Owning a pet is a huge responsibility, and it can feel daunting at times. A new puppy, whether a gift from Christmas, a birthday, or adopted from a shelter, can change your whole life and routine.
If you’ve got a new puppy recently and are struggling with the lifestyle change, there’s plenty of advice available.
While training a puppy can feel impossible, there are steps you can take to ensure your new companion is well-behaved. Here are some of the most common problems for new puppy owners, and how to deal with them.
Struggling to cope with the chaos
A new puppy in the house comes with all sorts of mess. Whether they’re running a riot through your well-kept garden, chewing on your kids cuddly toys, or weeing on the floor, it’s not easy to deal with the first few weeks when your puppy is settling in.
But it’s important to remember that while this is a big life change for you, it’s a massive change for your puppy as well. Try to stay calm and remember that this chaotic period won’t last forever, and your pup will be snuggling up on the sofa with you in no time.
The dreaded toilet training
While it’s known toilet training can be a task, you won’t understand just how time consuming and relentless it can be to toilet train a stubborn puppy until you have your own.
It takes time and patience to toilet train any pup, but don’t fret, you’ll be able to reap the rewards soon enough. And there’s no shame in asking your more dog-experienced friends or family for advice.
It’s vital that you have a bathroom area for your pup, establish a routine, and use positive reinforcement. Take your puppy outside after meals, naps and playtime to try and get them used to toilet time.
Worrying too much
A dog is a massive responsibility, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with worry over small things. Are they eating properly? Are they eating enough or too much? Are they supposed to make that noise when they sleep?
It can feel like you’re a parent with a new born baby, but it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious when being responsible for a puppy’s wellbeing. There are plenty of online advice forums you can turn to, but if you’re really concerned and something feels seriously off, the vet is always a phone call or appointment away.
Lack of sleep
With your new puppy up at all hours running a riot, it’s perfectly normal to be sleeping less in the first while after your pet comes home. Fatigue can make everything feel worse, and at times you may wonder why you even got a puppy at all.
But don’t worry. If it really all gets too much, you can ask friends or family to help look after your pup for a few hours while you take a well deserved rest. You can even look into enrolling your pet into puppy day care to ensure they’re being looked after.
Although it can feel like the end of the world, this unstable time period can help establish deep connection between you and your new dog, which will make your relationship even stronger in the long run.
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