by Daniel Bell
So you’ve decided to adopt a puppy into your family, that’s so exciting. The chances are that you and your children are incredibly excited about your new addition. Of course, while adding a dog to your family is an exciting prospect. You’re probably also feeling a little apprehensive, especially if you’ve never owned one before. Your main concern is probably that the new puppy won’t settle in well. You may also be stressing about dealing with puppy behaviour – young dogs are notorious for biting, chewing and whining.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can make integrating a puppy into your family easier. So try not to worry, adding a puppy to your family isn’t something to panic about, it’s something to enjoy. It’s just a case of knowing what you’re doing, and what the best ways to deal with your new addition are. Here is a list of all the best tips for making it easier to deal with your new addition and integrate him or her successfully into your family.
Have a Routine and Rules in Place from the Start
The most important thing that you can do to make life with your new puppy easier is have a routine from the start. From the minute you bring your new addition home, he or she is learning what’s acceptable behaviour. So from the start, you need to have a routine and rules in place and ensure that they’re stuck to.
For instance, if you don’t want your dog sleeping on the sofa, from the moment you bring them home make them aware that the couch is off limits. In terms of sleeping, if you don’t want your dog sleeping upstairs with you, on the first night shut him or her downstairs and ignore the cries. It might be hard, but if you want a well-behaved dog, you need to be firm from the start.
Take Your Puppy to Training Classes
To wean your puppy out of his or her naughty behaviours puppy training is a must. The earlier you start taking him or her to class, the better. As soon as your pup has had all their vaccinations, you can then start taking them to training classes.
Training classes are important. As not only will you learn how to control and train your pup, but they’ll also allow your dog to socialise with other dogs and people. If you want your puppy to grow into a friendly dog, socialisation at a young age is essential. There are plenty of training choices to choose from, so it’s a good idea to take some time doing your research. Think about the type of training your puppy needs, and ask yourself whether one-on-one training or group classes would be best.
Get a Crate for Your Puppy
For those times when your puppy is being a little terror or has exhausted themselves running about, having a crate can be great. Dog crates are a fantastic tool for ensuring that your dog is as well behaved as possible. The most important thing if you’re going to use a crate for your dog is to use it from the day you bring him or her home. And also to make it as comfortable and cozy as possible. To find out more about the ins and outs of crate training, do some research and have a read.
So while bringing a new puppy home may be stressful at first, there are plenty of things that you can do to make life easier. Be strict from the start, take your puppy to training classes, and invest in a dog crate. Do these things and you’ll find being a puppy parent much less stressful.
