If you’re planning on welcoming a sweet four-legged member into your family soon, you’re probably so excited for some sweet puppy snuggles. While those are amazing, there’s a lot more to it. There’s very good reasoning behind the belief that raising a puppy is a lot of work, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be a lot of fun. Being prepared and educating yourself will go a long way in your journey. If you could use some guidance, keep reading. Here are some tips for training, bonding with and enjoying your newest family member.
Focus on Housebreaking and Be Prepared For Accidents
Puppies are known for lots of things, and accidents in the house is a big one. However with proper training, you won’t be dealing with them for too long.
Don’t wait to work on this until you find yourself wondering how to get pee out of a mattress. Start on the housebreaking process as soon as you bring your puppy home. Getting into a routine and keeping a schedule will be critical to your success, so give this part your all. As a general rule, puppies should be brought outside after meals, waking up and before going down for a nap. In addition to that, plan on bathroom trips every two hours.
In the beginning stages of housebreaking, it’s important to keep your puppy on a leash. Try to use the same area of your yard each time you go outside to establish his territory and increase his sense of familiarity. A great way to help your puppy communicate is to hang a bell on the door, ringing it each time you go outside. Eventually your puppy will take it upon himself to ring the bell, letting you know when he has to go.
In the interim, being prepared to handle accidents inside is essential. Since it’s important to remove as much of the odor as possible, using the right cleaning products is important.
Always Reward Positive Behavior
While you’re getting prepared for your puppy’s arrival, don’t forget to stock up on the treats. Even though they might seem insignificant, each little treat will go a long way in your training journey.
It’s important to note the difference between bribery and rewarding. Even though it might be tempting to bribe your puppy to do something he might be stubborn (or hesitant) in doing, try to avoid this. By rewarding positive behaviors you’ll provide the positive reinforcement needed to continue whatever good behavior he’s exhibiting, such as going to the bathroom outside, sitting on command, or walking calmly on the leash. If you want clarity to make sure you’re training your pup, we recommend hiring a professional puppy trainer.
You don’t need to rely solely on store-bought treats, even though there are some great options available. Many puppies love healthier alternatives, such as bananas or cooked sweet potatoes. Keep in mind that not all foods are safe — some can even be fatal, so do your research before doing anything out.
Make Socialization a Priority
Getting your puppy out and about and familiar with the world away from your home is one of the most important things you can do. Not only will this type of socialization make life easier for everyone in the future when different people, animals and situations present themselves, it will ensure your puppy is comfortable and well-adjusted as well.
Don’t be afraid to bring your puppy to different places and expose him to new things. As long as you keep him safe, are mindful of his body language and keep yourself in check as well, these experiences will benefit him through puppy-hood and beyond.
Since you will be getting out regularly, make sure your puppy is outfitted with a properly fitting collar, ID tags and sturdy leash. Car safety is also important.
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