Raising a dog from
puppy to mature adult is rewarding experience, but also pretty
exhausting. Much like human babies, puppies tug at our heartstrings
and we sometimes give into their whims. But, just as with humans, it
is very easy to spoil a puppy and end up with an annoying pet
instead of the sweet companion you wanted.
Puppies need almost
constant supervision and guidance. They actively explore the world
around them, which puts them at risk for injury or poisoning.
Puppies, like all dogs, use their mouths to learn about items that
interest them. If they mouth an object and like the taste or
texture, they will continue to chew on it. If that object is a roach
trap or electrical cord, your puppy's curiosity might prove fatal.
If you can't
supervise your pup at all times, use baby gates or other barriers to
create a large, confined space for her to play in. Try to choose a
spot that people spend a lot of time in. The more time spent with
family members, the more quickly and deeply your puppy will bond
with them.
Give her something
soft to lie on, a few toys to play with, and a bowl of clean water.
People often ask pet experts when is the best time to begin training
a puppy. Most experts agree that training should begin the moment
your puppy enters your home. They aren't talking about learning to
heel or sit and stay for long periods of time, but the fact that the
first thing you must train your puppy to understand is that you are
the boss. Usually, dog trainers refer to this as making yourself the
"leader of the pack."
Dogs are pack animals
by nature, and therefore instinctively look to a leader for
approval. If you don't make it clear that you are the leader, your
pup may try to take that role. You don't have to be aggressive to
assert your dominance. Small, subtle acts communicate your
leadership more successfully than loud roughness. In fact, handling
your puppy harshly will only make her afraid and diminish her
ability to bond with you.
One of the first
behaviors you can teach your puppy at a very young age is to sit.
Place one hand on her chest, and the other on her rump. As you give
the command to "sit," push down on her rump and up on her chest to
guide her into a sitting position. Give her lots of verbal praise in
a high-pitched voice, and perhaps a treat.
Now, every time you
feed her, make her sit before you put her bowl down. Trainers refer
to this as the "nothing in life is free" technique. Your pup learns
quickly that you control the food, and that she must please you in
order to eat. This establishes your leadership in her eyes. The key
to raising the "best dog ever" is compassion, patience, and love.
Give your puppy plenty of those things, and you'll reap the rewards
for many years to come.
CSRNE does not adopt to families with children
under the age
of 7 years.
