New Puppy Owners Avoid These 6 Mistakes

You’ve narrowed down the dog breed you desire than contacted rescues and interviewed dog breeders and now you’ve found the puppy of your dreams to complete your family and ready to bring home your dog …. Some new puppy and dog owners will make some mistakes that can make owning a puppy difficult, which can add frustration as well as resentment.  Be aware of 6 mistakes of new dog owners so you can have a more pleasant experience with your new puppy.

1.            House breaking or AKA potty training your puppy indoors on smooth bright white training pads  and then expecting him to automatically go outdoors when he is older. Routine and consistency is needed in your pup’s life.

2.            Sleeping with him on your bed for the first few nights and then expecting him to sleep on his  own a few days due to his whimpering. Place your puppy from the start in the location where he  will sleep permanently to avoid nighttime frustrations and suffering of your puppy.

3.            Leaving food and water available 24/7 for your pup to eat and drink all day. Overfeeding is a   major issue in canine as it is for humans now days. Schedule meals and plan portion sizes according to the nutritional needs of your dog, based on breed, weight, and size of your dog.  Refer to this weight chart if needed Dog Weight Chart

4.            Letting your guilty feelings overwhelm you so that you don’t crate train him. Crate training provides a safe haven for your pup. Letting him roam free unsupervised can lead to dangerous situations. Also, most times they will feel more secured when crated while no one else is home. This would allow you to have peace of mind, knowing your dog is safe from harm.

5.            Taking your canine before having its shots.  Immunizations are a must before you start taking them anywhere. When puppies have not had their shots they can easily catch dog diseases, leading to pain and suffering of you and your pup and expensive vet bills for your pocket.  Immunizations are cheaper than paying for long-term treatment of any disease your dog may catch.

6.            Letting your puppy do as he pleases and expecting a well trained dog. Set time apart to train for  good behavior or find a positive dog trainer who can help. Learn when to reward with treats and  when not to. Beating your dog is never the answer.