You’ve decided to adopt a puppy – yay! But, what now? Your puppy’s first few weeks in its new fur-ever home are vital to them growing up calm, confident, and as open to new people and experiences as possible. Although raising a puppy can be exhausting at times, consistency is key and will certainly pay off in the long run.
Puppies (and kittens) have what is known as a ‘socialisation period’, which lasts until they are around 14 weeks of age. This is an essential learning phase for young animals, and can have a significant effect on their behaviour down the track. It’s also an important period of bonding between you and your new family member. Our goal during this socialisation period should be to introduce them to as many new and positive experiences, making sure not to overwhelm them in the process. For example, if you want your puppy to be good with other dogs, introducing them to a friend or family member’s friendly dog in a safe and familiar environment is a great idea. However, a dog park with many strange dogs, people, sights, and sounds might be too much for them early on, and could have the opposite effect.
Remember, your puppy’s vaccinations should be up-to-date before introducing them to other dogs or taking them out into the big wide world.
Mouthing, or play-biting, is a normal developmental behavior for puppies, but their sharp teeth can hurt. If your puppy mouths your skin, you can try yelping like another puppy would to let them know they’re biting too hard. If they don’t stop, do not encourage them; instead, stop play, which teaches them that play-biting ruins the fun. Once they’ve stopped, you can reward them with something else to chew on (other than you), like a treat or toy.
Chewing is another normal behavior, as it’s how your puppy explores its new world. Puppies will be ‘teething’ from around 4 to 6 months of age. During this time, you might see an increase in chewing behavior as it helps relieve discomfort. Rule number one is to keep easily chewable items (like shoes) up high or out of reach, a habit that can take some getting used to. If you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t, calmly take it away and offer an exchange, such as a toy they are allowed to chew. This teaches them what they can and cannot do. Remaining calm is very important; too much excitement might make your puppy think it’s a game, which encourages the behavior. Punishing them will only teach them to hide the behavior from you. Shoes are often popular because they smell great.
Toilet training is a significant aspect of puppy training. Always supervise your puppy when they are inside, and take them outside every couple of hours, as well as after eating, sleeping, or playing. Have a designated outdoor area where you regularly take them so they learn where to go. Give them lots of praise when they do the right thing. If they do the wrong thing, calmly take them to the correct spot and start praising them for doing it right there. You can even try using trigger words (like telling them to ‘sit’) when they go, which might help you get your puppy to toilet on command. (‘Twinkle’ was a family favorite while growing up.)
Training your puppy is primarily about ignoring unwanted behaviors and rewarding desired ones. Punishing your pet generally makes them fearful and teaches them to hide bad behavior. Be creative with rewards, including food, praise, toys, games, and attention—anything they enjoy. Physical and mental stimulation throughout your pet’s life will also help reduce unwanted behaviors at home. Remember, training must be done in the moment, not hours later when you discover a chewed shoe. Good supervision and consistency are essential for ensuring your puppy is happy and well-behaved in their new home.