Getting ready for a ‘paw’some welcome!

The pup has just left its own dog family of baby brothers, sisters and its mother. This can be stressful for the pup. Give him a little time to adjust to the new surroundings and people. You have to replace all the love and care given by the mother to the doggo!So how do you make this transition easier for both you and the pup? Take a look at a few tips to follow.

Step up and prep up!

There are a few things you should purchase before you bring a new furry friend home. This will help in management.

• Bring a new bed for the pup. Keep this bed in a place which the dog can easily go to. Initially you may need to keep it inside your room as the pup maybe a little scared at night. But then gradually if you wish, you can move it to another place.
• Buy two bowls- one for water and the other for food. Get the pup to eat from its own separate bowls right from day one. This goes a long way in puppy training.
• Get pee pads. A pup will poop and pee almost everywhere. So, while you’re getting him trained, pee pads come handy. Encourage your pup to defecate on them from the first day in the house.
• Get good quality premium dog food. Your pup is in its growing stage and it is imperative to provide him the best nutrition. Ask your vet for your dog and buy pet food accordingly.
• Don’t forget chew toys. Your pup will want to chew since he is in teething phase. Bring soft chew toys which you know your pet will spend time with. These will encourage him not to chew on furniture or your hands.
• A collar and leash are really important. Get your pet used to wearing the collar for a few minutes daily and then increase the time gradually. Always use a leash to walk your pup as it will make your pup used to the concept of wearing leash and collar.
• Odour and stain cleaning supplies to maintain hygiene and cleanliness are crucial. These are used as and when necessary. You can talk to your vet to know which ones are the best.

Alexa – ‘Find the best vets in my area’!

Besides the above, there are a bunch of other necessities that you need to take care of. To start with, make sure you have a vet at hand. Discuss with your family and friends about the vets they visit, and take your pup to the vet as soon as you bring him home. Let the vet examine him and give you a file as a record for your pet’s deworming and vaccination schedule.

Crate for positive reinforcement

Invest in dog crate or gate. It may be difficult to always monitor your pup while you’re working, cooking, or doing any other chores around the house. You can put your pet in a safe place and give some chew bones and toys. This way he will learn that being in an enclosed area is not a punishment. Use it as a positive reinforcement to train your pup.

Toilet training – start early and see the difference

Once the dog is vaccinated, you must form a “going out” routine with him. It’s important to teach your pet not to poop and pee inside the house. The best way to do this is to take him outside at regular intervals. Most of the times, when your pet will wake up, he will want to pee within ten minutes. So, take him outside and reward him with a treat when he does the job right. Do this exercise at least 4-5 times a day. When your pet is indoors, encourage him to pee/poop on the pee mats. If you’re outside the house, please clean up after your pet does his job and keep the surroundings clean too. You can easily buy a poop scooper online or in any pet store.

It’s all in the name

Select a name for your pup. Encourage him to come towards you by using its name often. Reward him with a treat when he comes to you on being called upon!

Happy and holistic environment goes a long way!

Give your pet a holistic development when you bring him home. Be consistent in your own behavior towards him so that you don’t have a home-wrecking pup. Get a professional who uses positive reinforcement methods to work with your pet for his obedience training at home and outside.

(Rangnath Tamboli – Teacher’s trainer for advance dog training; Saba Poonawala- Co-founder- Pune Chennai Dog Training Academy).