Puppy DOs and DON'Ts

If you were lucky enough to add a puppy to your family this holiday season, congratulations! Puppyhood is a special time as a pet parent! It will soon be the New Year, time to go back to work and back to school, and now you have a new furry friend to care for…what do you do? Here are some tips to help the transition into puppy parenthood!

DO be cautious when walking your puppy. If it is snowy outside, take care to protect your pet’s feet from ice and salt used on the sidewalks and streets. Read how to keep your dog’s paws safe outside here. Lawn decorations, including inflatables and giant plastic figurines, can be quite scary for a new puppy. Take caution around these objects and bring treats to entice the puppy to walk past anything that makes them uncomfortable.

DO provide your puppy with a safe place. Have a safe place for your dog to go when they are feeling overwhelmed with new situations or new people. Signs of stress in your puppy may include not wanting to greet a certain person or barking. A crate is a great tool that can help your dog feel safe when stressful activities are happening around them.

DO socialize your little furry family memeber. Your puppy is at a very impressionable age, so it is best to expose them to other dogs and people during this time period.

Puppy Socialization. Socialization is extremely important when it comes to your young puppy. Puppies may seem happy-go-lucky and invincible, but that behavior will not necessarily translate to adulthood unless you reinforce those behaviors by socializing your dog. Letting dogs learn to interact in new situations while they are young is important because it creates the building blocks to a successful adult dog.

There are many lifelong benefits to presenting your dog with new scenarios while they are young. Introducing them to other people, other dogs, new situations and different environments while encouraging positive interaction is especially critical during what is called the “Puppy Socialization Window.”

Puppies 8-16 weeks old are in this window, which essentially means that puppies are a sponge; they will soak up everything they are exposed to. Failing to socialize your dog during this time period could lead to behavior problems during their adult life. Begin socializing your dog as much as you can during this young age!

DO form a routine. It is important to keep your dog on a consistent schedule. This applies to waking up every morning and keeping bedtime consistent, as well as feeding and walking your dog at similar times each day. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for your dog to adjust to their new home. A steady routine will also help your pet to have fewer accidents in the house.

DON’T slack on potty training. Extreme winter temperatures might make going for a walk seem like a huge chore, but just because it is cold outside doesn’t mean you can slack on potty breaks. Bundle up with your jacket and mittens and take your new puppy outside! If you have a short-haired or small dog, don’t forget to bundle them up too! A jacket will keep them nice and toasty during their winter walks.

DON’T feed your puppy food off the table. As tempting as it may be, don’t feed your new puppy food off the dinner table. Feeding your puppy scraps could lead to your dog begging or counter surfing as they grow older. Don’t forget, not all of your food is safe for your dog to eat. Better safe than sorry! If you really want to treat your dog to some of your feast, fix them their own plate and don’t feed it to them off the table. You can always stuff a rubber Kong toy with some dog-safe holiday food, this way it will keep them busy while keeping them safe. Chicken or turkey without the skin would be a great treat for your new pup, however, limit quantities to avoid an upset tummy.

DON’T overwhelm your new furry family member. While it is great to socialize your young puppy and have them meet as many new people as possible, be careful not to overwhelm your dog. Remember that your puppy is in a new situation and a bunch of strangers in your home can be quite scary. Have your dog meet as many people as they seem comfortable meeting, and if the situation seems to get a little scary, make sure you have a safe place for them to go!

While owning a new puppy means more responsibilities, it also brings more joy and happiness to your household! Like children, puppies grow so fast and it’s important to savor every moment! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, snuggle with your new puppy!