Puppyhood & What I’ve Learned So Far
Well, we have officially had Freddie for one whole month! It has been both the most fun, rewarding experience seeing him come into his own & get comfortable with his new space & family, and also probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’d like to start by saying that I’ve never had a puppy before, and neither has my boyfriend, so training a puppy has been a first time thing for both of us. If you’ve ever had a puppy, you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say that at first, you think you’re absolutely failing at this whole thing. But, since we’ve now had him for a month, we’ve figured out a routine & we’re all more comfortable with our new addition, I want to share with you all some of the things I’ve learned so far with having a first-time puppy.
They’re Going To Have Accidents All The Time
This kind of speaks for itself, and honestly, if you don’t already know this about puppies & you’re considering getting one, you should. It’s always going to feel like “hey, he’s figured out to go to the door” and then suddenly he just decides to poop on your bed… yes, that is a real life experience.
Consistency Is Key
Another relatively obvious one, but one that needs to be said anyways. I learned this the hard way, but my boyfriend and I weren’t exactly on the same page with how to train, how to properly “scold”, and when he gets treats at first. If you’re doing it alone, you’re probably fine, but if you’re training a dog with a partner, you guys need to get on the same page on how you’re going to handle everything so the puppy won’t get confused.
You Go Through A Lot Of Treats
Yep, you’re going to reward them a lot at first. I can’t believe how many treats we go through, especially since it’s not like we give him massive-sized treats! But whether you’re training commands, potty training, crate training, or just seeing good behaviour, you need to reward them when they do the right thing, and the best way they understand is through treats. Freddie’s already gotten into a habit of sitting when he comes inside from doing his business since we make him sit before he gets his treat. You’ll want to make sure you have a low calorie treat on hand - Freddie’s personal favourites are Benny Bullys.
You’re Going To Be Sleep Deprived
Be prepared for this one folks, because if you’re someone like me who thrives on a good night’s sleep, this one sucks. You are absolutely going to be waking up 2-3 times a night, minimum to let your dog out for at least a month, maybe two. Generally, puppies can only hold it for 1 hour for every month old that they are, plus maybe one hour depending on the breed, so they’re going to need to go every 2-3 hours when you first bring them home. Don’t worry, it gets better. Freddie already sleeps through some nights (I’m talking from 9:45 until 4:45, but I consider that a win!)
Crate Train Your Puppy!
I know this one is going to be so hard, but I promise you it’s not only going to be better for you, but most importantly, better for your dog. Crate. Train. Your. Puppy. They will quickly learn that it’s a safe space for them, if done correctly. Here are some tips on crate training from The Humane Society. Also, don’t make the mistake I did - make sure your puppy’s crate isn’t too big; only give them space to sleep, and rotate around. If it’s too big, they’ll absolutely start doing their business in there, which trust me, isn’t fun to clean up.
Puppy Teeth Are The Worst
Okay, this one I was so unprepared for and I don’t even know why. Every puppy I’ve ever met has been relatively gentle and for the most part, isn’t trying to bite or nip at me, but oh man, once Freddie got comfortable, that’s when it started. Puppy teeth are like daggers in their mouths, and they hurt when they bite you hard. Every dog is different, so you need to find a way to get them to stop, whether that’s taking them to classes, yelping, giving them a toy or bone to chew on, whatever it may be, but do not physically harm them (obviously). Just know, it gets better around 3-6 months when they start falling out… but then the real fun begins when they chew on absolutely anything… that’s for a different blog though.
They’re Going To Steal Your Heart
Lastly, but certainly not least, they’re absolutely going to steal your heart & become your whole world. As hard as this all is, I’ve never loved something the way I love Freddie, and I wouldn’t trade him for the entire world. He’s seriously the sweetest boy (when he’s not trying to bite me), and I love him with my whole entire heart.
Well, that was only a few of the things that I’ve really learned about puppies since we got Freddie, but I feel like those are the most important ones. If anyone has some puppy training tips, leave them in the comments below, because I’m always looking for new ways to make sure my little Freddie is happy and living his best life. See you again on Wednesday & don’t forget to sign up for my monthly newsletter before you leave!
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