New puppy ownership tips: Things to know when getting a puppy
Our expert advice
Advice by Lindsay Arliss, Dog behaviour and training specialist
To help you cope in those particularly difficult moments with a puppy, having a safe area, like a comfortable crate or puppy pen to place them in for you to have a breather may save your sanity!
Your puppy will bite you, it’s inevitable. But you can be prepared for this by offering large toys for them to chew on instead. Get a couple that are the same size as your puppy, they’ll think they have a wrestling buddy, and it will save your fingers!
The key to successful housetraining is being organised. Routine is important and taking them outside regularly, after eating, waking and playing will speed up training.
Young dogs need lots of sleep and they won’t if the environment is noisy with too much stimulation. Set aside times in the day where all is calm for your pup to rest undisturbed.
Puppies need exercise and lots of activities to learn about their environment while they’re young. If they’re not yet fully protected by their vaccinations, take them out in the car and carry them around the local area to introduce them to all the things they’ll see on a daily basis.
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Make sure your pup has plenty of safe chews, toys and a soft cosy bed to relax in, this will be super comfy in a crate or ‘den’.
If you have children, protect them from your puppies sharp teeth by having protective shoes to save their toes getting bitten (clean wellies are good for this)
Clean up any accidents left by your puppy with biological, enzymatic cleaner. Leaving any odour of wee for your dog will encourage them to return and toilet in the spot again.
Lack of sleep will make unwanted behaviours worse like puppy biting and chewing.
Once your pup is fully vaccinated, take them out for their first walk. We’re not talking about a full-on hike here, just a gentle stroll for short periods of time, with plenty of rest to watch things going on around them.
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If pup freezes on a walk, let them take in their surroundings and assess the situation - they’re likely to be overwhelmed and this will pass.
It’s normal for some puppy training to be repetitive, particularly puppy biting. Keep consistent and you will see success, eventually!
Three things you can do today
Keep your puppy entertained
Kong toys, lick mats, puzzle feeders and other food toys will keep your puppy calm, quiet and entertained in their crate or den.
Watch the world go by
A puppy doesn’t need to be taken out for a long-distance walk, just sitting and watching the world go by is enough for them to take it all in.
Get training support
It’s worth kick starting with training early. Research local, qualified dog trainers to offer support when you need it.
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Carla
📍 Wales
- Dog breed: Corgi
- Dog age: 3 years
- Owner expertise:
I was struggling with my dog's anxiety, especially when we had to leave the house. Thanks to Woodgreen's advice, I've made some changes that have worked wonders. By sticking to a consistent routine, my dog knows what to expect each day, which has significantly reduced her anxiety.
Sarah
📍 Sussex
- Dog breed: Cavapoo
- Dog age: 1 years
- Owner expertise:
This advice really helped me and my new pup! I tried teaching recall without your guidance and struggled. Woodgreen's step-by-step dog training videos break each action down for you and I'm happy to say we finally made progress!
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