Are you ready to devote the time necessary to help your puppy adjust to it’s new family and home?

Bringing a new puppy home is much like having a new baby.  Consider taking a little time off work so you can spend adequate time helping him adjust.

Socialization:

Enroll in a puppy playgroup.  A puppy should be exposed to at least 100 new people before he is 12 weeks old. If he seems overwhelmed by too much socialization take it slowly, you could be doing more harm than good. Have a puppy party at home so your puppy can meet lots of people.  Car rides, people wearing hats, men with beards, children and other dogs are experiences that will help your puppy be a well adjusted dog when he grows up.

Provide a safe place for your puppy when he is home alone.  Be sure to give him a chew toy, stuffed kong and play some soft music to help him settle in.  Through A Dogs Ear is a wonderful CD series to help dogs relax, check them out at www.throughadogsear.com

Housetraining 101.

Monitor his water intake.  Take puppy outside to relieve at least every hour, treat and praise heavily for each success. Don’t leave puppy unsupervised during the house training process. Don’t scold your puppy for relieving in the house if it happened when you weren’t watching.

Bite inhibition.

Make sure puppy has suitable chew toys available.  While playing with your puppy if he bites your hand make a sound that lets him know he hurt you and stop playtime immediately.  Try again after a few minutes.  He will learn very quickly that his teeth are not for biting you.  If he is chewing something that he is not allowed to, remove it from him and replace it with his chew toy.

If you can’t watch your puppy because you are busy, on the phone or cooking dinner you should put him in his crate or suitable play pen area until you are done. This will help avoid house soiling accidents and getting into things they shouldn’t.

Gone are the days of waiting until a puppy is 6 months old to start training. Most of all, have fun and enjoy bonding with your new family member.

I had a particularly thought provoking conversation with one family about his dog.  He asked if I knew what he could do for “Little Man” because he had a cough and was concerned. He explained how Little Man saved his life from a path of destruction. He made a choice one day.  He had some money and could either buy drugs or buy this dog.  He chose the dog. He may be homeless but he is clean and sober and loves his dog.  I have to admit I was affected by his story.  These pets might be all they have to motivate them to get up and keep going every day.

I remembered an article I once read about veterinarians offering free services to the homeless families for their pets.  I went home and did some research and found what I was looking for.   Portland Animal Welfare Team or PAW team offers this very service.  I went to their website and learned more about what they can offer and how others can help. They are holding clinics on the first Sunday of the month at the Bud Clark Center.  We will be going back downtown to find the family with the sick dog and tell them where they can find help for Little Man.

PAW team needs donations for cat and dog food, unused medications in their original packaging, harnesses, collars, leashes, kitty litter and the list goes on.  They also need help on the day the clinic is open for various positions.  While everyone is in the giving spirit this holiday let’s not forget the homeless.  You can go to this website to learn more http://portlandanimalwelfareteam.org.

Here’s wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Shelley McGee