There is no doubt in any dog lover’s mind that the canine is man’s best friend. But let’s turn the tables. How can you be your mutt’s best mate? So you’ve brought a cute little fur ball home and the poor thing is still wondering where he landed. You are technically a new parent, a caregiver and your puppy’s guardian angel. Here are some tips to make your puppy feel at home.

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  1.      COMFORT

This has two meanings. Let’s look at the first one. Your puppy is basically a furry baby. Also, it has just probably been separated from it’s mother and siblings. You need to hold it as much as you can because not only does it need warmth and an assured hand, but the more you keep it close to your skin, the more the brain is wired to recognize that your smell means comfort. You need to acquaint your puppy with yourself so that you are always the go-to person for when it needs some reassurance.

Another meaning for comfort is that this is the ideal time to introduce your pup to its own bed or safety corner where he or she will be sleeping every night. A soft pillow or blanket is another way to wean off your puppy from the usual warmth of its own mother’s side. Comfort is key in the initial days of your pup’s new home.

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  1.      BE KIND

Yes, you might be tempted to get your puppy to start learning the tricks of the doggy trade as soon as possible. Maybe you want to show him off to your friends that have champion dogs who can jump through fire hoops. But you need to calm down. Eventually it will happen, one step at a time. Your puppy is still trying to get your vibe, so be patient and loving and that’s right: affirmative is the word. He or she is a scared little thing, so for the first few nights, spoil it rotten, but get certain things clear: it’s ok to jump into bed with me, but it’s not ok to do your business on the carpeted floor. At the end of the day, you need to show who’s boss and that is always going to be you!

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  1.      LEARNING YOUR LANGUAGE

As the official “owner” of your puppy, it is key that they understand your commands and follow your language. Start with tone. A loud assertive tone means that a certain activity is off limits, while a kind, soothing tone means that it’s pampering and petting time. Using affirmative words like yes and no will also go a long way. After all, your puppy knows limited English so do not confuse it with Shakespearean phrases. If you have a rambunctious pet, you might have to repeat your command a few times. Do not give up. Keep training and rewarding them every time they get it right. Sooner than later they will learn to adhere to your every command.

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  1.      LEAD BY EXAMPLE

It is an added bonus if you already have another trained pet at home. It can lead by example and through their own canine language teach the little one the rules of the home. It is extremely unfair if you differ in treatment of each of your pets. Of course, let the elder ones help the pups out for a while, but show all of them that they are equally loved and appreciated. It is sometimes difficult to distribute affection among each of the pets equally, but precariously let the elders know that now they will have to share the love and let the little ones know that all is fair and square within your household. It will do wonders in the long run.

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  1.      LET THEM LEARN

Your puppy is going to bump it’s nose against a wall and glass several times because it is basically learning the sights and smells of this world. Let it be. A few tumbles and your pet is going to teach itself what is off limits and what isn’t. That is called animal instinct. Yes, you love your puppy and want what’s best for it and it hurts your heart to see it get hurt even a little bit. But it’s ok. Remember the scrapes and bruises you got as a kid? It made you a better person today. The same goes with your puppy. He will get the hang of it and might even enjoying doing a somersault from off a high level couch. It helps with some awesome future memories.

 

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