“Cute and Cuddly” Is Not Enough – Turn Your Puppy into a Real Member of Your Family
Dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years, but the domestic environment has changed dramatically. Training you new puppy is more than throwing sticks and making him retrieve them; it is something that requires patience and rewards you in the end, when your dog can accomplish simple tasks without chewing all the furniture in the way.
Many people surf the internet to search for a funny puppy short clip just for that extra laughter that will get them through the day. Don’t even think that only a small number of dogs can manage to do tricks and make you laugh: it’s just that only a small percentage get caught on tape and uploaded online.
If you read carefully and follow the simple tips below, you too can have a smart, cuddly puppy that will become your best and playful friend and that will also respect you.
A few Quick Tips that Have to be Taken Into Consideration BEFORE Getting a Puppy:
1. All family members have to agree on a single, easily understandable name for the puppy. More families than you can imagine start calling their puppy 3-4 different names, confusing the youngster.
2. People that are going to live around the dog must agree on a single and unique set of commands – this will help the puppy to learn correctly and without confusion: “stay” should not be confused with “sit”.
3. If possible, arrange the items inside your house to turn it in a dog-friendly environment in which he can’t destroy anything by chewing it (i.e. electrical wires).
Take these pieces of advice in consideration and you will be prepared to go to the next step: acquiring what it is going to become your best friend. You must be patient in choosing a breed that fits your personality, energy level and the environment in which you live. If you live in a small apartment, there is no point in torturing a Saint-Bernard to grow without the necessary space; a Siberian husky should not be raised in warm places like Africa or Brazil because it is very hard for the dog to adapt.
When You Have Finally Purchased a Puppy, You Must Strictly Stick to these 5 Rules:
1. In the first weeks, DO NOT scare or exaggerate with punishment taps on your puppy’s head, this may permanently damage him, making him to react either scared or violently all the time.
2. Teach your dog to be in the presence of as many people as you can, so it will behave normally when you bring a guest in the future. If you can’t manage to do so, he might bark at every new person they see, even in your presence.
3. Take your puppy outside to socialize or bring friends that possess dogs to your home. A sociable puppy is a happy one. This way, you will be the one cheered by your dog, and not the other way around.
4. Be very careful when it comes to your dog’s diet. Do not experiment with his ability to chew anything, unless you want him to have “furniture” for every dinner. Also, try feeding him three times a day – this way he will get accustomed with your way of life.
5. Training the puppy to follow simple commands can be exhausting. PATIENCE IS THE KEY! Do not be aggressive with your puppy if he hasn’t figured out what you are asking of him, give it more time and reward him every time he progresses.
This entire guide would not be as important without saying that a puppy needs to now who is the “alpha male” in the house, the leader of the “pack”. If he sees that you are confident and if you give some small but significant signals, like feeding him only after you have eaten, he will grow accustomed to your superiority.
If you follow these simple tips, you should have no problem training your new puppy to become a respectful member of your family and maybe to even do some funny tricks. Arm yourself with patience and shape your future best friend!
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Tags: new puppy, teach your dog, training advice, young puppy
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