Puppies new to a home need your patience and understanding to get to know you and your family. A few simple tips and tools can help make the transition go a little smoother. Keep reading to find out more about how toys, discipline and crate training can help.
Best Toys for Puppies
Your puppy needs a few things to feel secure in his new home. Give him a special place to sleep, and eat meals. Provide a mixture of toys to keep him active and entertained. One of the reasons new puppies chew so much is that they are still teething, but this calms down over time. Get toys that he can toss, throw and chew to work out that nervous energy.
Mental stimulation keeps his mind active and out of trouble. So, puzzle toys are great for intelligent breeds. Thick ropes are great chew toys that double as the prompt for a tug-of-war game with you. Rubber balls and bones help puppies bring in their first teeth.
Puppy Socialization
When you bring the puppy home, take him for a walk around the house to become familiar with this new kingdom. Then, if you have another dog, consider walking them both on neutral ground, such as the sidewalks outside your property. If the dogs are happy or indifferent to one another, maybe it’s time to take them off-leash in a fenced, secure area, like your back yard.
Allow one to two weeks to make sure the dogs are getting along and watch their interactions. Don’t leave them on their own until you know they are comfortable together. Keep up established habits with your first dog so he doesn’t feel left out or threatened during feeding or playtime. Don’t let the dogs antagonize each other. You are their alpha and if you allow it, bullying will continue. Be especially careful during transition times, such as when the family is getting home or leaving the house,
Not all dogs will like each other, but as long as they respect one another and the house rules, you should be okay. Just try to spend time with each of them separately as well as introducing group play time. Socialization is vital to helping your puppy become a healthier and happier pet. It is much easier on everyone if a hyper dog isn’t waiting at the door to fly at you or picking fights with another dog while you are at work.
Socializing your puppy to cats can be a frustrating prospect. Just make sure you don’t scold your cat too much, or it is likely to hold a grudge and take it out on the new dog. Some cats and dogs get along famously, while others tolerate one another and claim different areas of the home for their own.
Why Crate Train a Hyper Puppy?
If you have a dog that ransacks the house or chews on furniture, you may have to consider crate training. Before you begin acclimating the puppy to crating, know what makes him feel secure already. Never use the crate as a punishment. The crate can:
- Create a safe den for your dog (It doesn’t have to be scary!)
- Keep him out of forbidden areas
- Help with potty training (He won’t want to go in the crate while he’s in there.)
When you are traveling with the dog, a crate is his safe place among unfamiliar sounds, smells, and people.
Taking the time to acclimate your puppy to a new home will earn his love and trust. Your dog will do anything he can to win your approval, and just a little effort in the beginning can make things easier down the road for everyone. It will be worth it when you receive compliments on what a mature, well-mannered pet you have.
Bring your puppy in to visit us at Camino Seco Pet Clinic for a check up to make sure they are healthy and happy!
