Welcome home, little doggy
A puppy – just one word and the image of a small dog brings a smile to your face, let alone when this little darling is about to become a new member of our family. Excitement hits the roof, and our hearts suddenly grow for a new love. However, in this joy, we shouldn't forget a fundamental thing – new responsibilities arise, and our life will change thanks to the little dog.
How to prepare your home for a dog?
Let's start with the basics – the whole family must know how to treat a dog. Start conversations, read various studies about the breed, even buy a book to theoretically prepare for a puppy. Start teaching children that a dog is not a toy and should be cared for like any other family member. Go shopping together to buy new food and water bowls, having previously chosen their spot in the house. A dog bed is a sanctuary – we shouldn't disturb him there; it should be his corner where he can rest freely. When I first brought my Bernese Mountain Dog home, I made him a larger playpen to ensure safety if I had to leave for a moment, which was a sensible solution at the very beginning of our journey together. A hair remover or brush is an indispensable gadget that should be in every home with breeds requiring grooming. Plush toys, chew toys are other things that will come in handy, and certainly, an excess of them won't hurt if everyone wants to choose something different ;). Remember that with a puppy at home, you need to handle it like a small child – dangerous objects or substances should be removed from places where the dog will have access. It's better to be safe than sorry, rather than a tragedy accidentally occurring. When picking up a dog from a breeder, the breeder often gives a puppy toy, a blanket, something to calm the dog in its new home. During transport, it's worth equipping the car with a carrier, and most importantly, for the new family member, we should prepare a collar with an ID tag and a leash.
Such a stylish collar is perfect for small and young dogs. Made of high-quality leather.
How to prepare a dog before bringing it home?
A lot depends on the breeders here – many reputable kennels assimilate puppies into everyday home life from the start. The sounds of a vacuum cleaner, washing machine, dishwasher, and other everyday appliances should not cause anxiety in the four-legged friend. Breeders often also teach appropriate behaviors, such as not getting on the sofa or even toilet training. The most important issue is meeting the dog before finally taking it home – get to know each other! It's a very nice thing and a pleasant experience when you choose your pet and slowly start to build a bond between you. This rule also applies to adopted dogs – arrange numerous meetings to get to know your future companion very well.
What problems can arise during dog training?
Dog socialization is a very important thing, and it's up to us how it goes. The first stage takes place with the breeder, and the second with us until the age of two. A dog in a new home should not be afraid of your touch! If, as above, the breeder started socializing the puppy from scratch, you should have no problem with this. It's worth seeking advice in this area from the veterinarian who will be treating your pet, and I also recommend buying books that are excellent at teaching us how to start training a dog. From my experience, I know that rules must be introduced from the very beginning for all household members – what the dog can and cannot do. Children should also be taught how to behave around the dog and to closely observe its reactions. Pay close attention to the signals given by your four-legged friend – many subtle signals they show us are interpreted completely differently by us. Read also: Dog collar - safety first!
Separation anxiety
The problem of separation anxiety in dogs is becoming more widespread. This is nothing other than an obsessive fear of… loneliness. When we leave, the dog may howl, bark more, destroy objects around, and even self-mutilate. Similarly, in some four-legged friends, we can observe repetitive behaviors, so-called psychomotor agitation (spinning in circles, other repetitive actions). Separation anxiety can be caused by various situations:
- a sudden change in the pet's life,
- moving to a new home,
- a change in rituals the dog has grown accustomed to,
- the death of the owner.
To deal with this problem, you should immediately seek advice from a behaviorist who will start working with you and your dog on simple commands. Later, we try short departures to teach independence. The dog should be rewarded for good behavior, either with dog treats or with our kind and joyful words. Never punish the dog in any way!
These duck slices are a great solution. They can serve as a reward and also as chew toys. Every young dog will appreciate them.
A good way to help a dog with this problem is to leave the TV on when you're out or provide interactive toys that activate themselves after a while.
Dog not using its bed
A nightmare for many owners. Consistency and the involvement of all household members in learning are key here. Let's start with the basics – the bed should be close to us so the dog feels safe. I even slept next to the bed for the first few days initially, just so the dog could get used to it – it worked. Make sure the bed is neither too small nor too big. On one hand, it can overwhelm them, and on the other, too much space causes anxiety. Everyone must be involved in dog training, and during the learning process, we cannot give in – our work would be wasted. The bed should be in the room where we sleep, and the pet should have us within sight. The choice of dog beds and mats is huge, so we will certainly find something perfect for our four-legged friend.
Dog refusing to eat and drink
Unfortunately, a puppy may initially refuse to eat and drink, due to separation from its mother and siblings. The breeder should usually provide a toy from the kennel that the dog played with and some dry food it used to eat, so it feels a little "at home." If we want to switch to good dog food recommended by veterinarians, wait a moment for the pet to get acquainted with the new place and feel more comfortable. Generally, a puppy should not have problems drinking, although if the problem persists and it clearly refuses to drink even freshly poured water during the day, or simply hasn't eaten, a visit to the veterinary clinic certainly won't hurt. Read also: What to do when your dog doesn't want to drink?
How to teach a dog to relieve itself outdoors?
Patience is the key to success. Observation is paramount here. Be prepared for the fact that you might need to take your dog outside several times a day to relieve itself. Usually, after drinking, I would wait a few minutes and take the dog for a walk. For every successful outing, I would reward my pet with treats. It will definitely happen that it sometimes relieves itself in the middle of the room, but by no means use corporal punishment! Take the leash, go outside – you'll give it a signal that this is where it should do its business. Do you see it circling, nervously looking for a spot? Put on your shoes and go for a quick walk! This is the most common signal a puppy gives that it needs to go out. Be patient and firm, and the results will come faster than you think.
Dog hair on clothes
For some, it's a nuisance, for others, it's no problem, after all, it's a dog and it will shed hair around. This can be minimized by taking long-haired dog breeds to a dog groomer for brushing, or by brushing them daily. The more we care for the dog's grooming, the less hair will be around. With my Bernese Mountain Dog, I have to brush him daily to reduce hair, and it's worst during shedding seasons. Short-haired dog breeds are easier to brush, and their grooming is certainly less time-consuming. However, I live by the rule – suffer, body, you wanted this! I wanted a big dog, so I knew there would be work to do. Remember! Before buying, adopting, or bringing a puppy or dog home, think carefully: can you cope with the change in your current life? A dog changes many things in a home, but it teaches an incredible amount of empathy and unconditional love, which I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world!
