Key Tip #2

Get Prepared 

1. Get the house ready for the puppy. Set up a puppy-proof safe space such as a baby-gated kitchen or exercise pen. Make this a place that you spend a lot of time in and the puppy is in your line vision. Place a crate in this space and also next to your bed. 
2. Purchase all your puppy essentials ahead of time such as dog beds., blankets, food, treats (training and reward treats), bowls, leash, collar, etc. Email me at [email protected] if you would like my complete puppy essentials list. 
3. Build Your tribe. Research and interview the professionals that will be key players in your puppy’s life such as a veterinarian, groomers, trainer, and pet sitters. Get referrals from friends and family. These people will play a vital role in your pup’s life so it is important that you take the time to pick them wisely. 
4. Educate yourself on important topics such as healthy diet options (avoid dry highly processed kibble), safe toys, types of treats, which vaccinations your pup actually needs, preventatives-how to safely protect your pup from fleas and ticks. You can find many of these answers on my blog at drloudon.com. 

Being prepared before puppy arrives will relieve the stress and trepidation that often comes with new puppy ownership. 

Key Tip #3

Schedule Appropriately 

It’s time to add your puppy to your planner

…It is so important to make space in your schedule for your new puppy. When we try to add a puppy to our already busy schedules it causes stress and frustration. Here are some ways you can do this: 

1. Wake up 30-45 minutes earlier than you normally would to be with your puppy. This quiet time in the morning can be sweet bonding time for you both and will set your puppy up for a successful day. Develop a routine that supports your puppy and is consistent. Dog’s thrive with consistency and repetition. One example is: wake up, carry pup out to a specific spot or exercise pen in the yard, use a command for “go potty”, reward and celebrate success, sit on floor with pup for 10 minutes, walk again for one more pee, crate and feed. Walk again 20 minutes after eating. Once your puppy is a bit older a long walk in the morning may be a great way for you both to start your day.  
2. Plan out a daily schedule for your puppy that includes times of walks, feedings, play time, walks, training and bed time. By sticking to a schedule you build your puppy’s confidence and also make your expectations clear. 
3. Make a schedule or plan for expectations and goals a few weeks out such as: Week 1 teach come. Week 2 sit, week 3 down etc…. By week 3 start socialization. Week 6 join obedience class. 

If you would like a trick dog add a trick to each week as well. If your goal is a water dog put it on the schedule. 

If you make the time for your puppy early on the benefits will last the lifetime of your dog. Commit to putting the time in now. 

Key Tip #4

Commands 

Choose words for your most important command and stick to them.

There are key commands that you will want to teach your puppy. Here are the most important commands that you will want your pup to know: 

• Basic obedience-sit, stay, come, heal, down 
• Leave it- important when you can catch your pup before they pick up something dangerous or things such as your fav shoes… 
• Go potty or hurry up, etc 
• Drop it or out- so your pup will drop things he picks up that he shouldn’t or helpful when playing ball, etc 
• Watch me - getting your puppy to pay attention to you. This is a great way to avoid reactive behavior when in high energy, social situations 
• Wait- this is a great command that could save your pups life. Use it to teach your pup to wait when the front door is opened and when a car door is opened. 
• Off- this is a command to use to keep your puppy off of furniture, if they jump up on someone or place their paws on a sitting visitor, etc. 
• Go to spot or bed- I use this command when visitors enter the house, when we are eating or if I want my dogs to stop barking at passersby. They go lay on their bed away from the situation and wait for my release. It is a quick way to get everyone in control if there is heightened energy. 
• Get it- This is useful when teaching your pup to fetch. You can take it further and teach your pup to get his/her leash, bowl etc.

These are just the main commands that every dog should know. You can take this much further if you wish and are willing to put in the work. If you do not have time for more than this then that is ok. If you work on these commands on a regular basis you will have a well-behaved dog that you can be proud of. 

Be consistent. Always use one command for each request. 

Frequency is more important than length of time of each training session. Expose your puppy to these commands daily. 

Key Tip #5

Manage Your Mindset

Your approach to raising this puppy is key to your success. Adding a puppy to your life is a blessing and will elevate the level of joy in your home. Find gratitude for this journey. Instead of feeling that “I have to care for this puppy” instead feel “I get to be the one to care of this puppy”. 

Perspective is everything. Finding the humor in your puppy’s behaviors and antics rathethan reaching for frustration is a great approach. 

This can be such a joyous, fun time if you allow it to be. 

Make your puppy raising journey intentional, focused and organized. Keep to a schedule and commit to consistency. Make space in your schedule for your puppy.

 Celebrate your wins. Enjoy this time precious time because it goes by so quickly and you will miss it.