TRAINING INFORMATION
***click the link above for a week by week training guide***
Bringing a new puppy home can be exciting and scary at the same time. If you are a first time dog owner or haven’t had a puppy in a number of years, the prospect can feel daunting. Have no fear!! With preparation and understanding, you will have a wonderful experience.
The first and most critical step is finding a breeder you completely trust and who you can communicate with. Much of your puppy’s habits and adaptability are because of the training a breeder puts in before they go home. The more interaction, training and structure… the better prepared they are for their new life with you.
Ask LOTS of questions. A good breeder will never make you feel badly about your questions and will always try to guide you through. Make a list of things you’d like to know and and don’t be shy about the hard questions. This is not only a beloved pet for you, but a large investment of money and years.
I am always happy to answer questions, even to those who are not purchasing one of my puppies or already have dogs. Never hesitate to reach out to me… no matter the situation.
What we do!
Our puppies start their lives in the comfort of our living room, surrounded by our family and watched over constantly. I am home 90% of the time, so our puppies always have direct care and observation. Our moms are monitored throughout the day/night and all needs or concerns are addressed immediately.
From three days old our puppies are introduced to gentle handling, novel smells and sounds. They are weighed two times a day to ensure proper weight gain and health.
Starting at approximately 3 weeks, we introduce toys and potty grass. The sooner they are aware of keeping their sleeping area clean, and eliminating in a specific area, the easier potty training is. We change their toys daily to ensure a clean environment and keep their interest.
At three to four weeks we start introducing grooming practices. This includes, handling their paws, ears, tail and mouth. We use all the tools that they will encounter in their lives… such as nail clippers, Dremel, brushes, tooth brush, blow dryer and various cleaning products. We work diligently on their nails especially so that they are completely comfortable by the time they go home.
After their first vaccination, we allow others to start holding and interacting with them. Take them in the car and start exposing them to outside noises, smells and interactions. During this time we also play loud sounds of thunderstorms, traffic noises and fireworks. This is to help prevent anxiety later in life. At this time we introduce group crate training and individual crate time. It’s so Important to start crate training here to ease their transition into your home. A crate should become their safe area and a place they can feel calm and protected.
We also start working on some conditioning exercises, such as “Wait”, “Quiet” and “puppy, puppy, puppies”. This builds a foundation of communication, so they are ready to continue their training with you.
Bringing your puppy home.
The first thing to keep in mind when bringing your puppy home is, time. Things take time. Your puppy will be sorting though confusion and some insecurity. It takes about 3 days to 3 weeks for them to completely settle in, depending on their innate personality. Start establishing a consistent routine right away. Play time, feeding time, crate time, potty time, cuddle time. The more consistent you can be, the quicker they will adjust and know what you expect of them.
Puppies will cry. It’s ok for them to learn how to settle without our constant interference. If you know your puppy has been fed, taken to potty, played with and you’ve spent one on one time. You must let them settle on their own sometimes. Even if that means some crying and barking. Otherwise they will be prone to separation anxiety and it will be MUCH harder in the long term.
DON’T cuddle your puppy all the time when they first come home. Yes, they need cuddles and reassurance but they also need to learn that it’s ok to be alone, even if they cry a little. Remember, they have been around their siblings and many other dogs for their entire little lives. So, learning they are ok alone, is really important. This dose not mean completely ignoring them all the time but setting them up for success by getting them tired first and making sure all their needs are met, before asking them to be alone.
Start crate time as soon as you bring them home. Put their special blanket in with them, with a snuggle puppy and a toy or two (one they cannot destroy or choked on). They should also spend their first night in their crate. Even if that means sleeping on the floor next to them or putting the crate right next to your bed. Also try putting a shirt that you’ve slept with for several nights in the crate with them. By 12-14 weeks they should only need to potty once over night, as long as you’re picking up their food and water by 5:00. Try to set an alarm to get up and take them out instead of waiting for them to wake up and start to cry. You want to teach them that crying is not the answer to getting released from crate time. By 16 weeks they should be able to sleep though the night, sometimes sooner.
Set a timer for taking them out potty… every 30 minutes… if they don’t potty outside, set the timer for 15 minutes and try again. Set up your turf area near the door you wish to use for outside potties. Watch them carefully for cues: sniffing, circling, going away from you if you’re in the middle of playing.
As soon as they finish their puppy shots, sign them up for a puppy training class. I suggest avoiding large pet store classes and finding a local trainer that is certified in animal behavior. Make sure they also offer “Good Canine citizen” training. This will ensure they are teaching the proper things, in the correct way. I highly suggest this training for all my puppies as it can circumvent problems later on. Earlier is better!! Don't wait for a problem to arise, be proactive for you and your dog.
Remember, the puppy period only lasts a few short months. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming as a new puppy parent but, this too shall pass. Enjoy the snuggles, puppy breath and adorable antics. I am here for you. This is not a process that you need to face alone. Even if it’s in the middle of the night and you just need to tell another person what’s happening, I’m here. When you take your puppy home, it’s not the end of my desire to be involved in their lives. You have a lifetime resource and friend when you bring a puppy home from me. Please ask me ALL the questions. Even if you think it might be silly, ask. If your vet suggests something and you feel unsure, ask. If the pet food store recommends a product and you don’t know if it’s right for your dog or worth it, ask. If you need help with grooming and the proper tools, ask. You get the idea LOL.
Again, I will say it, you are not alone. I’m here to help! Enjoy your amazing puppy and may you have many years of happiness together.