Recently my boyfriend of two years and I impulsively made the decision to buy a puppy. He is a Border-Collie and Mini Australian Shepherd mix. He is seven months old now, but was only 11 weeks when we got him. We went to a pet store to play with puppies and ended up leaving with one. Little did we know that we were insanely unprepared. The employees at the store did not warn us that our puppy's breed was a high-energy dog, with extensive needs. Here are some tips that I wish we would have known prior to getting our puppy.
1. Don't Be Shy, Ask Questions
Yes, puppies are insanely adorable, but they come with tons of responsibilities. My boyfriend and I made our decision on our puppy because he was the cutest one. We did not bother to ask about his daily needs or specifics of his breed. We quickly learned that our puppy needed constant training and daily walks (Sometimes even multiple walks a day). We wish that we would have known more before we brought him home. So don't be shy at a store or shelter! Ask about the breed, and the dog in particular. Ask about needs, including; grooming needs, training needs, exercise needs, and just any other information that you can get!
2. It's Going To Be Frustrating But Try To Remain Calm
Puppies are a ton of work, it's completely normal to lose your temper with them from time to time. Sometimes it is important to raise your voice and remind the puppy who is in charge. But, some breeds do not always learn from punishment. Many breeds (including our puppy, ugh) learn only or better from positive reinforcement. Treats and praise work better than yelling or putting the puppy in his or her crate for a time out. So remember this when you go to scold your puppy!
3. Don't Be Hesitant To Place The Puppy In The Kennel
My boyfriend and I learned the hard way that kennels are important. We did not like putting the puppy in his Kennel because he would whimper and we felt bad for him. However, one day, we had him out of his kennel when we were trying to get chores done and he chewed a laptop cord worth over $50! We learned that the crate is okay to use more often than we thought. Of course, you should not leave the puppy in the kennel for extensive amounts of time, but, it is important when you do not have time to fully concentrate on the puppy.
4. Be Prepared to Answer Questions
You will be excited to show off your new furry friend, but be wary, people will want to pet him/her and will ask you questions. Be prepared to answer the gender, name, breed, personality, and other fun facts about your puppy!
5. Potty-Training Takes Time
House-training will differ between dogs, but we found that having a schedule will help. For example, have a set amount of food and time for feeding. Have a regular time period for taking the puppy out. We learned that taking the puppy out every 30-45 minutes worked best. You should also watch and learn the behavior of your dog. Our puppy would start to sniff around and walk in circles when he needed to go out. Learn these behaviors to help prevent accidents. Also, accidents will happen. Remember to keep carpet cleaner ready!
6. Make Memories
Dogs are companion animals. Always remember that your dog will not live as long as you. Enjoy every moment, even the frustrating ones, you will miss them someday. Laugh when you can and always remember to show your dog how much you love them. Pet and snuggle them. Buy them toys or treats when possible. Dogs will make you happy, but you should always try to keep your dog happy too.
