Summer is a great time to bring home a new puppy. I of course, recommend  adopted a puppy from your local shelter like the SPCA, but even if you grab one off an internet add or get one at a pet store there are a few things you will need to make sure the next few months go smoothly.

1. Chewing- many puppies like to chew, it is a natural behavior that should not be discouraged, but encouraged using the appropriate toys. Any heavy rubber toy that you can stuff your puppy’s meals in are great, Kongs are the most well known and all pet stores carry them. They seem rather uninteresting at first but you stuff it with your puppy’s breakfast every morning and you will have a dog that not only is satisfied and sleepy after meals but is becoming infatuated by chew toys, rather than your shoes that also smell great! (but you would rather were not covered in punctures).

2. Nipping- Also a very natural behavior and not one that predicts aggressive tendencies.  However, young puppies have very sharp teeth and very weak jaws, this means that although their nips hurt they don’t cause much damage. Now is the PERFECT time to start teaching bite inhibition! Let your puppy play with you and if they bite just a little too hard, yelp! and turn away. A few seconds later return to your puppy, ask for a sit. Then you can continue to play. Don’t make your “hurt” last too long and always end on a positive note. Read After You get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar

3. Toilet Training- There are multiple guides on toilet training, I have written about it a couple of times in previous blogs. It isn’t hard but it does take a little patience and the willingness to clean up messes if you forget to take your puppy out in time! A “potty journal” is a great way to get your puppy trained that last 10% of the time.

4. Jumping up- Puppies primarily jump up because they are happy to see you and they want to greet and smell your mouth. It is very confusing for them when this greeting is met with a knee to the face. Please don’t do that. Simply ignore your puppy and instruct all your friends to ignore her until she calms down and shows you a nice “Sit”.

5. Socialization!!!!!- The most important thing you can teach your puppy. Before she has all her shots she shouldn’t be going to public areas to walk around, but you CAN and SHOULD be introducing her to ALL your friends (calmly and safely-don’t let them chase her around the house). Carry a treat bag around with you and anyone new she meets or any loud noise that happens she should get a treat during or right after.

She can start socializing with puppies her own age when she is done with her shots, but don’t introduce too many at one time, that can be overwhelming! If it is a large group then keep her on the outskirts until she looks comfortable. Introduce her to older, calm dogs that LIKE puppies (not all adult dogs like puppies!). You want her to have as many positive experiences with as many situations, people, dogs, and noises as possible before she has one negative experience. I guarantee a negative experience WILL happen. So bank those positive experiences so the negative one doesn’t colour the rest of her life.