Getting a puppy is in a way like having a child. You are taking responsibility for another being… this puppy is completely reliant on you for it’s survival. That’s a big job, but you’re up to it!
First a few tips on dog psychology, to help you and your puppy be on the same page and speak the same language.
1. Dogs are not humans. Their social structure revolves around a “pack”, not a human family or a social friend group. You are the “pack leader”, the lead dog in this pack. Your dog instinctually knows he relies on you for his survival. He will do his best to please you and to protect you when necessary
2. Dogs are not social animals like humans are. They don’t wish to enjoy tea parties and go to rock concerts. Their first priority is their own safety and the safety of their pack. Yes, you can train them to be OK around people and other dogs. But realize that dogs naturally are highly territorial pack animals. Think of human beings earlier in our evolution, when we lived in small warring tribes.
3. Dogs are fiercely protective of their pack: that means you, your spouse, your children, and any other pack members. That means that by definition a non-pack-member is considered a threat.
If you let your dog in the backyard, close and lock your gate so a neighbor or a child doesn’t walk in and make your dog feel threatened.
4. Just like humans, every dog has his own personality, his own temperament, and his own baggage. He can feel happy, he can feel sad, he can feel loved, lonely, etc.
5. Unlike most humans, dogs will give you unconditional love. When you go out to take out the trash and then come back in, it’s just the best thing ever… he’s so happy you’re back, he’s wagging all over himself.
food – your dog is biologically not that different from you. You shouldn’t eat junk and neither should your dog.
The better (and more natural) the food you give him, the more healthy he’ll be and the better life he’ll enjoy. Feeding humans only granola bars and feeding dogs only “dog food” (kibble) is about the same thing. No need to go crazy and only feed them “raw food” (unless you do that for yourself too), just remember the same rule as for humans: natural, unprocessed food us best, and avoid grains whenever possible.
Dogs require plenty of exercise. Puppies especially have a lot of energy, and if they don’t use that energy constructively (walking, playing, running) that can lead to “bad behavior”. This is no different than locking your teenage boy in his room from the outside and wondering why he goes totally stir crazy.
toys – chew toys. puppies need to chew for their teeth to develop. give them things to chew on or they’ll find delightfully chewy things in your closet (i.e. your shoes). Pla ah
potty training
Dogs instinctively know not to “go” in their bed / home, but just like a small child, they can’t comprehend that your whole house is “their home”. Remember how as kids we all made “forts”? Same thing… you wanted a small area you could comprehend as safe, as yours.
Don’t hit your puppy. There are far more effective and more loving ways to correct unwanted behavior.
Hitting is cruel, unnecessary, and ironically ineffective. When we hit an animal (or a human) it’s usually out of anger, not to improve the situation. Or it’s because we saw someone else do it, so we think it’s the right way. But it’s not. When you hit, pay attention to how wrong it feels. That’s because it IS wrong.
A dog understands “dog speak”, not hitting. Hitting a dog (or a human) makes him fear you and trust you less than before, so he may be afraid to do something in front of you – but it does nothing to correct the behavior when you’re not there.
How to correct behavior: a firm “no” will almost always do it for a puppy. To escalate, make a low growling noise. Another escalation option is again what a mama dog would do: lightly grab the puppy by the scruff of the neck. Do not shake or grab hard, it coudl cause damage: the point here is the gesture, it will remind the puppy that you’re in charge and you don’t approve of the behavior.
Dogs are very much in tune with us: they already sense your disapproval. So a firm no, light growl, or light scruff hold will almost always make your point abundantly clear.
Reward positive behavior – not talking treats here. Say “good dog!” and give him quick pat on the header EVERY TIME you see desired behavior.
Make your home toddler safe.
Pick up any small objects that are easily swallowed. Like a human toddler, dogs of all ages like to chew on and swallow small components, plastic pieces, etc. which can make them very ill, require surgery, or worse.
puppy beds, pillows, blankets
barking – what it means and how to make it stop
Dogs usually bark when they’re scared. Think of a child yelling “stranger danger!!”… it’s the same thing. A dog locked up alone in a backyard is probably scared. he can hear and smell so much going on, and he’s all alone, away from his pack. Not a happy place for a dog.
To stop the barking: understand what’s causing it. then verbally discourage it. a sharp clap of your hands is also very effective – the noise startles your dog and gets his attention. Combined with a light growl this is a very effective approach.
consistency and persistency – as most women will tell you about getting your man to do “x”, be consistent in what you’re asking. if you’re “sometimes consistent” then you’ll get “sometimes good” results.