New Puppy? Here are the 5 Questions to help Organize your Training.

1. Where will your puppy go when they are unsupervised?

Finding the right spot for your puppy to live while they are unsupervised is the key to house training, staying home alone, and limiting destructive behaviour around the house. 

It's important the dog can be left alone safely. Don't let the dog roam the whole house or even a large area. They will pee and poo everywhere and won’t learn that they are supposed to hold it. They will also find things to chew and could hurt themselves.

Common safe areas could include a crate, pen, or a room free of unsafe chew items and with a floor that can be soiled. (The kitchen is often a great choice). 

2. What will you do about puppy nipping?

The first thing you shouldn’t do is hold your puppy's mouth shut or flick it on the nose for nipping. This will cause hand shyness.

Instead, when your dog is nippy, replace your arm or pant leg with a dog toy. Have many dog toys around for this reason! If your dog is really nippy, it might be overtired and need a nap in a quiet room, pen, or crate.

It's important to remember that nipping is a phase (they are teething!) and there is only so much you can do about it. Dogs have all their adult teeth by 6 months of age and the problem often improves by then. Patiently redirect your dog’s teeth away from you and don’t get too mad.

Make sure children are quickly rescued from nipping puppies! They often get overwhelmed and can’t extract themselves.

3. How will you teach your puppy to be home alone?

People think they can approach this problem later, but in reality that can lead to disaster. Start preparing your puppy now for being left home alone. First do step one above! Have a safe spot to leave your puppy when they are unsupervised. Next, pick a routine time to leave your puppy in their safe spot. During your puppy’s morning nap is a great time. 

Even when you don’t have to leave the house, practice leaving your puppy in their safe spot for their nap(s). Work from another room. As your puppy ages, you can leave them home alone for longer. The amount of time varies by dog.

4. How will you communicate with your puppy?

Teaching your puppy to listen to basic directions like: come, let’s go, stay, and leave it are essential. The fastest way to do this is with food treats. (Don’t worry about using too many! It's best to be generous in rewarding behavior you want. Especially when they are a puppy). Your puppy needs a lesson every day! Make sure the treats are small or use food from their regular meal. 

5. How will you ensure healthy socialization? 

Dog socialization is all about creating positive experiences with both people and other dogs. Often, the humans are having fun, but the puppy isn't. Don’t trap the puppy on a leash or in someone’s arms. Instead, have the puppy loose (in a contained area) and the new people can sit on the floor and see if the puppy will approach them. Same goes with new dogs. Start with the puppy and new dog far apart. Gage their reactions. Have the puppy loose and introduce the new dog slowly.

Once you have your answers to these 5 questions, you’ve got a solid base on which to raise a happy and healthy puppy!

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