If you want a better Dog then Raise a better Puppy
Howdy,
If you have been to my site before then you will see that I have rearranged a few things. I removed and turned what had been my first post into a page. It’s not published yet but soon.
So to replace that first post I think this is the most appropriate thing that I can write. When I used to do the sporting shows my demonstration was titled If you want a better dog then raise a better puppy. It would be impossible for me to get all the information from that demo in a single post. It was a two hour demonstration.
However, what I would like to talk about, is the importance of the first 6 months for you and your dogs life.
You will hear me say how really nice it is to have a well mannered, mentally healthy, happy dog. And that is easily possible but it takes some effort and patience and it begins the first day that your new best friend lands on your doorstep.
The only way to raise a better puppy is to have a well thought out strategy
You only get this time ONE TIME don’t let it pass without putting it to good use. And it does not matter what breed of dog it is this goes for all dogs
It is amazing how many people that I run into that still believe that you really can’t start training a dog until it get’s to be some predetermined age. That is not the case, you can and you should begin training just about as soon as you get your new pup.
In future posts I will get into specific topics like housebreaking, walking on a leash etc. This article is a little more about general things that you can do to make sure that you really do raise a better puppy.
First thing is to make sure that you choose well. Take time to decide what breed and gender, don’t buy on emotion choose your pup based on conscious choices.
Make sure that you have everything ready before you get your pup home. A kennel ( crate ), collar, leash, dog food, toys, baby gate if needed. make sure your house is safe from exposed electric cords that are easy to get to, no items that could be poison to a dog. Imagine letting a 3 year old child loose in your house for about an hour and then you will see things differently.
Develop a plan for how you are going to raise the pup. Do you know how you are going to housebreak your pup, do you have a schedule worked out. Young puppies can not be ignored. They need to eat 3 x’s a day, they need play time, as much outdoor time as possible, and then there are the training related items to consider. What do you want your puppy to know, sit, here/come, down, wait, etc. You need to have a plan as far as what and how you are going to train your pup. Have you chosen a veterinarian?
Have the mindset to Raise a Better puppy
In future posts I will get into specific topics like housebreaking, walking on a leash etc. This article is a little more about general things that you can do to make sure that you really do raise a better puppy.
First thing is to make sure that you choose well. Take time to decide what breed and gender, don’t buy on emotion choose your pup based on conscious choices.
Make sure that you have everything ready before you get your pup home. A kennel ( crate ), collar, leash, dog food, toys, baby gate if needed. make sure your house is safe from exposed electric cords that are easy to get to, no items that could be poison to a dog. Imagine letting a 3 year old child loose in your house for about an hour and then you will see things differently.
In my training program there are two major areas that need to stay consistent. The first is how you treat your dog. I can sum up in four words how my dogs are treated: Firm, Fair, Consistent and Patient.
Firm does not mean heavy handed, firm does not indicate any type of capitol punishment whatsoever. Firm means just what the definition says – in a resolute and determined manner.
Somebody is going to lead the pack, with my dogs it needs to be me. I have certain expectations based on age appropriate abilities. So I treat my dogs in a resolute and determined manner.
You have to be fair with your dogs. This is no different than how I try to treat the people in my life. Everybody, including the dogs get treated with fairness. If I’m having a bad day, I don’t take it out on my dogs any more than I take it out on my kids or my wife. If my dogs are having a bad day I don’t tell them to do things that would be unfair at that moment. Yes dogs have bad days too.
Consistency is very important, in everything you do with your dog. Schedules are important, the feeding schedule, when you take your pup outside, how you communicate with your dog. The need to be consistent can not be overstated.
The last one is patience. Remember these little guys are not born knowing stuff. They need to be taught, to be nurtured. Having a good plan will help, but things happen. Shoes get chewed as does furniture. There will probably be some mistakes when it comes to housebreaking. All manner of things are possible and you need to be patient. You don’t get to hit your dog, yelling at your dog does no good either. You want your dog to trust you, You want to develop a close relationship with your dog. Patience is a definite virtue when it comes to raising a dog.
The second major area that I focus on with my younger dogs is time.
I would like to encourage you to spend as much time with your dog as you possible can in that first 4 months, assuming you get your dog when it is around the 8 week old period. The first six months of a dogs life is really critical. Take advantage of it. Do everything that you can with your pup. Expose him/her to everything you can. Start your training soon after your pup gets home and settled in. Start with some lease training, work on some puppy sits. The more that you can expose and challenge your pups little mind the better your dog will develop.
If you take the time to raise a better puppy, then I can assure you that you will end up with a much better dog!
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Happy Tails!
Jeff