Puppy and New Dog Owner Info
I. Intro
II. Are you ready for a puppy?
a. Lifestyle & Relationship Status
b. Household
c. Other Pets
d. Costs
III. Finding Your Puppy
a. Breeders vs. Adoption
b. Finding and vetting a good breeder
c. Finding and vetting a good shelter or rescue organization
d. Things to specifically avoid when finding your dog
IV. Choosing Your Puppy
a. Matching a breed to your lifestyle
b. Volhardt Aptitude Test
V. Before You Get Your Puppy
a. Picking out a crate
b. Appropriate Puppy Toys
c. Training Tools
d. Dog Food
i. Foods/Items to Avoid & Common Poisons
ii. Choosing a Food
e. Home References & Books You’ll Want
f. Picking out a veterinarian and a trainer
VI. First Weeks at Home
a. Crate Training
b. Playtime
c. The Basic Tricks
i. Name Game
ii. Sit
iii. Down
VII. First Two Months at Home
a. Socialization & Puppy Kindergarten
b. Vaccinations
c. Spaying & Neutering
VIII. Common Problems
a. Housetraining
b. Mouthing/Biting
c. Inappropriate Chewing
d. Diseases/Parasites
e. The Multi-dog Household
I. Intro
This is a modified version of the Pet Island Puppy and New Dog Owner thread created by forums user Mr. Furious with help from forums user Instant Jellyfish. This means that everything said should not be construed as professional or veterinary advice, but rather the words of some dog nerds on the internet. If you are in doubt or are concerned about your pet, please seek professional help from a licensed veterinarian or behaviorist.
II. Are you ready for a puppy?
Before you get a puppy, you should consider very carefully whether, firstly, a dog of any kind is appropriate for your situation, and secondly, if you are truly prepared to handle a puppy. As an owner, you have a responsibility to care for your animal and make sure that its needs are met. Each of us approaches this differently, but we have tried to assemble a basic checklist to establish if your situation can accommodate a puppy. If your situation doesn’t lend itself to a puppy, you should consider adopting an older dog from your local shelter.
a. Lifestyle & Relationship Status
Puppies require a great deal of supervision. This can be overwhelming for a single person to take on, unless they have a lifestyle that lends themselves to being available for the majority of every day.
If you work a standard 9 to 5 job, or anything that resembles it, this is very, very unlikely to be you. Lots of people think that they can come home on their lunch break to let the dog out to go to the bathroom. If this describes your situation, chances are high that you do not have the time to dedicate to a puppy. Unless you are willing to pay for doggy day-care or a daily dog-walker, you should reconsider getting a dog. Leaving the dog out in the back yard all day while you are gone is not a responsible solution.
If, instead, you are a college student, you may have gobs of time on your hands, but a puppy is still a poor choice for you at this point in your life. In a few short years, your life will be upended as you move on to a career. This can be a very stressful time for you as an individual so just imagine what it can do to your dog.
Couples with a long, stable relationship can be fine, but in the event that you are not married, it is imperative that one of you be the primary owner/caretaker and that the necessary registration records reflect this. I personally know breeders that will not sell to unmarried couples simply because of the obvious concern over long term stability for the dog.
Military personnel should also consider their lifestyle. If you work long or rotating shifts, that is additional stress on the dog when you are not away, in addition to more time he has to wait to be let outside or be fed. New orders come every few years, which can easily be a cross-country move, or worse. Travelling with the dog is often difficult for both of you, and can be extremely expensive. Worse, if you’re being stationed overseas, you’ll frequently have to complete quarantine procedures for the animal. The details of this vary from place to place, but it can range from staying at home with you and avoiding all other animals for 6 weeks to being placed at a shelter for up to 6 months.
b. Household
You also need to consider your living arrangement. Obviously, the ideal situation would be with a married couple who own their own home, but it isn’t essential.
Here are some dangers to watch out for:
Roommates
If you live in a situation with roommates, a puppy is a poor choice for you. People have been known to make it work, but it tends to be difficult for everyone. Sit down and ask yourself if you really trust your roommates to be alone with your new family member. If these individuals are responsible adults, everything could be gravy. If your roommates are college students who are regularly taking bong-hits and throwing parties, these are not good housemates for your puppy, and it’s just a matter of time until something unfortunate happens.
Apartments
Apartment living with dogs is possible -- I currently do it. But it is not ideal. Bear in mind that your new friend, especially if he or she is a puppy, will do damage to the property, whether that means tearing up the carpet, the walls, or the cabinetry. You will be held financially responsible for these damages.
Also, apartments frequently have breed restrictions, so make sure that you check into this with your landlord and understand the rules. Attempting to cheat the rules can get you evicted.
Lastly, bear in mind that apartment neighbors are closer to you than neighbors in a home, so you are more likely to have noise or other complaints about your dog, or neighbors that constantly disturb your dog while you aren’t home, leading to problems such as separation anxiety.
c. Other Pets
The other cohabitants of your home need to be taken into account as well. If you have 3 cats already that don’t get along well with dogs, a puppy is going to cause a great deal of strife at home and isn’t fair to your other pets. Likewise, keep in mind that young children can be rough on animals. A rambunctious toddler can terrorize a young puppy and cause a great deal of behavioral trauma that may become a lifelong problem.
d. Costs
Dog ownership is expensive. I have seen estimated yearly costs of ownership ranging from $200 to $500 and I personally believe these to be very low. These costs vary with the level of care you are going to provide as well as the source of your puppy. A shelter adoption can be as low as $50 for the animal, whereas a well-bred puppy can easily cost you $1500. That doesn’t even include the first year vet costs, toys and other necessary items you’ll have to purchase.
When my wife and I adopted our puppy two years ago, we put together a detailed budget to cover all the items we expected to buy in the first year and all of the yearly recurring costs. We ended up being very, very close to our budgeted numbers. Our budget predicted that first year costs would be roughly $4500 and yearly costs thereafter would be roughly $1500. Ask yourself very, very seriously if you can afford to take on a pet. Sacrifices can always be made, but that doesn’t mean it is the wise decision to make.
Lastly, if you are looking to save costs on ownership, an easy place to do so is on dog food -- that doesn’t make it right. You shouldn’t feed your dog the cheapest quality kibble for the same reason that you shouldn’t be eating every meal at Taco Bell.
Additional sources:
http://www.aspca.org/adoption/pet-care-costs.aspx
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/press_cente...g_ownership.pdf
III. Finding Your Puppy
a. Breeders vs. Adoption
If you have decided a puppy is going to be totally worth the lack of sleep and destruction of personal property, you now get to start the process of choosing your new addition. This dog is going to be a part of your family for the next 10+ years so it is in your own best interest to put a lot of thought into where you acquire your puppy. While the little cockashipoo in the pet store window looks tragically adorable there is a good chance it will bring you nothing but heartbreak and financial woes in the long run. The best places to find your future puppy are at an animal shelter, rescue, or responsible breeder depending on your needs and desires.
Despite common perceptions, PI loves it when people buy puppies from breeders as long as the breeder is responsible. If you have very specific requirements for a puppy, want to be certain of a puppy’s background, are dead set on a breed that is uncommon or may not have an appropriate temperament if from an uncertain source, can wait for a litter to be bred that suits your needs and are willing to spend more (think up to $2,000+ for some breeds), then a good breeder might be for you.
If you are more flexible in your requirements and mostly just want a good family dog then look into a rescue or shelter. It’s cheaper, often comes with some veterinary care, there are always puppies available somewhere, and you get the warm fuzzy feeling of saving a life. Shelters and rescues even occasionally have purebred puppies available if that is something that is important to you, especially for common breeds such as labs, hounds, chihuahuas etc depending on your area.
b. Finding and vetting a good breeder
If you’ve decided that a puppy from a breeder is just what you need, you need to take the time to go find one. A good place to start is googling [breed] club of [country/region/state]. Many breed clubs have lists of breeders that ascribe to a certain code of ethics or have individuals who have volunteered to help potential puppy buyers find breeders in their area. Just remember that being AKC/CKC/UKC etc registered means nothing about the quality of the dog so you will need to look closely at any breeder recommended.
Another good way to find a breeder is to attend shows or working competitions that feature the breed of your choosing. This is especially true if you are looking for a puppy from working lines or you are hoping to become active in a particular sport with your future puppy. While you are there talk to the participants, get to know the lines that are common in that event, and ask for breeder recommendations when you have a good idea of what you want. Volunteering for events is a great way to begin to get involved in a breed community and be sure that that breed is going to fit in to your lifestyle.
Once you think you’ve found a good breeder you’re going to want to ask them a bunch of questions. Breeders are notoriously bad at the internet so don’t be surprised if they want you to call or meet in person instead of going through email. A good breeder is going to be judging you just as much as you are judging them so be prepared to do a lot of talking before a puppy even comes in to the picture. Also keep in mind that a breeder may suggest that a specific breed is not suited to your lifestyle. Understand that they have a lot of passion towards a breed and want the best for both you and their puppies.
Here are some questions you may want to bring up when you think you have found a good breeder:
If all of their answers sound good make sure you get a look at their puppy contract before putting down a deposit. Make sure that their health guarantee, spay/neuter requirements, and anything else they may ask you to agree with aligns with your personal values. Be wary of breeders that require that you feed a specific brand of food or specific vitamin that has to be purchased through them.
If a breeder will not allow you to meet the dogs in their possession or see their breeding environment, alarm bells should be clanging in your brain. Additionally, a good breeder will only send home a puppy between the ages of 8-16 weeks. If the breeder is focused on doing their own socialization for their puppies, this will change to 12-16 weeks, but this is both rare and, in general, the sign of a good breeder.
c. Finding and vetting a good shelter or rescue
If you’ve decided to rescue a puppy, good for you! There are a number of different options for adoption to consider.
Animal Shelters
When you adopt from a shelter you may not have any background on the puppy, especially if it is brought in without a mother. You may not know what its personality is going to be, or what size it is going to grow to, or what early experiences it might have had before it got to the shelter. It may need to be neutered/spayed and vaccinated before it is released to you no matter how young or you may just give someone your cash and get a puppy in return. It all depends on the facility. A puppy from the shelter may be more likely to have an undiagnosed illness than one that has been in a foster home so you should take it in for a vet check within 24-48 hours of adopting it (this is a good idea and often a requirement no matter where you may get a puppy). Those might all seem like big giant cons against adopting a pound puppy, but the pro is that you are honestly saving a life. Even puppies are at risk of getting put down at many shelters due to crowding or easily treatable illness.
Be aware that just because a shelter claims a “No-Kill” policy does not automatically make it a good shelter or resource for pets, care or information. In some cases, this policy prevents them from euthanizing terminal animals such as the cat that was run over by a car and has no chance to survive. Instead he will spend hours in pain before he slowly dies. Shelters who euthanize and are staffed by good volunteers and employees are that much more motivated to adopt healthy animals into good homes.
Private All-breed rescues
Private rescues are less likely to put down puppies in most circumstances and many use foster homes to get to know the personality of the pups before they adopt them out. They generally have received vet care and are less likely to have an undiagnosed communicable illness like kennel cough. A rescue may have more information about the puppy’s background but may have just picked them up from a shelter to give them a better chance. If you live somewhere with strict breed or size restrictions a puppy from a shelter or rescue may not be the best choice for you as there is no guarantee that the little puppy will grow up to fit those restrictions. There is a big difference between an Australian shepherd, a Catahoula leopard dog, and a Chihuahua as adults but they all might look like a little blue puppy potato at 8 weeks. If you have size or breed restrictions you may want to look for an older pup so you have a better idea of what they will look like as an adult. Puppy adoption fees from rescues may be higher than those of older dogs but those funds generally go directly to helping more dogs in need.
Breed Specific Rescues
Breed specific rescues are a good option if you have requirements or limitations in what breed or size of dog you can have but still want to rescue. They are a lot less likely to have very young puppies available, but may have young dogs that have hit the age of being a butthead or have worn out their cuteness. With a breed specific rescue you may have a higher adoption fee and a more rigorous application process but you are much more likely to get a dog that fits specific needs such as size, shedding, and temperament.
Red Flag Indicators
Some rescues are actually a front for backyard breeders or puppymills. Here are some red flags that may indicate that a rescue is not what it seems.
None of these things guarantee that a rescue is a scam but they should make you take a closer look before adopting a puppy from them.
d. Things to specifically avoid when finding your dog
Puppy mills and pet stores
Puppy Mills or Puppy Farms are prevalent throughout the world. Here dogs are housed and treated like livestock and puppies are sold to anyone who will produce the cash. They may sell puppies directly to consumers either on property or through websites or they may wholesale puppies to brokers who provide them to pet stores. Puppy mills may be advertised as USDA inspected, this merely means they have met minimum health standards such housing dogs in cages at least 6 inches larger than the dog itself, not keeping more than 12 dogs in one cage, and feeding the dogs at least once a day. This is only for breeding facilities and not for brokering facilities, direct to consumer facilities, or pet shops. Pet stores are generally unregulated or minimally regulated. Even when a facility is inspected it does not need to pass inspection in order to keep its kennel license and regulations have generally been found to be ineffective.
Pet stores will frequently advertise that they get their puppies from good, local breeders but the vast majority of pet store puppies come from mills either directly or through a broker or auction. No good breeder who does health testing and breeds to improve their chosen breed would choose to sell their beloved puppies to strangers in pet stores. Since the puppies in a pet store are not from good breeders they may have expensive genetic problems, poor temperaments, a lack of any sort of positive socialization, contagious diseases, and the potential for short, tragic lives.
While you may feel like you are saving a dog’s life by purchasing it from a pet store or puppy mill you are actually giving the industry more money to continue. While that particular puppy may now have a new home, he will be replaced by another and his mother will continue to be bred to death until there is no more market for pet store puppies. While it may be heartbreaking to leave a puppy to an uncertain future it is the only way to stop the industry as a whole.
PetSmart and PetCo
These two chains don’t fit into the above category. To my knowledge, they never sell puppies or dogs in the store, but they will frequently have “Adoption Days” in which a local rescue or shelter will bring in volunteers and animals in an effort to rehome them. Do some research on the organization the animals are coming from, but we consider this a Good Thing.
For more information look at:
http://www.prisonersofgreed.org
To report a suspected puppy mill, contact: 1-877-MILL-TIP or go to http://www.humanesociety.org/forms/...puppy_mill.html
BackYard Breeders
BYBs are generally not the depressing hellholes that puppy mills are. They usually are just John Q Public down the street who had an unfixed bitch and decided she should have a litter to “settle her down”. They may be breeding Fluffums because she’s just so friendly and everyone wants one of her puppies. They may feel like those snobby show breeders are too expensive and just want to provide cheap family pets to honest, hardworking folks. The problem is when they do not do appropriate health testing and are not familiar with their dog’s lines and history. A checkup at the vet will not clear a lab for hip dysplasia or a boxer for thyroid disorder or a dalmatian from unilateral deafness. Even if they have had the forethought to get their bitch tested they may not know about their dog’s grandfather who died at 4 of cancer or that all of her siblings had to be put down for biting people. This means that you don’t know what genetic problems your new pup may end up with, either physical or behavioral. Purchasing a pup from a BYB may also encourage them to continue to breed because they made money the first time.
IV. Choosing Your Puppy
a. Matching a breed to your lifestyle
Let’s be honest, we all are drawn to certain breeds that we find aesthetically attractive. I’m not going to suggest that you shouldn’t be doing this, but I will strongly urge you to be realistic about your expectations. If your ideal buddy is a couch potato, do not even consider an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie.
When you accept guardianship of a puppy, realize what sort of dog that puppy is going to become and do your research. Understand the breed and what sort of situation you are getting into for the next 10-15 years. It’s very important that you do not delude yourself about what you can handle, because if you get a puppy that is more than you can handle, there are a limited number of outcomes, and none of them are good. None of us want to contribute to shelter overcrowding, so do your homework first.
At a bare minimum, you need to understand the following requirements for any breed that you consider:
There are a variety of resources that can assist you in breed research, and I’ve provided a few below to get prospective owners started, but these are by no means comprehensive.
http://animal.discovery.com/breed-s...dog-breeds.html
http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds
http://www.fci.be/nomenclature.aspx
http://www.purina.com/dog/breed-selector/default.aspx
http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/...dog-breeds.aspx
One of the factors that’s going to play heavily into your puppy selection, whether from a breeder or a shelter/rescue, is temperament. You, as an owner, will have certain expectations of what sort of dog you’re looking for. One way to test and examine temperament at this age is called the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test.
The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) puts the puppy in a variety of situations and gauges its response to certain stimuli. Based upon the scoring provided, you can get a rough idea of the temperament of this puppy. In the past it has been generally accepted that this temperament will roughly correlate to behavior as an adult, but that has been called into question more recently in a few studies, as well as by Jean Donaldson in her book “The Culture Clash.” Our non-expert advice is that the PAT can likely give you a good idea of what type of puppy you will get for the next 6-8 months, but should not be relied upon for long-term or adult temperament. Too many other factors play a role in that mix, especially training and environment.
You can read more about the PAT here:
http://www.volhard.com/pages/pat.php
V. Before You Get Your Puppy
Before you bring home your dog, there are some basic preparatory steps you need to take to make your home safe and make the transition for the animal as smooth and comfortable as possible. This includes things like puppy toys, a crate, wall socket protectors, cord protectors, puppy food, collars, tags, leashes, a clicker and training books. It is assumed at this point that the prospective puppy owner has taken a good, hard look at his or her lifestyle and finances and decided that yes, he or she really can afford this.
a. Picking out a crate
The details of crate training will be covered later in this post, but we’ll discuss puppy crates themselves here. Crates come in all shapes and sizes, and you will likely end up with several over the course of your dog’s life, but for a puppy you want a wire crate with a divider and a flat bottom so that you can ration the appropriate amount of space for crate time during house training. Additionally, the wire crate allows the dog to see their environment if necessary, and you can always drape a blanket over it if you want them to quiet down and take a nap.
You can find an example of a crate like this here. They come from a variety of different manufacturers, so do some homework and find one that is both affordable and sturdy, but be prepared to pay between $50-$150 for a decent crate.
You may also wish to consider a bed liner if you’re concerned about the dog getting cold -- these can complicate early house training, however, so if you don’t need it, don’t get it.
b. Appropriate Puppy Toys
You’ll also need a plethora of entertainment tools for the young puppy. You can spend as little or as much on this as you like, but below are some recommendations for the first six months. Be careful with going overboard though, because it can confuse your puppy about what is and is not a toy.
This is a good, durable chew and gnaw toy for them to work their jaws and gums and through the teething phase.
Another good, soft chew for puppies. Make sure you get the puppy variety until they have their adult teeth in, as the regular Kongs are not recommended for puppies.
This is a great device to feed your puppy meals out of. They have to work at it and think, so it exercises their bodies and their minds while you chill out and enjoy your coffee. Highly recommended.
Dogs love balls. They engage their prey drive and can be a blast for them to play with. Consider ones that will fit the Chuckit! launchers or ones with squeakers inside. Avoid tennis balls because they fall apart easily and the fiber thread can damage gums and become a choking hazard.
c. Training Tools
Misc. Tools & Toys
You’ll spend tons of money on good ideas that won’t work out, but here’s a link (NOTE: Requires subscription to Whole Dog Journal -- just get one already) that includes a list of things that you may not have thought of. Not all of these are truly required or needed, but many of them can be extremely convenient and are at least worth your consideration.
d. Dog Food
Foods/Items to Avoid & Common Poisons
There are a multitude of everyday items that surround us that are toxic to dogs, and their toxicity ranges from mild stomachache to complete renal failure within days or weeks. Everyday foods for you can literally kill your dog.These items may surprise you as well -- for example, some dogs have an unpredictable reaction to grapes or raisins that results in death. You should be cautious what items are around your household and in reach of your dog, just as if you had a toddler (with sharper teeth).
You can find more information about toxic items here:
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants/
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poiso...ople-foods.aspx
Choosing a Food
Choosing a puppy food for your growing little buddy can be intimidating as there are a ton of different brands, and within each brand there are another dozen varieties each with confusing names. Here are the basics that you need to know - puppies require additional protein as they grow during the early months. Additionally, the food labeling industry is absolutely rife with misinformation, smoke and mirrors. You have a few resources at your disposal to handle this, and here is one of my favorites:
Find a food that:
There is currently a fad regarding homemade diets such as BARF. While we all want healthy animals and to provide the best care for them that we can, it is very important to remember that an unbalanced diet can result in horrible problems for your dog as it ages. It is strongly recommended that you consult a veterinary nutritionist if you are considering a homemade diet.
e. Home References & Books You’ll Want
There’s more information than we could possibly put in this thread that is all useful and helpful, but even if we did, you wouldn’t remember it anyways. Books can help you here, and some of them are even free.
To start, I recommend a Home Veterinary Reference. This is fantastic for the 3am panic attacks that you have because your dog threw up a tennis ball, appears to be painting your walls with poop, or whatever other nightmare situation you can invent. A home vet reference can help you decide whether you need to call the Emergency Vet and pay the minimum fee just to be seen, which is usually not something to sneeze at.
I personally use this one and have been very happy with it, but you should shop around and take a look at other options and make a decision for yourself.
Ian Dunbar, founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), has released two short books for new puppy owners totally free for download because he is an amazing individual. I highly recommend that you download them and check them out. He is my personal favorite among the huge cast of dog experts out there today.
Ian Dunbar’s Before You Get Your Puppy
Ian Dunbar’s After You Get Your Puppy
f. Picking out a veterinarian and a trainer
This can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for a new dog owner. All practicing veterinarians have gone to veterinary school and have degrees, but they are most certainly not all created equal. Having had to go through this all over again recently, I hope my experience can assist some of you out there and make your lives that much easier.
What to look for in a veterinarian
You’re actually searching for two things - both a veterinary clinic and an individual veterinarian. Keep in mind that your standard vet won’t always be available, so it may be wise to get comfortable with the idea of seeing someone else. There is a professional association for veterinary hospitals and clinics known as the American Animal Hospital Association or AAHA. Membership is not mandatory or regulated, and is not necessarily an indicator of quality of care at a facility. The clinic I am currently using is not an AAHA member and I still think they have some of the best vets I have ever met.
In short, my list of qualifications for a new vet are:
These may seem like no-brainers, but it is helpful to keep them all in mind when shopping around. Remember that you and your chosen vet are the only voices your dog has. Bear in mind, however, that “bedside manner” in a veterinarian does not necessarily correlate to quality care -- do your homework and decide whether this individual is qualified to give you professional medical advice about your pet. Look at past client history and experience, continuing education credentials and credits, the institution their degree came from and talk to other clients.
What to look for in a dog trainer
Picking out a good dog trainer can easily be as frustrating as the above, depending upon where you live. In an effort to keep this short and sweet, here are a list of Do’s and Don’ts for picking out a trainer.
Your trainer should NEVER:
Your perfect trainer should:
You can search for KPA and CPDT trainers via their appropriate websites below:
If you do not find a suitable trainer at the links above, you can also search on the APDT website, however, bear in mind that APDT membership has two different levels -- Standard and Professional Members. Professional Members MUST have a certification such as CCPDT, ACAAB, KPA, etc, while Standard Members simply pay membership fees annually and have no certifications. The APDT Trainer Search can be found here:
VI. First Weeks at Home
a. Crate Training
The crate is your puppy’s room. It’s his safe place, his bedroom, and, provided you structure the environment appropriately, a Good Place To Be. The articles and resources referenced previously can give you more details on why crate training works and how it relates to a dog’s environment, but we’re going to focus on when and how you should be crating during the first couple of weeks.
How Do I Crate Train?
The first hurdle is to make the crate a fun place and to classically condition a positive emotional response for the dog when he’s crated. Once the crate is set up and sized for the puppy, introduce him to the crate. Bring a bag of yummy treats with you. If the dog sniffs the crate, treat immediately. If and when he places a paw inside the crate, produce several rewards in quick succession. If the dog is hesitant to enter the crate, place a treat just inside the crate (start with less than an inch), and progressively increase the distance into the crate. The goal is to have the dog voluntarily entering the crate. Repeat this exercise multiple times a day throughout the first weeks you have your dog to build a strong conditioned response.
If you feel that you need an extra reinforcer, try feeding meals in the crate. You can also provide special treat times during the day in the crate -- a popular example is a Puppy Kong filled with kibble and peanut butter. Put it in the freezer first to minimize the mess and make it more difficult to devour.
When do I crate my puppy?
The question of when to crate is fairly straight forward. During the first weeks, your puppy will be spending a great deal of time playing, pooping and sleeping, and not always in that order. Play sessions, described below, should be short, and when it’s time for a nap afterwards, make it happen in the crate. If you are cooking and can’t pay attention to the dog -- crate. If you are running to the store for less than 5 minutes -- crate. If you are running out to the back yard to do some chores and aren’t taking the dog with you -- crate.
When crate training, remember to NEVER
b. Playtime
Puppies love to play, and playing with puppies is fun. It’s a healthy and enjoyable way to build a strong bond with your puppy and, more importantly, to exhaust them so they don’t spend their idle moments chewing holes in everything around them. There are lots of fun games to play with puppies -- hide and seek, find the toy, and tug are all excellent examples that you can both pick up quickly.
Remember to keep play sessions short with young puppies. Although they have seemingly boundless reserves of energy, they need regular naps, and it’s your job to enforce them. After a 15-30 minute play session, make sure you take the dog out for a bathroom break and then put them down for a short nap.
c. The Basic Tricks
Below are a few easy tricks to get you started on the right foot, training wise. Each of these tricks will require treats and a clicker. If these items and methodologies are new to you, please refer to some of the books and videos recommended. Make sure that you have “charged” the clicker before you begin. If you are interested in training more advanced tricks, it is strongly recommended that you spend some time reading some of the books recommended. The tricks described below are very basic and introductory in nature, but will also expose you to some of the techniques used for more advanced training.
Books
The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
How to behave so your dog behaves by Sophia Yin
Communicating With Your Dog by Ted Baer
The Other End of the Leash: Why we do what we do around dogs by Patricia McConnell
For the Love of a Dog By Patricia McConnell
Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs by Karen Pryor
Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog by Leslie McDevitt
Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Dr Ian Dunbar
Bones Would Rain From The Sky by Susan Clothier
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Excel-erated Learning by Pamela Reid
Youtube videos
Domesticated Manners dog training
The Name Game
The Name Game is an effective way of teaching your new family member his or her name. The desired behavior is to have the dog stop and look at you when you say his or her name, although some people also prefer to have an implied “come” command as well. This is up to the owner, but I recommend that you start simple.
Training this behavior works best if you have two people, each with a clicker and treats. When the dog is looking away from an individual, that individual should say the dog’s name. If the dog turns in your direction at all, even a tiny bit, click and treat. The dog will then likely be focused on that first individual like a laser. That’s when the other person repeats the exercise. Ping pong the dog between the two individuals, gradually requiring more and more focus for the click and treat.
If you can complete the training above, then congratulations, you have just shaped your first behavior. Shaping is one of the harder methods to train, but it generally results in more consistent results -- provided that you are consistent with the marking and rewards.
Sit
Sitting on command is a very easy and basic behavior that all dogs should know. In the previous example we using shaping to develop a behavior, but this time we’ll use luring -- shaping a sit can be very time consuming and tedious for a brand new puppy owner, especially if they are inexperienced.
Begin with your dog in front of you, presumably standing up, with you on your knees or sitting down. Place a treat in your hand, near the tips of your fingers, and hold it just above your dog’s nose. When he reaches for the treat, don’t let him have it. Slowly move your hand further towards his eyes and even above his head. As he tries to track the treat with his eyes, he should naturally adopt a sit position when it’s almost directly over his head. The instant that his butt actually touches the ground, click and treat.
Bear in mind that you haven’t said a word to him at this point. Do this a few more times until it’s clear that he’s catching on to what you want out of him. When he is sitting as soon as you get the treat above his nose, it’s time to cue the behavior verbally. Start saying “Sit” as soon as his butt hits the ground, then click and treat. Begin verbally cueing earlier and it won’t take long for him to catch the connection between the cue and the behavior.
Once you have the verbal cue established, and the dog is sitting every time you verbally cue, it’s time to fade the lure. Repeat the exercise as if you’re holding a treat, but without an actual treat. Gradually move towards nothing but the verbal cue -- when it becomes reliable, you’re done.
Keep in mind that dogs understand physical cues or gestures much better than verbal cues, so you may choose to use something similar to the luring motion as a gestured "sit" cue in addition to your verbal cue.
Down
The typical “sphinx” down is another trick taught easily via luring. Many people teach Down from a sitting position, but in this example it’s taught from a standing position. The reason for this is that in competitive AKC obedience, a formal down usually expects that the dog’s front elbows touch ground simultaneously with their back end.
Begin in the same position as before, sitting down or on your knees, dog in front of you, standing up. Holding a treat as before, move your hand to directly beneath your dog’s chest. Hopefully, the dog will lean backwards and down to investigate the treat. As soon as both elbows and butt are on the ground, click and treat. You can then repeat and eventually proceed to verbal cueing as described above.
If your dog refuses to lean back, you can try the “tunnel” approach. Sit down and face perpendicular to your dog. Place your feet in front of your chest with your knees bent and raised. This should create a “tunnel” underneath your legs. Adjust the height appropriately to your dog. Then lure the dog through your legs using the treat, making sure to click and treat only when his elbows and butt are fully on the ground.
VII. First Two Months at Home
a. Socialization & Puppy Kindergarten
Socialization with your new puppy is a critical part of his development. This cannot be stressed enough. Dr. Ian Dunbar believes that socialization should begin within the first two weeks of birth, and the puppy should meet over 100 new people and dogs within the first 8 weeks of life.
Obviously this is an intimidating and difficult task to achieve for a new puppy owner, so you shouldn’t feel guilty if this is beyond your reach, and most or all of this period is out of your control anyways.. By the same respect, socialization behaviors are learned very early in life and tend to “stick” from that point forward.
The important thing for new owners to focus on is to aggressively socialize their new family members with as many people and dogs as possible, but to also structure these situations to be positive. Use people and dogs that you know and trust whenever possible and attempt to enroll in puppy kindergarten as well. Use the guidelines for finding trainers above to locate a puppy kindergarten class and trainer that you trust.
When selecting a class, make sure that the class is off-leash. Many puppy classes are not off leash and this tends to lead to increased frustration for both owners and puppies as they attempt to deal with the restraint. Puppy kindergarten is about socialization more than training.
b. Vaccinations
As soon as possible after obtaining your puppy, you need to arrange to see your veterinarian and take care of vaccinations. The recommended vaccinations for your puppy will vary based upon location and other risk factors, so talk to your veterinarian. A list of the diseases that are commonly vaccinated against is available in the Diseases and Parasites section.
What is MDR1 and why does it matter?
MDR1, or Multi-Drug Resistance 1, is a genetic mutation affecting herding breeds. Specific breeds are more or less predisposed to the condition, and you can find a complete list here. In general, this should not be something of concern to you, even if you own one of these breeds, but feel free to discuss it with your vet.
MDR1 affects the performance of a variety of different drugs and you need to be aware of these issues for the safety of your dog. One of the most common problems is with Ivermectin, a de-wormer and antiparasitic often used on young dogs. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation that take Ivermectin can suffer permanent neurological damage as a result.
You can find a more comprehensive list of drugs that are affected by the MDR1 mutation here. If you have a herding breed, be sure that you talk to your vet and consider testing for the MDR1 mutation.
Khelmar (a vet) has this to say about MDR-1:
The current dosages of ivermectin in prescription heartworm preventatives aren't high enough to cause issues, even in dogs with an MDR-1 mutation. The only time it's an issue NOW is generally when people try to make their own HW preventative from injectible cattle Ivomec, which is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. Frankly, if it's a Sheltie or a Collie, we just assume it's an MDR-1 mutant and go from there.
c. Spaying & Neutering
If you obtained your new puppy from a rescue organization or shelter, it has likely already been spayed or neutered. If that’s the case, feel free to skip this section.
The question of when in your puppy’s life to spay and neuter is a matter of some debate. Ultimately the decision is between you and your vet, but here’s a brief rundown of some of the talking points.
Traditionally, spaying/neutering has been performed just before the first heat cycle, usually at 6 to 9 months of age, but newer studies are beginning to promote spaying at an earlier age. Earlier spaying appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer in females (dramatically if it’s before the first heat cycle). There is some evidence of behavioral benefits in male dogs neutered at a younger age as well, although there appear to be some trade-offs to these benefits -- dogs neutered at early ages are often described as longer limbed, suggesting that there are growth hormone effects as a result of the procedure.
An expansive starter article can be found here (Thanks to Ceridwen).
VIII. Common Problems
a. Housetraining
Housetraining is very, very easy in terms of mechanics. The problems people have with housetraining are almost invariably due to a misunderstanding of canine behavior or a lack of consistency and dedication on their part. In 90% of all housetraining cases, the problem lies with the humans rather than the canine and it is an issue of communication. In the other instances, there is usually an underlying medical condition complicating the issue.
I’ve written an additional document that is freely available here. I have worked very hard in an attempt to make this as close to an all-encompassing guide as is feasible. If you have a specific question that you don’t feel has been answered, feel free to post for assistance.
MrFurious’ Housetraining Guide
b. Mouthing/Biting
Mouthing and biting with puppies is a very common issue. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to fix, the bad news is that the fix takes time. First and foremost, owners need to understand and bear in mind that, for very young puppies (3 months and less), biting and mouthing is a critical part of their development. This is the only time that you can train a soft mouth with your dog, so take advantage of that.
To teach bite inhibition and soft mouthing to your dog, you need to react the same way as another puppy would during play. If your dog is mouthing on you gently, it’s okay to tolerate this (though not necessarily encourage it).
When, instead, your dog greets you with a firm chomp on your fingers, let out a loud yelp. Most people recommend that you make a high-pitched yelp much like a puppy in pain would. The intent is that this should generate a startle response and immediately stop the mouthing. It has been my experience that this rarely works, and that’s backed up by the experience of Pat Miller. Your response to inappropriate mouthing and biting should be to immediately stand up and calmly remove yourself from the room. Running will invoke a chase game, so it’s very important that you do this slowly but confidently. Completely ignore the dog on your way out of the room and stay out for a minimum of 60 seconds.
Crating your dog in situations like this is a mistake. It doesn’t tie the consequence to the behaviour in the brain of the dog very well, and it’s also an excellent way to “poison” the crate, impeding or eroding progress you’ve already made with crate training.
The rule of thumb with mouthing, biting, and any other inappropriate behavior is that when it occurs, the game ends. In this case, this means that the “toy” (this is you) disappears.
c. Inappropriate Chewing
Chewing on things like power cords, furniture, walls and everything else in your home is another common issue for puppies. This is usually due to puppies teething and trying to relieve the pain in their gums that results, but sometimes it’s just fun. You treat these issues by redirecting on to appropriate objects and removing the opportunity to chew on the things they shouldn’t be.
When you catch your little buddy chewing on the extension cord, start by getting the dog’s attention and handing him a chew toy. If he takes it, immediately praise heavily. Rinse and repeat as often as possible. At the same time, make sure that you adjust the environment to prevent chewing on the object in the future. If it’s a cord, cover it with a cord protector or re-route it. If it’s your shoes, make the effort to put them in the closet and close the door.
In some cases, you can’t remove the object, such as the kitchen table leg. If you’re not getting the results you need, you can up the ante with a mild positive punishment as well. Start with an aversive spray such as Grannick’s Bitter Apple. You can also use chili powder, white vinegar or hot sauce -- all dogs are different (mine loves hot sauce for example). Coat the chewed item in the spray (don’t spray the animal -- your timing will never be appropriate) and hope for the best.
d. Diseases/Parasites
Puppies, like babies, have a tendency to get sick. If you are socializing them right they will be exposed to all manner of people and dogs and even with all the precautions you can take there is a good chance they will pick something up. If your puppy seems sick you need to call your veterinarian. This is merely a list of common ailments.
Diseases commonly vaccinated against:
Potential Vaccine Reactions to be Aware of
Currently there are a lot of unwarranted feelings of distrust towards vaccinations of both people and pets. Vaccines will not cause your pet to become autistic and “vaccinosis” has no clinical research supporting it. If you are concerned about the number or frequency of vaccinations your puppy is getting please discuss it with your vet. A mild fever, mild lethargy, and a decreased appetite for 1-2 days aren't a reaction to the vaccine - that shows the vaccine worked. Vaccines work by stimulating a response from the immune system, which causes fever and a mild malaise. If you notice vomiting, hives, facial swelling, itching, increased noise while breathing, or difficulty breathing, you need to call your vet right away. Those are signs that the immune system is over-reacting, and can develop into a life-threatening problem within a few hours.
Puppy Warts
Puppy warts, or canine oral papilloma virus, are common in puppies that are well socialized and spend a lot of time visiting places with other dogs. The warts generally appear on the mouth and lips and are more common on dogs under 2 than in adult dogs. They are not dangerous, although they can be painful, and usually subside within 6 weeks. If the warts impede your puppy’s eating a vet may recommend removing them. Puppy warts are not transmissible to people but you may not be able to bring your dog to daycare or socialization classes until they clear up depending on facility guidelines.
UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
UTIs are common in dogs, especially females. The infections are painful and can cause frequent urination in inappropriate locations. If your puppy is difficult to housetrain or has regressed suddenly it is important to bring in a urine sample to your vet to rule out a UTI. Other symptoms are increased thirst, incontinence, whimpering during urination, and bloody or strong smelling urine. Untreated UTIs can lead to kidney infections or worse, resulting in a much more expensive trip to the vet (and subsequent recovery) than the $30 worth of antibiotics.
Parasites
e. The Multi-dog Household
Introducing a new dog (puppy or otherwise) into your home when you already have at least one canine companion can be tricky. If you are concerned about this, here are some steps to follow from fellow poster alifeless:
If you see any of the following behavior between the two dogs, be sure to interrupt them both and separate them: