Puppies are a handful. Yes, your hands are holding onto soft fur and an adorable little face, but they’re full nonetheless.
Here are four helpful tips to simplify the transition period for first-time dog owners.
#1 Establish Rules Early On
Will they have to sleep in their crate at night? Are you going to allow them onto the bed with you, or will they have their own doggie bed? Do they have to stay in another room during dinner time, or can they lay by the table?
Once they’re snuggling up to you every night, or you’re giving in and tossing them the last scraps off your plate, there’s almost no turning back. Don’t let them get away with anything you don’t want to form into a habit.
Decide beforehand which rules you’ll be enforcing, especially if there are other people in the house who are going to act as the dog’s caretaker. Maintain a united front, even when the puppy dog eyes make you weak.
#2 Create Pet-Friendly Rooms
As hard as they are to say no to, you should not give your puppy free reign of the house before they’re properly trained.
Your dog can’t spend all day in even the most comfortable dog crate, but you also shouldn’t let them roam free, especially when you’re occupied and can’t properly watch them. This site has an excellent assortment to choose from: https://www.impactdogcrates.com/collections/crates
Don’t keep your pup tucked away in a room that no one uses. Instead, install a dog-safe baby gate in the doorway to section off a central location of your house. This will grant them a little bit of physical freedom without any real independence (or trouble-making opportunities).
#3 Calming Treats
Everyone needs a little something to manage stress—your dog is no different.
Giving your dog a nightly hemp treat or a dose of pet-friendly CBD can have immense benefits, especially in their adjustment period. Take a look at this resource for different pet-friendly CBD options: https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-for-pets/. If you’re on the fence about CBD—either for humans or dogs specifically—here are just a few potential advantages:
- Reduces anxiety – This is great for any new pup who is adjusting to a new environment with a new group of people.
- Can ease pain – Just because your dog is new to you doesn’t mean they’re truly “new.” Older rescue dogs especially often have minor aches and pains that don’t warrant a procedure but still make daily life difficult.
- Treating phonophobia – This is really just a fancy word for “is scared of noise,” but it’s quite common in dogs. With CBD, Halloween fireworks and TV show gunshots don’t have to send your pup into a tailspin—and not the cute chasing-their-tail kind, either.
If your dog has any known allergies, be sure to take these into account before administering any form of CBD.
#4 Socialize Your Dog in a Safe Way
Some dog owners don’t understand boundaries.
Their dog (probably adorable, but that’s not the point) will come bounding over to you and your brand-new pup. They just want to say hi, but your little guy isn’t used to this kind of attention yet. Their dog is all over yours, sniffing their butt and wanting to play. The owner hangs back and lets it happen, not caring at all about how visibly uncomfortable your dog is.
Bonus points if they call out, “Don’t worry! They’re friendly!” from a distance.
In stressful or overwhelming situations, dogs and especially untrained or unsocialized puppies will instinctually lash out. It’s not your fault or your dog’s, but you might get blamed anyway.
Here are a few steps you can take to protect your animal (and yourself):
- Tell the other owner that your dog isn’t in the mood to play today—the canine equivalent of “it’s not you, it’s me.”
- Ask them politely to please restrain their dog or put them back on their leash.
- Remind them that dogs are required to be on a leash in public spaces, aside from explicitly marked off-leash areas.
- If they refuse, calmly move along, placing yourself between your frightened pup and the other animal.
A great way to acquaint your dog with other animals is by signing up for an animal obedience course. This will also teach your pup basic commands that will help you with more advanced training down the line.
Welcome Home, Fido
The opportunity to welcome a furry friend into your home is exciting, but also intimidating. They’re well on their way to becoming your best friend, but they’re also on their way to pull underwear out of your laundry, steal food off the counter, and pee on your antique rug (sorry, great aunt Pearl).
These tips are just a few ways for your pet to get used to you and their new home. And hey, who says a nightly dose of CBD can’t be something you and your pup enjoy together?