There’s no doubt puppies are adorable. Who doesn’t love those soft bright eyes and warm bellies? It makes you just want to take one home. If you’re planning on adding a brand new baby dog to your family, there are some things you should keep in mind.
Puppies don’t stay small forever, and dogs have a lifespan of 10-15 years. Be sure you’re ready for the commitment ahead and have the time to dedicate to all the puppy’s needs even as they grow.
Puppies don’t come pre-installed with all the things you want them to know. If you’d like your adorable pup to become a well-behaved house companion, you need to invest in teaching them all the right skills. One of the biggest challenges to have patience with is potty training. If you personally feel stumped on this issue, try consulting a professional trainer to walk you through the process so that you achieve adequate progress.
Teething is something puppies begin to experience once they arrive home at around 8-10 weeks old. In order to spare your shoes, furniture, or any other valuable belongings, get prepared ahead of time. Make sure they’re never left loose and unattended and have some soothing chewable items they can engage in. These can be anything like an old rag that’s run under water and frozen into shapes in the freezer, or you can purchased dedicated teething toys and rubber toys specialized for puppies.
Nap time is important! Just like with growing babies and toddlers, it’s important that they get enough sleep during the day. They usually take care of this themselves, but if you’ve got a pup that likes to run amok, set aside dedicated time periods to put them in a quiet and secluded spot and let them rest. 12 hours is pretty commonplace for young pups until they’re around 6 months old.
Puppies go through life stages that include fear periods while they’re growing up. So if your puppy begins to act differently, be sure you’re in touch with a professional who can help direct you in what to do while your dog goes through these changes. Your puppy didn’t suddenly change, they’re probably just going through some hormonal fluctuations that, with the right attention, settle right back into an appropriate temperament.
We hope all these things give you some perspective on what to expect when raising a puppy. If you ever need any help, we have dedicated private trainers that can be available to assist and inform you even before you bring your puppy home.
