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Puppy Training
You and your
new dog
omeBirmingham
Dogs
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Puppies are so cute when they are small anddefenceless, and no matter what the breed allpuppies are adorable. However we must remember
these puppies grow up to be adults. It is easy to forget thisand we all think it’s cute and funny when puppies’ misbehave and do naughty things. Remember that puppytime (especially the first three months of his life) is mostimportant and what the puppy learns now will stay withhim for a long time.
With this in mind I have put together some do’s anddon’ts and what to expect from a puppy.
Puppies should ideally stay with their mum until 10 weeksif possible, during which the mother will teach the pups somuch and they will learn from each other how to play.There are too many pups which have been taken awayfrom the mum and littermates too early. If this happens thepup will not have learned how to interact, when enough isenough, how far to push mum and the siblings. With noguidance these pups grow up with no manners and no‘bite inhibition’ (the dog learns to moderate the strength ofits bite) which makes the owners task of teaching a littleharder. At both Sunnyside and Birmingham Dogs’ Homewe see many puppies that arrive on their own or in littersbut with no mum and sometimes these puppies can be asyoung as three weeks (certainly not a time where a pupshould leave its mum).
Getting a puppy.• Ask yourself why do you want a puppy? Think about
your situation and if you have time to look after and traina puppy?
• Ensure that all members of the household have agreedto get a puppy.
• Set out rules that you will all follow, e.g. that the pup isnot allowed on the furniture, bedrooms or dining room.
Puppy Training
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• If you have another dog or other animals will theyaccept a puppy, but don’t forget puppies are lively.
• A lot of families have a puppy at the same time theyhave young children so you must ensure that you havethe time to supervise both children and puppy (havinga puppy is like having another child).
First nightWhen you get your puppy home allow him to investigatethe house with your supervision and guide him into theareas allowed. Make sure you show him where his bedand food / water areas are. It is a big experience for a newpup settling into a new home and this can be quite tiringfor the pup. Settle the pup down for the night and considercrate training (see Crate Training leaflet). It is worthwhileexchanging blankets a week or so before you pick up thepuppy so that scents can be transferred. Place the blanketin the crate with the puppy and remember, some pups likea soft toy or rolled up blanket that represents a littermate.If the pup has been on its own in the kennel you may getaway with leaving him in the area (e.g. kitchen) you wanthim to sleep in from the first night. However if the pup hasbeen with mum or littermates up until the day you collectedhim it may be wise to put the crate or basket by your bedfor a night or two. It is a lot to expect a young puppy tosleep all by itself. As the pup adjusts to the environmentgradually move him out of the bedroom bit by bit e.g.,outside the bedroom door, then top of the stairs, bottomof the stairs and then to the kitchen.
Puppy Training
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DO’S & DON’T’S DO socialise your puppy – expose the pup to differentnoises, smells and other dogs that are safe and have beenfully vaccinated etc.DO make sure your puppy has had all vaccinationsrequired before taking him out (until then carry the pup). DO start to teach the basic sits and stay commands fromday one (a puppy is never too young to learn).DO teach your children how to behave around the pup(see the Children & Dogs leaflet). DO ignore unwanted behaviour no matter how cute thepuppy looks and always praise the wanted behaviour. E.g.,if a puppy is barking, ignore and wait until quiet then goover. Otherwise the pup will learn that barking gets yourattention.DON’T allow anyone to disturb the puppy when sleeping.DON’T leave a puppy (or dog) unsupervised with children.DON’T leave a puppy alone for more than four hoursduring the day.
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Common behavioural issues Nipping / chewingPuppies have very sharp baby teeth; they investigate new thingsby using their mouth. It is not until 6-7 months that a puppy willhave all its adult teeth. Until then they will want to chew oneverything. Just like toddlers as their new teeth are forming it willhurt and to relieve this puppies tend to chew more. Offer a puppysomething else to chew on rather than your table leg. There aremany soft puppy toys available; ice cubes are quite good for pupsas they numb the area at the same time.When playing puppies should have learned from mum and littermates when they have gone too far. However pups that donot have this advantage will not understand. If you are playingwith your pup and he starts to nip a little too hard in a high pitchtone say the word “ouch” and stop what you are doing. Once thepup has calmed down continue play. Use this word as neededthroughout play to teach the pup that he has gone too far. If thepup does not seem to calm down then get up and walk away. Thiswill teach the pup that if he is not listening to you then play willstop altogether and your attention will disappear.
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omeBirmingham
Dogs
www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk
10 New Bartholomew Street Digbeth • Birmingham • B5 5QS
T: 0121 643 5211
Dark Lane • Cross Green • Coven Nr. Wolverhampton • WV10 7PN
T: 01902 790618
Birmingham Sunnyside
Dogs that are well socialisedwith other dogs, especiallypuppies, can be good for apuppy that has no ‘biteinhibition’. They will tell thepuppy off. Watch carefullywhen dogs play as if it gets tooheated you will need to stop thegame. Once puppies have hada chance to have a little playmake sure they calm down before removing the pup so they learna little self control.
If the puppy plays too roughly with the child you should read theChildren & Dogs leaflet.Many people want a puppy to grow up with their children and it isimportant to teach both child and pup how to behave around eachother. Both child and pup need their own space and time outsessions. To begin with a puppy will see a child as a play matenothing more (especially the younger the child is) and they willplay rough and tumble with the child as it would if it were hislittermate. As the puppy’s teeth are sharp and the child’s skin softyou are bound to get a few tears. Always supervise child and pupand never leave for a second. If you need to leave the room eitherplace the pup in the crate (where the child cannot get to it) or takethe child with you. Accidents happen but on the whole withsupervision and training both can play happily together and growup to be best of friends for life. Children of a certain age can start to take responsibility for thepuppy and show the pup that they are his owner and ‘pack leader’and control all the situations and resources, (food, walks, games,attention etc.) If you have had a dog from either Sunnyside or Birmingham Dogs’Home and need further advice or are having a few issues, please contact Gemma by calling the Home or email her [email protected].
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