Puppy Preparedness 101

This time of year, I am reminded at how many adult dogs (and cats) end up in shelters across America each year, because this is the time of year I volunteer my expertise to help our local Humane Society raise money to help these abandoned and often abused pets.  Some of these animals were precious puppies who came to live with families as sort of a ‘spontaneous purchase’.  What I mean by that is, the decision to get a puppy is only the first step. Preparing your environment, your schedule and your life for the time and energy commitment it takes to get both you and your new puppy off to a good, healthy start should not be taken lightly.  So, as someone with a fair amount of experience in raising happy puppies in a healthy home environment, I thought I’d share my thoughts…

•    The first thing I’d like to mention, is that when making the decision to bring a dog into the family, PLEASE do some research first to find out what ‘breed qualities’ best fit your lifestyle and the life of the dog you are adopting.  I happen to love Dalmatians, however I don't have kids, I lead a quiet lifestyle and do not have a fenced yard. Dalmatians are people-oriented, fun-loving family dogs that are high-energy and need daily exercise and a fenced yard.  So, as much as I adore this breed, it would not be a good choice for me.  If you are adopting from your local shelter, and I sincerely hope you are, then you will be most likely adopting a mixed breed.  These are great choices, because for the most part a mixed breed dog has a nice combination of characteristics that let that dog run and play with high energy when it gets the opportunity, and be just as happy laying on the sofa all day when it’s raining.  Mixed breeds are often much more resilient to disease and medical issues that often come with the territory of purebred breeds.

Before puppy comes home, be prepared!
•    Dogs are pack animals, they NEED to part of the family, they need to live and eat with the family.  If you want a pet that will live in the backyard 20 out of 24 hours a day…please don’t get a dog.  Invest in a kennel.  Put the kennel in the room you sleep in.  This kennel will become the pups den, a safe place for puppy to go when you are away from the house or when the pup needs to rest.  A kennel SHOULD NOT be used for punishment!  A puppy raised to ‘go to their room’ when you leave the house and go to bed at night, will gladly go to their kennel with wagging tail in anticipation of a little treat.  This is a place where puppy is safe from other pets, electrical cords, harmful plants and all the dangers of a home when you can’t supervise them.
•    So, how do you punish puppy?  Invest in a puppy or child gate.  Use this, if at all possible, at the entrance to the kitchen.  Give the puppy the kitchen as a place to play, be with the family and eat when not out with the family learning the rules of the house, on walks or outside playing.  If puppy does something in the house while getting freedom to explore your home, stop the behavior calmly, put the pup behind the gate and leave the room.  Pups, like children, don’t like timeouts and don't like being alone, this works!
•    Before puppy comes home, prepare your home almost as you would for a toddler.  If you take the advice of the puppy gate, take up rugs and anything from the floor that puppy can chew or knock over and replace with puppy approved items.  A bed to rest in, non-tipping water and food bowls and toys for playing and chewing.  Don’t get made at a dog for chewing something that isn’t theirs if you don’t bother to teach them what is theirs and what is yours.  If a dog has your shoe in their mouth, simply replace it with one of their chew toys and put the shoe away.  Dogs are smart, they figure this stuff out quickly when we are calm and consistent with our conditioning.  Anything a puppy can put in its mouth and swallow needs to be put away for a while.
•    Where will puppy potty?  I am very much against using those potty pads in the house.  To me, they simply teach the dog where to do their business and you may never get them to stop going there, even when the pads are removed.  Dogs go potty outside; they prefer it so teach them young.  Have a safe, fenced in place preferably with dirt or grass that you take puppy to for going potty.  This is important, so read it twice…Puppies have to go potty 20-minutes after they eat, drink, play or sleep.  So, you can house break them very quickly and easily if you pay attention to them and provide the opportunity by taking them outside to their potty spot and waiting for them to do their business. Be observant!  Puppy will never learn how to tell you they need to go out if you aren't watching their body language. When they do go potty outside for you, PRAISE them!  Good Potty!! Good Girl!!  Give them a little treat when you come back in so you continue to reinforce the behavior you want.
•    Last, let’s talk raising a healthy pup.  Read labels!  There are very few treats out there that are recommended for puppies under 6-months.  Terrific choices to use for training are raw or home-dehydrated fruits and vegetables.  If you raise your pup on fresh apple, carrots, green beans, banana chips and the like…they will consider them the finest treats and do anything for that reward.  NO GRAPES, ONION, CHIVES, AVOCADO, RAW POTATO, KIWI, or MUSHROOM (check with your vet for other things to stay away from such as chocolate).
There is much more to offer in my ‘learned lessons bag’, so we'll chat more in the next newsletter.  For now, please keep in mind that there are 3 to 4 million pets nationwide euthanized every year.  60% of those are unwanted dogs.  Please do your part by being properly prepared when you decide to adopt, and when you do, please choose to save a life from your local animal shelter. 

Please have a discussion with your veterinarian about my recommendations and happy puppyhood!