Puppy

A new puppy in your home is always a joyous occasion to celebrate. It is also the beginning of teaching the new addition to the family what it can and cannot do.  It’s always important to establish boundaries for your pet so that you will not have a hard time breaking any bad habits it may develop.

Here are a few simple tips to help introduce your puppy to its new environment and develop good habits:

Make your Puppy Feel at Home

It is important that your puppy feels safe in its new home but at the same time, do not allow it to be too attached to you that it would be too dependent and clingy.  It is normal for your puppy to cry the first few nights because it may be lonely and miss its mommy and siblings. Do not scold it because you will only make it even more scared. Try to schedule activities for your puppy. This will make it too tired to feel homesick and will lead it to deep slumber.

Prepare a Safe Space for your Puppy

Designate a space for your puppy in a room that has occasional activity so that it will not feel alone. Make sure that the spot you choose for your puppy is warm and comfortable. Even if there is activity, your puppy will still feel secure. If you want your puppy to grow up sleeping near you, you can put its bed next to yours. You can bundle it up with a blanket to make it feel like it is being snuggled.

Bring Something from its Former Home

To make the transition to a new environment less stressful for your puppy, bring something from its previous home such as an old toy or blanket. The familiar scent will remind your puppy about its mother and will take comfort in the smell. Leave a light on for your new pet so that it can see its surroundings if it wakes up in the middle of the night.

Put Newspapers Close By

If your puppy is not yet paper trained, now is the time to start. Place newspapers close to its sleeping area. Puppies tend to poop and pee more often than adult dogs. After feeding time, take your puppy to the newspaper to do its deed. You can leave some residue when cleaning up so that the next time your puppy has to go it can smell the scent on the newspapers and remember to do it there.

Keep a Routine

Feed your puppy at the same time everyday and at the same spot. Leave fresh and accessible water in a water bowl for your puppy in only one place. Dogs are routine creatures and once you establish the correct habits, you will have a well-behaved companion.

Photo: http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn183/milly-vinilly/tumblr_l06iqvDM1w1qaluteo1_1280.jpg

To view this article in spanish, click here: http://www.petsintouch.com/pnnespanol/12555/dandole-la-bienvenida-a-tu-nuevo-cachorro