what is the best thing to know about having a brand new puppy?

Answer 1

The Puppy’s Rule of Twelve
Positive Paws Dog Training

Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include treats and lots of praise. Slow down and add distance if your puppy is scared!
By the time a puppy is 12 weeks old, it should have:
(If your puppy is over 12 weeks start right away with this socialization guide.)

Experienced 12 different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc......

Played with 12 different objects: fuzzy toys, big & small balls, hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard items, milk jugs, metal items, car keys, etc.......

Experienced 12 different locations: front yard (daily), other people’s homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (just to say hi & visit, lots of cookies, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc....

Met and played with 12 new people (outside of family): include children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc….

Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep positive and watch puppy’s comfort level – we don’t want the puppy scared): garage door opening, doorbell, children playing, babies screaming, big trucks, Harley motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc…

Exposed to 12 fast moving objects (don’t allow to chase): skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, children playing soccer, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc…

Experienced 12 different challenges: climb on, in, off and around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide & seek, go in and out a doorway with a step up or down, exposed to an electric sliding door, umbrella, balloons, walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a small rock underneath), jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub (and bath) etc....

Handled by owner (& family) 12 times a week: hold under arm (like a football), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner’s legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold and take temperature (ask veterinarian), hold like a baby, trim toe nails, hold in lap, etc…

Eaten from 12 different shaped containers: wobbly bowl, metal, cardboard box, paper, coffee cup, china, pie plate, plastic, frying pan, Kong, Treatball, Bustercube, spoon fed, paper bag, etc......

Eaten in 12 different locations: back yard, front yard, crate, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend’s house, car, school yard, bathtub, up high (on work bench), under umbrella, etc....

Played with 12 different puppies (or safe adult dogs) as much as possible.
Left alone safely, away from family & other animals (5-45 minutes) 12 times a week.
Experienced a leash and collar 12 different times in 12 different locations.

Answer 2

The most important things to know (sorry, could not choose only one) are

1 He/she is scared because he no longer has mom or littermates for comfort, so be gentle and patient.

2 He/she will need to go to the bathroom about 10-25 minutes after eating or drinking something, so make sure you pay really close attention to him/her.

3 He/she will need a quiet, warm place to go to sleep during the day and at night, so get the puppy a crate or a bed of his/her own.

4 You need to start training the puppy now, before it is too late and the puppy decides that he/she is the boss, so take the puppy to obedience classes or do it yourself. Your puppy will thank you later.

5 Your puppy will be your best friend for the rest of his/her life, so take great care of him/her by making sure shots are up to date and you have a sturdy leash and harness.

6 Don't ask other dog lovers for advice, because we will give you too much.

I hope I have not bored you too much, but thanks for letting me share what I know with you.

Best of luck with your new puppy!!

Answer 3

The best thing is their breath. Brand new baby puppy breath has a smell like nothing else. It is pure, fresh, and clean. Take a deep smell of it. It doesn't last for very long, but you will always remember it.
Then do all the stuff the other people said.

Answer 4

IT needs to pee about every two hours AROUND the clock. It is gonna chew anything in the puppy zone (where ever puppy can get to). It is scared and it is a BABY.. Just like any other baby, the world is new and it doesn`t know anything about anything.. It doesn`t know not to walk off the couch.. You need to take it to the vet`s for exam and shots.. Your vet can tell you way better than anyone on here can. They are pack animals and don`t like being alone..

Never EVER call the dog to YOU and punish it. It will think you are punishing it FOR coming to you .. and will NOT trust you..


Good luck with your new baby.. God bless and Good luck..{:-)

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Answer 5

You probably don't have to be told to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your puppy.

Second best thing to know: take your puppy to puppy classes at your local humane society, animal shelter, or PetSmart as soon as he/she is old enough. (and even continue the obedience classes if possible) It'll be the best thing you ever do for your dog!

Answer 6

oooo i can help yesterday got a 6 week old lab! ok they pee alot! but here is how 2 train them! its called cage training! if a dog is aboput 2 go #1 or #2 clap ur hands REALLY LOUD and say NO! then pick her up and run her outside! after she goes 2 the restroom outside, praise her. besides that, pups r AWESOME. also they chew everything get him/her a toy or ball and make sure not 2 let her/he bite u cause she/he will do it l8r (like 5 yrs)

Answer 7

Spay or neuter
Crate train
Attend dog obedience class
Those are the best things you can do for your new puppy!

Answer 8

You need lots and lots of patience, no. one. To house break him, try to feed him the same time each day and take him outside immediately after he eats. This way he will learn that after he eats he need to go out. That is just the beginning. If you have another dog try to take him where the other dog has done his job. That will help too.

Answer 9

puppies are an awful lot like babies.... only they grow up much faster.... they poddy within 15 -20 minutes of eating usually... they need lots of sleep, lots of cuddles, and lots of attention..... play time...

they will chew everything in the house when teething....make sure you start right from the beginning on teaching what is ok to chew on... you dont want to give the dog the impression that chewing any and everything is ok...

always praise your dog when he does good..... ALWAYS!! that encourages your dog to do good behavior.....
when you take him outside and he goes poddy.. praise him!
dont expect a puppy to be able to control his bowels or bladder... like a young baby, they just cant do it... its up to you to make sure the puppy gets outside frequently enough....

Answer 10

You are going to lose sleep and you are going to love the puppy.

Answer 11

Consistency.

This is the key to raising a good dog.

Please take your dog to classes for obedience and get it fixed! Enjoy your bundle of joy!