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Initial Puppy Problems

Writer's picture: Tracy PeachTracy Peach


This is it, you've brought your puppy home, your so excited to show them off to everyone and about the new life you and your best friend are going to have together.

Then the sleepless nights kick in, the constant watching of your puppy in case they chew something they shouldn't and the house training. It can get quite overwhelming at times and certainly not what you imagined having a puppy would be. Are you worried you made the wrong decision and actually having a dog wasn't right for you?


Rest assured, we have all been there. Having a puppy or new dog in the house, is a huge and sudden lifestyle change. The problems you have can seem like they will never go away, and this certainly isn't what you signed up for. So here are a few tips to help with those puppy problems.


1) They aren't puppies for long and this phase passes really quickly. Cherish every moment, every naughty thing they do, because it flies by. Before you know it they've stopped doing all those naughty things that made you chuckle. Small dogs are mature by 6 months to a year of age, larger dogs it's slightly longer, and that puppy phase is over. Each week you will see a huge difference in your puppy, they will sleep for longer during the night, they can hold their bladder for longer and they learn your routine.


2) It's OK to be overwhelmed and worried. It happens to everyone. There is so much to worry about, are you feeding them enough, are they happy, are they healthy, are you doing things right, are you good enough to be a dog owner, what if I get it wrong?

Don't worry, this is normal, and ultimately you will get it right and you will be a good dog owner. Your lifestyle change makes you worried and suddenly you have a puppy that is your responsibility.


3) Seek advice if you are worried about your puppy in any way. If you are worried about their health, and puppies can get poorly very quickly (they also bounce back equally as quick) then pop into a vets. If you are worried about their training, behaviour or just general settling into your new home, then find a qualified behaviourist to speak to. Also a good puppy breeder will always be there to give you advice, throughout the lifetime of your dog, and they often have many years of knowledge to hand. Find some friends with puppies or dogs and chat to them. They have probably been through the same struggles you have and can give you a supportive ear and remind you of the joys of dog owning. Or join a local puppy class to meet with people who have puppies of a similar age to yours.


4) Take some time out. Maybe find a family member or friend that will puppy sit for a few hours. Some 'me' time will help you come back to your puppy refreshed and ready for more adventures and games.


5) Remember your puppy is just a baby. They are 8 weeks old, tiny, helpless, reliant on you and have just been uprooted from their littermates and breeders and thrust into your new home. They are having to fit into this new life as much as you are. They are not being difficult or naughty, they just don't have that understanding yet. Time and patience and love will help them adapt quicker. Remember they don't yet know about house training, they don't know some things they can and cannot chew, you have to spend this time teaching them those things. This is the most magical time of puppy ownership. You create a bond and relationship through your training. You can teach them a new trick or game and be amazed at how they do these things we ask them to do.


6) All the training can be overwhelming, but what you are actually doing is investing in your new puppy. Remember why you got them, we call this your 'powerful why'. All of us have a dream life that we want with our puppies as they become dogs. Maybe yours is to go on long walks, maybe you want to do a sport such as agility with your dog, maybe your puppy is going to be your lifelong companion. When you loose focus and wonder why you got your puppy, just go back to your powerful why. Investing in the training now with time and hard work and energy is building the foundation of a life together that you dreamt of.


Puppy classes are a great way to get advice and chat with owners of puppies of the same age as yours, so you don't feel alone in your puppy struggles.





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