Making room for puppy

Now that the holiday season has passed, many families are preparing to welcome a new puppy into their home. Bringing home a new dog can be one of the most exciting events in one’s life. However, if a family isn’t prepared for the work and effort it takes to be a good pet parent, frustration with their dog’s behavior may lead to dissatisfaction. The Humane Society reports that one of the main reasons dogs are returned or relinquished to the shelter is because the owners were not prepared to handle the animal’s behavior.

Here are some ideas to ensure your puppy becomes a happy addition to your family:

“1. Puppy proof your home: Before the puppy arrives, owners should do a sweep of their home and yard and pick up all of the things they do not want the puppy to get into. This will be an ongoing effort and it’s important for pet parents to remember that it is their responsibility to keep the dog or puppy safe and out of trouble. Additionally, owners should keep durable, safe and fun toys should readily available to quickly substitute whenever the puppy is chewing on something that isn’t appropriate.

“2. Crates – an effective training tool: A crate serves as a place for the puppy to call his own and is a great place for short time-outs and for sleeping. Additionally, crate training can be an efficient and effective way to house-train. Because puppies do not like to eliminate where they rest/sleep, the puppy learns to wait and go at conveniently scheduled times.

“3. Make potty training easy: New owners must remember that young puppies have no more control or understanding of the concept of potty training than a toddler. The best way of training a puppy to go outside is to take him out as soon as he wakes up in the morning, right after each feeding and nap, as well as right before bed at night. With any form of training, consistency is the key and positive praise will go a long way.

“4. Give your puppy a peaceful place to sleep at night: It is very common for puppies to cry the first few nights in a strange place. An old fashioned “ticking” clock or one of the owner’s dirty T-shirts will often settle the pup down to sleep. Others have found a small stuffed toy, a baby blanket or even a hot water bottle to be affective as well.