08/01/2024
NEW PUPPY OWNER .......
On the way of puppies to their new homes, I wanted to address a common problem breeders face with new owners.
Realistic Expectations
You see the pictures and videos of the breeder and the puppies are all social. They are quiet in the enclosure. The breeder shows you videos of them completely relaxed, happy and playful. Everything looks wonderful and you take your puppy home.
Then the reality hits. On the first few nights, the puppy may cry in the crate, leaving you tired and restless. Happy, cuddly puppy refuses to greet the half-dozen overly-excited friends you invited to see your new puppy. Or the over excited, playful children you have at home. The puppy is refusing to walk on the leash. Many wonder how my perfect puppy turned into a nightmare.
So let’s talk about realistic expectations when a puppy comes home. At first, the puppy was at the breeder's house from birth. He had his mother and often litter siblings. They had their routine, were introduced to expectations and were comfortable in their surroundings.
Now they are suddenly brought to a completely new environment. Imagine being exposed to an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. They only know a few words of the native language. Other trees, animals, smells, temperatures and people. In the meantime, we change your routine, decide to party with people you don't know, and ask you to take on tasks you have no idea about. This is overwhelming, to say the least.
This is what every puppy goes through when they get to their new home. Stress comes in many forms. He doesn't eat, doesn't want to play and doesn't greet people. They're anxious when they have to go to the vet or when strangers attack them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can also occur.
So what can you do as a new owner to help your little one settle in?
- Most puppies take 3-4 weeks to adjust to their new homes. I repeat: THREE to FOUR WEEKS, sometimes even longer! Not just 1-2 days. I cannot stress enough how much time it takes for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
- Limit attendance within the first week. We understand you're excited to show off your new baby, but it will take time to adjust. Plan 1-2 weeks before inviting guests.
- Ask the guests to sit on the floor and let the puppies come to you. No squeaking and grabbing for the pup
- Establish a good routine
- confine puppy to a small area of house. Not only does this prevent it from being crowded, it also allows you to observe it.
- Don’t expect an 8-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Work at home instead with a leash he feels comfortable on. Let him pull on the leash and encourage him with treats to go with you.
- If your puppy refuses to leave, give him time. On my first trips to town with pups, a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement because they need time to take in the new environment.
- Understand that your puppy needs time to see you as family. It’s unrealistic to expect instant attachment.
- train your puppy. This will not only help you build a bond, but also help the pup to orient and orientate towards you.
-Children are also a big stress factor for small, fragile puppies. Please keep your pup in check at all times when children are around.
- And finally, you should be patient. Don't explain, "something is wrong with this dog". Nothing happens overnight. Excursions should be planned at puppy pace. Even if you're imagining a nice walk around the lake, it's possible that your pup can only run a short distance that day.
Most outings take a very long time for me, as I often just stand there while the puppy carefully explores the new environment. Patience is the A and O!
Remember this: If the puppy was wonderful at the breeder but is struggling now, as the owner you need to help the puppy adjust, which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give positive experiences to the pup. Every puppy is an individual. Don't compare your current puppy to past pets and don't judge their behavior based on how another dog did. Lastly, try to see things from the puppy's perspective and adjust situations accordingly.
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