Get it right with your new puppy

Rearing a puppy is a huge responsibility and they depend entirely on you, so start your puppy on the right paw for success.

Studies have shown that the most important stage of a pups development is between the age of 8 to 14 weeks of age.

Some very common question that new puppy owners will be asking themselves:

• “Is this the right puppy for me?”
• “Did I rush into this?”
• “I wish I had thought through my decision.”
• “Am I horrible for wanting to give my puppy back.”

Taking care of a puppy is hard work! One of the hardest parts is adjusting your schedule to the amount of time a new puppy requires. Training proper behaviour takes commitment, for the first few months.

A lot of people, even more than you may think, experience serious doubt and despair when they get a new dog/puppy.

Would you know how to stop your puppy from jumping up, or biting hands, being possessive over food, or conquering that dreaded walking on a lead with out pulling?

Here are some comments made by owners who find the whole process of taking on a puppy, a real challenge.

“Oh, I think I have adopted the worst puppy in the world.”

“I’ve had my dog three days and I can’t take it anymore.”

The first few days can seem impossibly difficult. But it does get easier. This is not the time to give up. It is the time to ask for help.

“I wanted a dog my whole life. I did tons of research but I was not prepared for the energy in a puppy.”

Getting a puppy is a bit of a culture shock, even if you have had one in the past, it is so easy to forget how much work is involved.

“I had dogs growing up but I was not prepared for this much work, my parents did it all, and I had no responsibilities, I just played and loved him. I thought that was all he needed.”

Maybe your last dog truly was an angel who could do no wrong. Or maybe you have forgotten how tough the early days with your last dog were.

Maybe the dogs you had in the past were less active and energetic breeds.

Even professional dog trainers can have a rough time with their new dogs. Every dog presents new and exciting challenges. They keep you humble that way.

It is easy to fall madly in love with a new puppy on the first day. But in some cases, it is a process. Bringing your new pup home is only the first step. You still must build the relationship.

“I’m a prisoner in my own home, as the puppy chews everything when I go out”

The thing about raising puppies or adding a rescued dog to your life: is if you do it right, it takes up all your time. The more work you put in now, the better things will be later.

“It is just exhausting with all the house training, 24/7 supervision, keeping the puppy from biting the toddler, not sleeping, and just the pressure of being responsible for another living being for the next 12-ish years.

But these issue, with the correct training will be temporary. Eventually, the puppy will be house trained, the dog will not require a tenth of the supervision he requires at the beginning, he will sleep through the night, he will stop harassing the toddler.

“I just want my life back.”

When you have put the work in, that “I want my life back!” thing? I am pretty sure you will not feel a year from now. The dog will become an important part of your family, and you will not be able to imagine life without him.

The early days with a new puppy may disrupt every aspect of your life. You now must think about all your little daily routines that used to be on autopilot. Plus, raising a new dog is a lot of emotional hard work, which can leave you just as exhausted as physical hard work.

So, does all this mean I can guarantee that with a little hard work, everything will be just fine? Of course not. There are certainly some cases where everybody would be better off if the dog found a more appropriate home.

But the vast majority of these panicky, “I just can’t keep this dog anymore” situations resolve themselves – if you are willing to ask for help and put the necessary work in.

So, if you have no experience in bringing up a puppy, or are struggling, then please ask for help.

SO, WHAT HELP CAN WE OFFER YOU?

Our early puppy ‘life skills’ learning sessions, are for puppies from 8 to 24 weeks of age.

You want to get this right, so let us do some of the hard work for you, and also help you to understand their behaviours and needs, and help you get through those early weeks and months with your new puppy.

Our early ages puppy training, will work on the very start of those basic obedience and important life skills. Your puppy will learn through relaxed play, and move at each puppy’s pace providing plenty of socialisation and key skills.

We only work with one puppy at a time, so they will have our full attention.

Photos and video clips can be put on to a USB stick, for owners to study at home or sent via the internet. Also, articles on dog behaviours and body language, will be provided relevant to each session.

What we teach your pup will be tailored to suit you, and your puppy as individuals, depending on your requirements.

The Location of these sessions will depend on the behaviour, that we are working on each time.

Prices will also vary, depending on the time and frequency your puppy spends with us, and possible travel costs. So, we will need to discuss with you your needs, and how we can support you.

Starting cost though are £40 for one hour & £60 for two hours.

Roann’s dog therapy Team will give continued help and support during and after the Pre-school stage of your dog’s life.

To Discuss how we can help you, please contact:

Tel: Anne (CFBA)                07966031466

E Mail: roanndogtherapy@outlook.com