By Sarah Groves Dog Training - puppy training specialist Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot
Having a new puppy isn't an easy task - and knowing where to start and what to do for the best can be a HUGE challenge!
As a puppy trainer, I have worked alongside HUNDREDS of puppy owners who just want to make sure they are doing everything they can to give their puppy an awesome start, so that they can live in harmony together for the next 15 years!
So here are my TOP 5 TIPS that I feel that EVERY puppy owner should know!
Tip #1 - Create a safe and quiet space for rest
DID YOU KNOW..... Your puppy will need about 17 hours of sleep per day!?
This amount of sleep is required so that your puppy can thrive, grow and be in a good mindset to learn
Providing your pup with a safe and secure space where they can have regular naps through the day will make a huge difference for you and your pup.
Lots of sleep will help to prevent puppy biting from becoming out of hand, and will give you some well deserved rest too!
A crate, play pen or gated area will be ideal for this.
Make sure your pups sfe space is comfortable, inviting and a positive experience from day 1.
Tip #2 - You will need TONNES AND TONNES of patience!
Your puppy is just a baby and knows NOTHING about the world just yet.
It takes time for your puppy to learn what is expected of them.
Your puppy will bite, chew, get into trouble, pee in your house, chase the cat and will want to follow you EVERYWHERE you go!
Expect your puppy to make mistakes and have accidents now and then.
Good management strategies to prevent your puppy from getting in to too much trouble will help, along with taking a deep breath for when your puppy does cause mischief!
Tip #3 - Invest in training
Your puppy is going to be a part of your family for the next 15 years – learning how to teach your puppy core skills along with how to behave in the world that you put them into will help to set them up for success and make your life easier in the long run!
The more your puppy learns, the more of a vocabulary they will build - so then when you DO want something from them, they are MUCH more likely to know what you want, and do what you ask.
Training takes time, repitition, learning and understanding but it's 100% worth your efforts.
Tip #4 - Make your puppy feel safe and secure
It’s very normal for a puppy to feel insecure for the first few nights at their new home with you.
You can tackle this by allowing their bed/crate in your bedroom or sleep downstairs with them for the first few nights until your puppy feels safe with a structured night time routine, and then you can start to create distance.
Out of these options, If possible, my first suggestion would be for your pup to sleep upstairs with you n their crate or pen. This allows you to get a good, comfortable nights sleep in your own bed - you will need all the rest you can get!
Tip #5 - Know that it's normal to feel overwhelmed - but there's loads of help and support out there!
The puppy stage IS HARD, FRUSTRATING and things don't always go to plan in the straightforward way that you imagined when you first though about getting a puppy.
You spend MOST of your time making sure that they are getting enough sleep, eating the right food, going to the toilet outside, getting enough mental stimulation, play and a socialisation experience - this is almost a full time job in itself ON TOP of juggling everything else that life throws at you on a day to day!
It's no wonder things feel overwhelming sometimes!
BUT rest assured, the puppy stage won't last forever and there is PLENTY of good quality and qualified dog trainers out there who will be able to help!
Need puppy training support and live in Swansea, Neath or Port Talbot?
Take a look at my puppy training program - The Puppy Solutions Program - which is designed to provide you with full puppy training help, guidance, advice and support.
Get in touch to book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation where we will have a good indepth chat about you, your pup, where you are with training and where you would like to get to, alsong with some hints and tips to get you started.