So you’ve met the breeder or the local rescue and are about to get a puppy or older dog. What do you do next? What do you need to do to get ready for the new arrival? Below are some basic steps to help you get off to a good start with your bundle of joy.
- Know what the dog is already being fed, and have that on hand.
- Ask what training has already been done with the dog.
- Have a crate appropriate for the dog’s size ready with his water bucket already inside.
- Have a copious and ready supply of high-value treats.
- Exercise the dog/puppy to burn off extra energy
- Have lots of patience.
Whenever you get a new dog they are used to the food from where they are from. There are many schools of thought for food for your four-legged friends. Wheather you feed raw or kibble one thing is consistent, you never want to abruptly change a dogs food. An abrupt change in the dog’s food will cause gastric distress which is never a good thing. If you are going to change what the dog is eating it is best to do this over many feedings, slowly lowering what you no longer want to feed and more of what you want to feed them. Doing this over 1-2 weeks will give the dogs gut a chance to adjust to the new formula. Choice of food is also very important. There are many dog foods that claim to be healthy and good for your dog. Whenever looking at kibble you want to look for animal protein and fats, dogs are carnivores, they do not process plant base protein the same. There are many websites dedicated to reviewing dog food.
Knowing what training the dog has already been exposed to will help you in knowing where to start/continue with his training. If you’ve got a puppy from a breeder who uses the “Puppy Culture” system of rearing her puppies, then the puppy should already know what a clicker is and what it means. You will be able to move quickly through the clicker loading and onto other things. When I get a new dog or puppy, I go through what has already been taught to reinforce that training. By doing something the dog already knows she builds confidence with her new partner. Whether I am receiving a puppy or an older dog I always start with the basics, bit helps build confidence and a bond with the dog.
Dogs are “den” animals in their core. Having an appropriately sized crate for them when they get to their new home gives them a place they can retreat to. If the dog has been properly crate trained they will see the crate as their “house”. I keep the dog’s water bucket in the crate, and I feed the dog’s in their crates. If you have multiple dog’s this can become important By feeding in the crate I can control how much they eat, and what they eat. Even with one dog in the home using the crate is important. Giving the dog a safe spot to eat without disturbance is important. Another use of the crate is to be able to put the dog in a safe place when you have guests in your home. A crate can also be a safe place for your dog if you have young kids. Young kids naturally love dogs and want to play with them, but the way humans play is not the same as puppy play. Having a place to put your puppy or new dog when they get too rambunctious will be a house saver.
When training your puppy they need a reward for doing good. Your breeder should have an idea of what type of treats you puppy likes, make sure you have some on hand. I have found that rewarding for something good gets me a much quicker and longer lasting result. This includes potty training. I use clicker training when housebreaking my new puppies so now all my dogs want to go out and do their business then get their reward. As the dogs get older I no longer give the rewards, but they are trained to do where I want them to go. This concept goes for all behavior. I also keep treats in my pocket so when the new dog/puppy comes to me he gets a treat. This makes them want to come to me all the time. By rewarding when the dog comes to me, if the dog “escapes” from the house, I will be able to do a quick recall and get her back. This also helps with the bond with the dog. If you plan to do any competing with your dog, your bond is very important.
Young dogs have lots of energy, just like young children. Left to their own devices they will become destructive. You can buy tons of toys for the puppy, and they will all be destroyed in no time. This is because the puppy or older dog has so much pent-up energy. If you take them out and play with them to wear them down somewhat you can save a lot of home destruction. If you notice the puppy if chewing up everything in sight, it is a good chance that it is just that the dog has a lot of nervous energy. Re-direct the dog’s attention from the chair leg and get them out and playing using that energy for play instead of chewing. Consistent exercise of your puppy will also help her grow healthy and strong. This goes for both big and little dogs. Exercise will keep big and small dogs happy and healthy.
When you get your new puppy home there will be a time of adjustment. Have patience with her. You will both be getting used to each other, plus she is getting used to a new environment. She will want to explore a lot. If you have a young puppy she will be excited and not realize her bodily needs for some time. During the first several day’s or weeks pay closer attention to her so you can learn her signals for her needs. If you have fed her in her crate and she’s had her calm time after eating, when you let her out, take her right outside to take care of her needs. The more you can pay attention to her body language and anticipate her needs the quicker she will learn what you want also.
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