Follow our top tips for a happy and well behaved puppy. Click on the links below to visit a section or scroll down this page to find out more.
Deciding to buy a puppy
- The first thing to consider when discussing dog training is the decision you make to own/buy a dog a dog in the first place. That decision shouldn’t be made lightly. Owning a dog is a responsibility, both to you, your children if you have them, the general public, other dog owners and the dog itself.
- By deciding to become a dog owner you have made a commitment to care and look after it, from feeding, to walking, to playing with it and training it. It’s important to remember that dogs love to be trained and enjoy having you in control of your relationship. If you have a well trained dog you will have a happy dog.
- Once you’ve decided to buy a puppy you need to consider a number of things, from where it will sleep, what you will feed it, down to the right time to bring it home and how to try and toilet train it.
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Bringing your puppy home
- Try to collect your puppy from the breeder early in the morning, so they have the rest of the day to settle down at their new home. When you collect the puppy put it in a travel crate in the car boot. Do not travel with the dog on your lap as this is not safe for you or the puppy.
- During the journey you may find that the puppy is sick. This is quite normal and another good reason to not have it on your lap during the journey.
- If the journey is a long one then put a puppy pad in the crate as it may want need to go to the toilet.
- Whether a long or short journey the puppy will be nervous. Therefore, as soon as you get home, take the puppy straight to the area (garden) you would like it to go to the toilet in, and stay with them until they go. When they do, give them lots of praise and a treat.
- Let the puppy investigate the house. Then put them in the crate for a sleep. Puppies do need a lot of sleep, and they also need to learn to be on their own. Don’t feel sorry for them, or take them with you to bed, as they will become too reliant on you when they get older. They must learn the rules of the house whilst they are a puppy.
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Using a crate/crate training
- When buying a puppy or rescue dog, a crate is a very good idea. When you first bring the puppy or dog home, show it the crate. Let it go in and out a few times, then put some treats in it so they get used to being in there.
- Leave the dog in the crate when you go to bed with the door closed. Don’t go back if the dog is crying – only let them out if they are quiet. You can leave a radio on or clock ticking for the first few nights, to give the dog some company.
- Choosing a crate the right size is important. The dog should be able to stand, lay down and turn around in it. Whilst they are young, just use a blanket or some cardboard to sleep on, as they will chew a good quality bed.
- If you decide to leave the dog a toy, make sure that it’s big enough so they can’t choke on it. Something like a beef hide bone or the ‘Kong’ toy.
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Feeding the puppy
- Stick to the routine the breeder has given you to start with. If you want to change their food, wait a few weeks and then do it very slowly.
- The decision on what to feed your dig is yours, although it is important to get them used to ‘dog food’ at a young age so as not to be fussy. The last thing you want is a grown-up dog that will only eat human food such as steak or chicken – this could get expensive. A decent quality dry mixer, mixed with water and tinned dog meat will be sufficient. Canned dog meat should only be introduced to the puppy slowly as per the breeder’s instructions.
- The puppy is likely to use a lot of energy during the day. It will therefore need feeding probably twice (breakfast and dinner) a day until it gets to around 6 months old. Then gradually phase out the breakfast. Milk and biscuits will suffice for breakfast.
- It is also a good idea to feed the dog after you/your family have eaten. This gets the dog used to the hierarchy in the family and will mean that it become less demanding as it gets older.
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Socialising the puppy
- Especially when it first arrives home, everyone will want to come and see the puppy. During this period try not to let the dog get too excited as this can cause it to be come restless in the future. Instead limit the time the dog spends with people during the first few days.
- Don’t let small children tease the puppy. They will see the children as a ‘play thing’ and will chase them and play bite. This will teach the puppy to be rough and can escalate as it gets older. It is also likely to hurt the child. Encourage children to treat the puppy with respect, stroking for it and caring for it. If the child runs from the puppy, the puppy will chase!
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Toilet training
- Take the puppy to the garden every twenty minutes when they are very young, as they have low bladder control. Reward your puppy when they do go to the toilet in the garden.
- Also ensure you take them out to the garden when they wake up, when they have been fed, and last thing at night.
- I use ‘be quick’ when the puppy is going to the toilet, so they get used to this and are able to go to the toilet on command. You can choose a suitable phrase for this.
- If you do need to clean up after the puppy indoors, mix up a plastic spray bottle with three parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water. When you have cleaned up with a shop brought cleaner, spray the mixture in the area. This will neutralise the smell so that the puppy won’t go back to the same spot.
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Collars/safety
- You will want your puppy to wear a collar to allow you further control. Introduce them to this by making them wear a soft collar for a short while every day. They will then get used to having something around their neck.
- It is a good idea to get an identity tag attached to the dog’s collar. This should contain simple contact details such as your telephone number. It is not a good idea to include the dogs name as dog thieves can use this to attract the dog’s attention.
- It is also a good idea to get your dog micro-chipped. Ask your vet about this.
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Injections
- Your puppy will not be allowed outside the house (other than in your garden) until after they have had their injections at 12 weeks.
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Car travel
- It is a good idea to take the puppy out in the car during the first 12 weeks to get them used to cars and traffic. Therefore, they won’t be as frightened when you start to take them out walking near roads.
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Brushing
- Start getting the puppy used to being brushed, by brushing them every day for a few minutes. As they start to accept it, give them a treat and plenty of praise.
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Training your puppy
- Basic training can begin the day you bring your puppy home. Keep treats around the house all the time, so you can reward the puppy straight away when it is good. This is so the puppy is able to straight away associate what they have done well with the reward.
- If you would like to book a training course for your puppy, book early as they can get very full. You are able to take your puppy to a training class after their 12 week injections.
By following the simple tips above you will make sure that your puppy begins life on the right foot that it’s behaviour doesn’t become difficult when it gets older.
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