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Decide on what behaviors you want from your dog and start with those right away! It is easier to train from the beginning than to re-train your dog.
For example- if you don’t want your dog begging for food at the table then never give them scraps from the table or if they are begging. Only reward them for good behavior. For example, if our dogs are just sitting quietly by the table when we are eating, then I will go a few feet away from the table, praise them, and give them a treat/scrap. You can also put treats/scraps in their food bowl so they only expect food there and not from the table. You can also feed them dinner before you eat so they aren’t so hungry, then crate them with a treat while you’re eating your dinner.
Always make them “sit” or do a trick for a treat. They need to earn it. Don’t give them a treat if they are jumping up for it.
You will need somewhere safe for your puppy to be when you are gone, whether it’s a laundry room with a pet gate, or a play pen, or a crate, put them in there often so they will be used to it. Don’t put them in there only when you are gone, or they will associate it with you being gone and will view it negatively. Put them in there for short periods of time throughout the day when you are home.
When you have been gone and get home act like it is not a big deal that you have been gone, this is super important!! If you rush to them and make a big fuss over them after being gone, they will think it’s bad that you were gone, and it can cause separation anxiety. Ignore them if they are jumping up on you, you don’t want to reinforce that behavior. Give them a minute to calm down, then calmly pet them, take them outside to go potty, have them do a trick for a treat, etc.
Separation anxiety in puppies is common. Submissive or excited urination is also common, these topics require more in depth training, feel free to reach out if you need help with either of these.
IMPORTANT: Never put your dog on the ground in a public place until they have received ALL of their vaccinations. This is the number one place that puppies contract life-threatening illnesses. Holding your dog or placing them in a shopping cart insures that they have the best chance of staying away from major illnesses. It is important to expose your dog to new places, smells, textures, people, and sounds early on, however, do so with caution and only in clean environments. Do not let them come in contact with unknown or unvaccinated dogs. Take them for car rides. Put them in a stroller or backpack for walks around the neighborhood.
My biggest piece of advice is do what you need to do to make it work! Not everything works for every puppy or family or situation. If you’re trying something and it’s not working don’t be afraid to try something different!
Expect your new puppy to be sad, anxious, and unsure for a few days after bringing him home. He will need a lot of love, cuddles, and attention. It is a big adjustment to be in a new home with new people away from mom and littermates. Over time he will become more independent. Expect some sleepless nights and to be home a lot more at first. But it will get easier! If you have any questions or need anything please reach out to me! I am happy to help!
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