A New Puppy for Christmas
One of my favorite childhood memories is the year that my father decided to get my brother and I a new puppy for Christmas. He was the cutest thing we had ever seen, until he began destroying everything in sight!
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A puppy for Christmas is a great gift. But unfortunately, many "Christmas Puppies" soon end up at the local shelter or rescue organization not long after the holidays. One of the most common reasons for this is that the new owners were not equipped to train a puppy and quickly realize that puppies do not come with an on / off switch.
Here are some tips and tricks to save your sanity and help your new puppy become an enjoyable addition to the family:
- Routine – Puppies are like babies and children, they thrive when you have them on a routine. Establish a regular schedule for feedings, potty breaks and play time. Try to be as consistent as possible with your routine. Remember puppies have small bladders so they require frequent potty breaks.
- Rewards – Always reward good behavior with a treat (i.e. going potty outside, getting in their crate when told, etc.) There are many varieties of training treats at your local pet store.
- Commands – Use short phrases and words as commands and guide your puppy in completing the action or task you wish him/her to demonstrate. Such as "go potty outside" and then take them outside, "go to bed" and put them in their crate, "get down" and push them (gently) down off you or the furniture. Repetition, consistency and reward are key in teaching your dog desired behaviors.
- Crate Training – The crate is not only good for you, it is good for your puppy. A crate provides a safe environment for your puppy so that he/she cannot harm themselves or your possessions when they are unable to be supervised. It is not cruel to leave a puppy in a crate while you are away or unable to supervise them, as long as there is enough room for them to stand up and turn around. A crate actually makes your puppy feel safe as they are descendants from cave dwelling animals. However, you should not leave your dog in the crate for a period longer than 6 to 8 hours.
- Discipline – A spray bottle with cold water is really all you need to correct any undesirable behaviors. A few sprays will stop them from barking, growling or chewing and redirect them without being harmful or threatening.
- Chew Toys & Bones – Just like babies, puppies will go through a teething phase. Providing them with acceptable items to chew on will allow them to ease their pain without destroying your coffee table or favorite pair of shoes. Nyla bones and toys should be readily available anytime your puppy will be out of their crate. Teach them what is ok and what is not ok to chew. As a safety precaution, you should not leave your puppy alone with a bone or chew toy unsupervised as they can get debris lodged in their throat and possibly choke.
Remember owning a puppy is a learning experience for both of you. Exercise patience with your new "baby" and give them grace when they have an accident or chew on the wrong thing. By providing them with the right tools, routine, rewards and fair discipline they will learn the ropes quickly and become "Man / Women’s Best Friend"!
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By: Michael Rountree Larsen
