How to Raise a Well Balanced Puppy

 

Your puppy needs you to help him develop from a curious young puppy into a well balanced adult dog.  It is your job as your puppy’s guardian to make sure that he has the appropriate manners and social skills to live harmoniously with the world around him.

 

 

How do you accomplish this?

 

 

Socialize Your Puppy

 

Your puppy needs to be exposed to hundreds of other people, animals, dogs, places and things in the first year of his life.  These experiences need to be positive and fun so that your puppy can accept a variety of situations without fear or malice.  Take your puppy to shopping centres, pet stores, sports games, parks etc and make these experiences fun and relaxing for him.  Take your puppy to a reputable dog daycare to learn how to properly socialize with other dogs.

 

Teach Your Puppy

 

Your puppy’s mind is a blank slate.  Teach your puppy manners, obedience and exercises that will enrich and support his life as part of the human world.  A puppy who jumps up on people is not as welcome as one who sits nicely at someone’s feet waiting to be petted.  For your puppy’s own safety and the safety of those around you, your puppy needs to learn how to walk nicely on a leash, come when called, stay in one place and properly greet other people and other dogs.  It is your responsibility to teach these skills to your puppy!  Enroll in a reputable Dog Obedience Class and keep up with your skills after class is over.  Take fun classes like agility or make up fun games to play in your own back yard like “Find the Cookie!”.  Be imaginative and creative and keep your puppy’s mind active!

 

Nurture Your Puppy

 

Loving your puppy is not about giving him everything he wants.  Loving your puppy is about having fair rules and boundaries and enforcing them properly so that your puppy has equal love and respect for you as his guardian and the other people and animals in his life.  Spend time every day walking, training, cuddling, grooming, teaching and loving your puppy.  In turn, your puppy will grow into a loving, well mannered dog who brings joy and harmony into your life and the lives of those around you.

 

Ask for Help

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help from a qualified dog trainer for help in dealing with puppy problems.  All puppies go through learning stages, some more difficult than others, such as teething and potty training issues.  Many puppies, through no fault of their own, have behavioural challenges such as separation anxiety, nervousness or aggression.  These challenges can be overcome with the help of a qualified dog professional and you and your puppy can learn to manage and change these problems into behaviours you both can live with.