It’s More Than Just “Sit” & “Stay”…

 

Welcoming a new furry friend to your family is exciting, but it also means a lot of preparing. We love to help pet parents – whether it’s their first pup ever or they’re a seasoned dog owner – with new puppy tips to get ready to bring home their dog!

Raising a puppy is hard work, and requires focus on these 3 areas: training, nutrition, and enrichment. Let’s go over our favorite tips & products to make puppyhood a breeze!

 

 

TRAIN FOR THE DOG YOU WANT.

 

Training your puppy is much more than basic commands, it’s about strengthening your bond. When your dog trusts you and looks to you for guidance, your relationship will be harmonious through adulthood.

When training your puppy, it’s important to focus on how you want your dog to be in your day-to-day life. For example, if you are hoping to travel with your dog, crate & car training are crucial. If you love to hike, you may want to emphasize a strong recall.

But before you can get to the fun stuff, you need to work on foundational behaviors. One of our go-to dog trainers, Mike Meringolo of CUE9, says he always focuses on behaviors like touch, eye contact, and place when beginning training a puppy. These commands teach confidence, impulse control, & emotional regulation, which will put your dog in the best place to learn obedience.

Once your pup is able to confidently focus and follow basic commands, it’s time to move on to those everyday behaviors. While commands are great to learn, lifestyle behaviors are even more important. Puppies require a lot of rest, and many times they don’t know how to self-regulate this. Whether you use a crate, a place mat, or a settle command, you must practice and teach rest with your puppy. This is best done after a play session, training, or a long walk, so your dog can learn that rest is needed after mental or physical exertion.

Another lifestyle behavior to focus on is socialization, with other animals and people. It’s important to use this time to teach neutrality, especially if you have a high-energy or working breed dog. This will help your dog default to a calm headspace when encountering new friends, reducing reactivity. Be sure to train initially with dogs and people who are relaxed and demonstrating behaviors you want your puppy to mirror.

Of course, training is best done with positive reinforcement, a.k.a. rewards. And what’s the best reward for a dog? Treats! Using a training pouch filled with a variety of high-value treats of different textures & tastes will keep your pup locked in on your training session and eager to please. If your puppy doesn’t seem to be food motivated, no problem! Use positive attention or their favorite toy as a reward instead.

 

 

FEED TO GROW.

 

As puppies rapidly grow, they require a special diet tailored to their needs. Feeding a puppy formula is important when giving dry, wet, or gently cooked recipes. If your puppy is eating raw food, you will need to adjust feeding based on their weight – this guide is great for raw feeders of a pup!

Your puppy’s diet should be full of high-quality proteins, fats, calcium & phosphorus, and carbohydrates. These will support their growth and development, making them all crucial to include in regular mealtime, treats, and chews!

Most people choose one or two proteins and stick with them throughout puppyhood, but variety is key. Unless your dog is showing signs of allergies or intolerance, you should rotate proteins as much as possible. Starting a variety in their diet young can actually prevent intolerances in adulthood and strengthen their gut lining. This also helps them get the whole food nutrition that comes from different sources of meat and produce.

A boost of certain nutrients never hurts, especially in puppyhood. Instead of waiting for problems to arise to start with supplements, there are a few we love to use from the start! Omega-3 fatty acids are wonderful for brain and joint development, making them a great addition to your pup’s bowl. This is especially true for large breed dogs to protect their joints as they grow! Additionally, whole food probiotics such as goat’s milk and fermented veggies can help promote good gut health early on.

 

 

BUSY WITH TOYS, NOT YOUR COUCH.

 

Puppy energy and teething can leave people wondering “what have I done?!”, but don’t worry, it won’t last forever! To get through these puppy stages, it’s important to keep your dog mentally enriched. While physical exercise is also important, mental stimulation will prevent destructive behaviors.

Teething is inevitable, but damage isn’t. Stay ahead of your pup by providing plenty of chews and lick mats to soothe them, especially between 2 and 6 months. While they have their puppy teeth, focus on softer chews (no antlers, marrow bones, etc.!) and frozen treats.

Our favorite puppy chews are bully sticks, beef gullets, and Earth Animal No-Hides. And we love frozen treats like West Paw Toppls, Woof Pupsicles, and lick mats. As with any age, stay away from rawhide that isn’t digestible and can cause blockages, and monitor your puppy with new chews. If needed, chew holders provide peace of mind against choking.

Many overwhelmed pet parents want to calm their puppy’s energy with an easy fix, like CBD, but this energy is natural. It’s important to research your breed of dog to see what they are most fulfilled by. For example, working breeds like labs and shepherds do great with sniff-and-seek games to tire them out. 

If possible, get into a steady routine with your puppy of exercise, play, and rest. When dogs know what to expect, they are more likely to rest when needed. It’s important to teach this early and provide tools to combat boredom. This will keep your pup happy and from resorting to chewing on your furniture – win, win!

HERE TO HELP!

 

As always, our team at Barkfield Road is here every step of the way – from puppy to senior. Every dog is different, so we would love to help you find the perfect fit for your pup when it comes to food, treats, and more! Stop by (with your pup, please!) or contact us anytime for personalized help.