For Dogs: The Rules Governing In-House Behavior
Your puppy will be much happier and more confident if you establish a routine for him early on. Knowing when he is going to be fed, when it is playtime, as well as where he is allowed to go in the house, will all help him to feel more secure.
Puppies are quite demanding of your time and attention at first, as are senior dogs, which will need more help as they grow older and less able to cope.
| Research
Studies indicate that puppies benefit from learning to be separated from humans. Separation anxiety can be avoided if a puppy is encouraged to interact with many different people, so that he does not become dependent on one particular individual. However, don’t overdo it when your puppy is very young, as this has been found to have the opposite effect. |
Puppy Routine
Meals: Feed your puppy regularly: breakfast at 7:30 am, lunch at midday, dinner at 4 pm and supper at 8 pm.
Toilet Training: Offer your puppy toilet breaks every hour during the day, after meals and after sleeping.
Play: Schedule in short play sessions throughout the day, preferably not just after he’s eaten.
Training Sessions: Introduce your puppy to new people, noises and experiences. Using rewards, teach him his name and to come when called, as well as the ‘sit’ and ‘down’ commands.
Grooming: Gently brush your puppy and handle him all over, including the mouth and paws. Encourage him to accept eye contact.
| Happy Dog Tip As much as you adore your new puppy, don’t allow him to rule the roost. This is your home and you should be the pack leader. What you consider cute behavior in a puppy can become very irritating and sometimes dangerous in an adult dog.. |
Home Alone
Although you want to spend every waking minute with your new puppy, you need to prepare him for those times when he will be left alone. From the beginning, leave him alone in a closed room for short periods. Start with a few minutes and then gradually build up to longer periods. Don’t make a huge fuss either before you leave or when you go back into the room. Aim to make this a normal part of his day, and he will then be happy to be left alone when necessary.
Setting Ground Rules
Ensure that visitors and children abide by your rules for handling the puppy. Here are some you might consider:
- Never allow your puppy to bite under any circumstance, even in play. Simply say ‘No’ and stop playing with him immediately.
- Discourage your puppy from jumping at people, even if they say it’s not a problem.
- Give your puppy his own sleeping quarters separate from your own. Dogs that are over-dependent on their owners can become very unhappy and distressed when left alone.
- Feed your puppy after you have eaten, so that he realizes you are head of the pack in your home.
- Don’t feed him tidbits from the table as this encourages begging and scavenging.
- Be consistent about where you allow him to be, such as on or off the furniture. Don’t allow him to sit on the sofa on the first day and then expect him to know that this area is out of bounds afterwards. A confused puppy is an unhappy one.