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<\/p>\nBringing home a new puppy is a big event and it\u2019s your job to raise them to be confident and successful in the world. Having helped over 12,000 dogs (and their owners) since 2010, we\u2019ve been asked a lot of questions from new puppy owners over the years.<\/p>\n
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Here are answers to the top 5 questions we\u2019re asked:<\/p>\n
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When your puppy eliminates outside, throw a party! Wait until they\u2019ve finished (so you don\u2019t distract them), praise them, pet them, and give them a treat. Take your puppy outside often – every two hours to start. In addition, take them outside after any of these events:<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t supervise your puppy directly, confine them so your puppy can\u2019t wander throughout your home and have accidents. If your puppy does have an accident, stay calm, wait for them to finish and take them outside to ensure they don\u2019t have to go anymore.<\/p>\n
Do not punish your puppy! Punishing your puppy for accidents will scare them from eliminating while you are watching, which includes outdoors.<\/p>\n
You should avoid rushing back to your puppy if they cry when left alone, but it\u2019s better to go slowly so they don\u2019t cry at all. Get your puppy used to being alone by confining them briefly when you are still at home so they are calm while being physically separated from you.
\nCreate a \u201csafe place\u201d for your puppy like a crate, exercise pen, or baby-gated area of your home
\nPut them in their safe place with something good to eat like a kong with wet food or a favourite chew item.<\/p>\n
Once they\u2019re busy with their item, try short departures from them. Answer emails, put on the laundry, or other chores around the house to help build your puppy\u2019s confidence at being separated from you. These short departures set them up to succeed when you actually leave the house.<\/p>\n
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When your puppy is in a biting mood, redirect them to appropriate items to bite (plush toys, tug ropes, bones, chews, etc). You can teach your puppy to bite less by saying \u201cOuch!\u201d when they bite too hard. If they are too excited, you may need to calm them down with some quiet time in their safe space. Lastly, never play games where you deliberately encourage your puppy to bite
\nyour hands. It\u2019s normal for puppies to nip, and later, as their puppy teeth fall out, they will stop nipping altogether.<\/p>\n
Praise and treat your puppy whenever they are walking nicely with you. Puppies need to be taught
\nhow to walk on a leash and may frequently refuse to move. If your puppy tends to freeze, return to their side and encourage them to come with you instead of pulling them along. You may also pick them up, walk a few steps, and put them down again. Most puppies improve quickly.<\/p>\n
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Right away! It\u2019s much easier to teach your puppy good manners and establish good habits now, rather than having to correct unwanted behaviour later. Also, puppies have a crucial socialization period between 8 – 16 weeks of age where they need to experience new people, places, things, and other dogs. Enroll in a puppy socialization class that offers a safe, controlled environment where the focus is on careful socialization and play.<\/p>\n
Start ANY time<\/strong> – We accept new students at any time, so\u00a0you can start socializing your new puppy right away.<\/p>\n Flexible Schedules<\/strong> – Puppy Start Right classes are scheduled multiple days and times a week – mix and match classes for greater flexibility.<\/p>\n Convenient Locations<\/strong> – Puppy Start Right classes are held at all of our locations!<\/p>\n