Best Advice Ever!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I've seen so many posts lately with new puppy owners sort of in a panic because of their new puppies behavior!  So, I think this may have been done before but I can't find it, so I thought I'd start it again.  Give me your absolute best tips for a new puppy owner!  I just want like one sentence (two at the most) types of things.  Easy to read, easy to understand etc.  After we get several I'll edit and put them all in a clear list and cross post in the Puppy Madness Group. 

I'll start with a few of mine.

1)  When sitting quietly, play with the ears, nose, rub their feet and between their toes, rub their bellies to get them used to being touched and handled.

2)  Even if you have had a dog before, unless you are a professional trainer, go to training classes as soon as possible.  You will learn so much and be much happier.

3)  If you find your trainer stinks, ask for your money back and go somewhere else.

4)  Join the Food Group

5)  Puppies will be puppies, see #2.

6)  If your dog(s) is/are going to be large dogs, no running or rough housing in the house!  Take it outside.

7)  Priority One after potty training is proper walking on a leash.  This is much easier to train at 10 pounds than at 90. 

Ok, you guys go!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Really wonderful advice!  I'd also add....the crate can be your best friend (and your puppy's).  When they're overexcited and you're on your last nerve....CRATE, take a deep breath or enjoy a glass of wine, look at how absolutely adorable this puppy is, and then you're ready to go again.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Very good advice too:)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Socialization socialization socialization. Before those puppy shots are complete be imaginative. Take your puppy in your arms onto busy street, to meet lots of people especially those who aren't in your family. I don't have young children so we sat outside the school gates at the end of the school day.
Introduce umbrella's , bicycles, hats and all those scary things and as soon as you can get your pup to a puppy socialization class.

[Linda and Bailey]

When my Bailey is eating I will run my hand down her back, I will stick my fingers in her food bowl. I have done this since the day I brought her home and she is fine with it.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

All puppies bite.  Not a thing you can do to change Mother Nature.   It passes. 

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

YES, YES, YES! the only thing I can think to try and keep the biting at bay is to include the give kisses command into training. We put Peanut Butter on our hands and when Jace would lick it off we would praise him and say "give kisses" worked like a charm and we plan on doing that with Willow. 

[BG and Gavin]

Here is an old discussion that I started that has all my best tips:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/everything-i-ever-needed-t...

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

One word:

Consistency

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen, Elizabeth. 

[Jennifer Tramell]

Live with your puppy.  Do life with your puppy.  Develop a relationship with your puppy.  Get to know your puppy.  I know this sounds simple but so many people segregate their dog into "dog time".  They train, feed, groom, and walk the puppy but don't "do life" with their dog and the dog doesn't feel like a true part of the family. Our dogs watch tv with us, clean the house with us, garden with us, go to Lowes with us, they are with us in every part of our life.  I can sense what is wrong with them, if they are hungry/thirsty, if they aren't feeling well, if they are nervous, etc. In turn, they understand our body language, have a great understanding of common words, sense our feelings, and are devoted beyond words.   

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Like

[Sally S Miles]

Yes - in a nutshell get to know the dog, all are different and all have quirks. 

Naps are a good thing. If you are exhausted, puppy knows - but it's prime time for a cuddle.

 

Read - learn canine language and try to remember that 'this too shall pass', but your body language speaks volumes to the dog.   Two strangers must co=exist - therefore a means of communication must be developed and that takes time.

My best advice is to love 'em and remember that they love you even if you do have flaws.