I’ve always had a dog at some point in my life. I finally got my own 5 years ago and here are the top things i’d share with myself by then

[trumpetsound]

1. Your puppy will seem super chill and calm from 2months-4months so don’t abandon reinforcing that calm, good behavior. Puppies go through phases and the amount of times I’ve heard people say ‘he’s so calm and chill, I think I lucked out!’- when the puppy is 10weeks old is hilarious. Mentally prepare yourself for the ‘teenage’ crazy years when their energy and confidence to test you are maxing out.
2. Socialize, socialize, socialize. I know it’s Covid times so it’s hard but do everything you can to socialize your dog with other dogs. Find good (seriously, I mean good!) dogs to play with your pup, find other puppies and get out there as much as possible so your dog encounters as many as possible before they hit 16weeks. Dogs form a lot of their confidence and socialization skills before they hit 16weeks so it’s important to get as many good experiences as possible under their belts in addition to the usual sound and people socialization.
3. Avoid dog parks, unless you see good referreeing or intervening by dog owners. Just like a play yard for school children, not all dogs behave and it’s important that they get intercepted. Some folks treat dog parks like a free for all daycare and then their dog is the one running around causing chaos, barking in faces, aggressively chasing etc. Then they wonder why their dog gets in fights or gets corrected by other dogs for their behavior. Anyways, if you have a pup, I would highly recommend controlled play where everyone is on board with what good ‘dog play’ is.
4. Puppy blues are a real thing. Forgive yourself if it’s harder than you expected and sometimes you just want to give up. Training or adjusting to this new life can be hard and training isn’t linear so it’s understandable if it feels like a rollercoaster- especially with Covid!! Just exhaust your dog, train and repeat, then focus on the little milestones
5. When physical release isn’t enough, go to mental stimulation (do this early too tho). At some point, you’re never going to physically be able tire out your dog anymore. That’s when you should include mental stimulation! Be it through a puzzle, training or a big long chew session, it’s important to add mental stimulation to your daily dog routines. Think about it, imagine you had to run 7miles then come home and do a crazy math test?! You’d be zonked after that double whammy and so would your dog so if you’re noticing that your pup is now outlasting you energetically, compliment your walks or play sessions with mental stimulation. Snuffle mats or lickimats for example are great energy releases too plus can be a great way to feed them their meals!
6. Learn common dog etiquette. This is a big one, especially for those who have reactive dogs. It’s important to never let dogs meet on leash or get super close to one another, even if your dog is friendly. Some owners have reactive dogs and most of the time, they need space from other dogs in order to protect their dogs safety and confidence as they try to rehab them. Letting your friendly dog just walk up to them, especially if unleashed, can set off the other dog and could be bad news. Always give a good 6 foot birth (easy these days lol) when walking by other dog owners and for gods sake, if the area says to leash your dog and most are leashed, please leash your dog!
7. Don’t be hard on your dog. Your dog is your best friend and literally lives for your approval and love. Make sure to enjoy them for where they are at in their training, don’t compare them to others and just enjoy them for the selfless little snugglemuffins that they are!

Edit: jeez my grammar sucks

Edit 2: Post 1: I made a blanket statement saying that ‘your’ puppy will seem chill when really it should say ‘some’ puppies seems chill. As someone kindly pointed out, that could feel misleading and very demoralizing for folks who are experiencing the opposite. My main point is that you will hit peaks and valleys energetically so to mentally prepare for that and not to stop reinforcing calm behavioral states. Thanks for the solid call out Reddit friend!

 

[cravinmaven]

@trumpetsound Thank you for posting this! First time puppy owner here, our working cocker spaniel is 10 weeks old and needs a lot of stimulation! I've got to a few points of wanting to give up, feeling the blues etc... I didn't bond with him right away but now I feel like we are more in tune and it's amazing!

I wish I'd read this a couple weeks back when we first brought him home but I am grateful to see this now to realise how rewarding this is and will be!

 

[salvationatyourfingertips]

@cravinmaven I have a working lab who has just turned one, stick at it! When it all comes together it’s worth it

 

[lilysun]

@salvationatyourfingertips As the owner of a 10 month old adolescent working lab who is fitter and possibly smarter than me does that mean it has come together for you at 1year? He is mostly fantastic but lock down has only increased his excitement levels around other dogs leading to selective deafness and pulling and we are working on this a lot.

 

[salvationatyourfingertips]

@lilysun She turned one over the lockdown, I’m not sure whether it’s the more time I spent with her (I’m a full time student working away from home) but it all seemed to click in her brain, the control and distance work especially - we too are still ironing a few things out such as lead pulling as she still has her puppy crazy moments! Every dog is different but I know a very experienced trainer working with her litter mate and they’re on roughly the same level!

 

[bt2461]

@lilysun My kelpie just turned one and the selective deafness is better but not gone!! They do test you in this puppy adolescence phase. I’ve taught her more tricks to refocus her

 

[lilysun]

@bt2461 Thanks! It’s good to know. I’m trying so hard just to stick to training. We learn at least one new trick a week depending on how quickly he picks it up whilst also doing hoopers and obedience classes and developing existing training. I love a kelpie. They aren’t that common in the UK though. I’ve never seen one in person anyway.

 

[2cosmic2charlie]

@cravinmaven I’ve got a proper energetic working cocker spaniel and absolutely can guess every feeling you’re going through! Keep at it, I’m at 4 months now and he’s becoming a real gem. Which is stark compared to the first few weeks when I thought he hated me and genuinely worried he was an aggressive dog. He’s so sweet.

Always around if you want to talk working cocker pup life!

 

[cravinmaven]

@2cosmic2charlie I have hit points I thought he hated me too! I tend to be the punishment giver compared to my partner, but that’s because I work from home full time so I am with him more. When he has bitten me and barked at me like mad, I’ve felt personally attacked and really sad about it. But I am finally starting to see that he does do it to us both, it’s just how I react that makes it worse. I am learning so much as I go! It is getting easier, but then a difficult day comes and it all feels like we are back to square 1 again! Really appreciate your reassurance though, it has really helped to feel less alone!

 

[2cosmic2charlie]

@cravinmaven I really really feel you on this, I spent my first weeks with my face in books, reading blogs and googling “does my puppy hate me?” That I developed a hard routine around what to do and what not to do. Routine is hugely important, forced naps really helped my little bugger to stay away from his bad moods for example. BUT I felt I clicked with Finn once I let go a little and just had fun, make absolutely sure you play with your pup as spontaneously and exciting as possible - even if you have to force yourself to do that against your nature. I’m introverted myself!

Give me a direct message if you need to vent, I did something similar with someone from Reddit and it saved my sanity.

Please keep on caring, try not to tell him off too much, get his tail wagging and reward all of his licking. It gets better so fast, feel like only yesterday I was crying multiple times a day. I’m only a little ahead of you

 

[mapes21]

@trumpetsound I was about to unfollow this subreddit because as a new puppy owner it’s usually just filled with people complaining/venting (understandably) about puppy blues, which isn’t very helpful or inspiring. Most posts here just increase any blues I might have. Thanks for this positive and useful post!

 

[imagebeastmarkbeast]

@mapes21 you could try training subreddits and maybe vet types it usually has some kind of advice even for pups

 

[solas35]

@trumpetsound Hey, I got a puppy Yesterday. We've made some research, we're still learning now. But she can't get out until she has all her vaccines. To protect herself and other dogs. She has her last vaccine in September at 3 months and a half. And then, we can start taking her outside and get her to socialize. But so we have 2 weeks for her to socialize and get used to other dogs ? Is the 16 weeks mark really that important ?

 

[leoncb]

@solas35 16 week mark is very important.

To add to what other people have said, carry them out anywhere and everywhere you can. Sit on a park bench, walk past lots of busy roads, carry them on buses and trains if that is ok where you live, walk past bin trucks, introduce them to suitcases and people in wheelchairs, people in hats, sunglasses, people of different races, children, old people. Anything you can think of.

This is a good checklist of things to get them used to in the outside world and at home

If you know any vaccinated older dogs that are gentle then have socially distanced meetups with them.

It can be tricky especially now but it is so important so your pup isn't fazed by the world when they are finally allowed in it.

 

[solas35]

@leoncb Pretty extensive list, I'll try to experience that with her, thank you! I'll find a good bag to transport her.

 

[leoncb]

@solas35 It is an extensive list and don't worry too much about hitting everything on it.

In my untrained opinion the idea is just to get them used to getting used to things. Finding a loud noise, or strange sight and realising that loud noises and strange sights aren't that bad. If that makes sense.

Good luck with it.

 

[becknps]

@solas35 Hi! While the 16 mark is important, you're not going to have a horrifying or ruined dog if youre not able to use that time frame. I adopted my pup at 4 months from a shelter and we had to wait another ~3 weeks for vaccines to finish, and while he's a handful he's not fearful, reactive, etc. to new things, people or animals.

This sub frustrates me with the complete and utter emphasis on the only healthy puppy experience being one where you get an 8 week old from a breeder, that's not how everyone gets their best friend. You're going to do fine, socialization is a continual process their whole life, prioritize their health and safety first.

In the 3 weeks before my pup was "fully rendered" as I joke, we took him to pet friendly stores like Petco and home depot, but kept him in a sanitized cart with a towel, so he could meet people and see new things at least! Also, we lucked out and found some neighbors with similar aged puppy— if you find someone with a dog who's health and vaccine records you trust it's totally ok to have playdates with them in a private space like their yard or one of your homes.

 

[solas35]

@becknps I'm sure my wife knows friends with fully vaccinated dogs. We'll try. She's way too small for now. She's still 7 weeks old.

 

[becknps]

@solas35 Oh! Sorry I totally misread your original comment, I thought your pup was 3 months. Still, puppy playdates are a godsend!

 

[jimbone]

@solas35 You can still take your puppy out, just try to carry it or have it in a doggy stroller/carrier rather than let it touch the ground, until its vaccinations are clear. I made the mistake of being too scared to take my dog anywhere before her vaccinations were done and by then she already had fears and crucial socialisation opportunities were lost. Sure she was healthy, but now she has a whole host of behavioiral issues to deal with even though we tried to do everything “right”.