Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting time for the whole family. That squirming little bundle of love causes everyone to become excited, many times throwing the home into a state of chaos. Unfortunately, intense excitement and chaos is the exact opposite of what a new puppy really needs. Puppies require calm, assertive leadership and an established daily routine from the minute they enter your home. Take some time before your new puppy arrives to establish a puppy routine and educate family members to ensure your new puppy gets off to a good start.
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Feeding
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A set feeding schedule can encourage good eating habits and make toilet training much easier. Start by feeding your puppy three times a day, at the same time every day. Leave the food bowl out for 15 minutes and then pick it up. At approximately 12 weeks, feed the same amount but only twice a day.
Offer water three times daily even after your puppy is on a twice-daily feeding schedule. If you live in a hot climate a watering schedule can be more flexible but do not offer a puppy free access to water until potty training is complete and the puppy̵7;s bladder is large enough to ̶0;hold it̶1; if it is alone for a part of the day.
Toilet Training
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While an accident or two is almost a guarantee, keeping your puppy on a strict toilet routine will greatly reduce training time. The best idea for toilet training is to designate a spot in your yard as the ̶0;potty spot̶1; and always take your puppy to that spot. Put your puppy on a leash, walk with him to the spot and stay there. Decide on a toilet command, such as ̶0;go potty̶1; and always use this command. When your puppy begins to urinate or defecate, say the command and follow up with praise when the action is complete. Repetition is the key to success, as your puppy will soon begin to associate the spot and the command with the action. Remember that toilet time is serious business and not play time.
A good toilet routine for a puppy is to take him outside at regular intervals, such as an hour after the last time he used the toilet area. Use the following guidelines as additional criteria for creating a toilet schedule: After waking up from a nap; Ten to 15 minutes after eating or drinking; Immediately after a play session; Whenever your puppy becomes highly excited or frightened; Whenever you see the slightest ̶0;signal̶1; such as sniffing the floor area, circling, crying, and of course, squatting.
Exercise
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Exercise is crucial for a puppy̵7;s physical and mental well-being so be sure to schedule time every day to exercise your puppy. A good exercise routine is a long walk in the morning and an extended play period in the evening. Take your puppy to a dog park and let it socialize with other dogs, throw a ball, combine play with training exercises, stimulate its mind, exercise the body, have some fun with your puppy.
Grooming
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Include regular grooming sessions in your puppy routine. Regular grooming not only helps to promote a healthy coat and teeth, but is also a way to help your puppy relax. Get your puppy used to bathing, grooming, nail trimming, ear cleaning and having its teeth brushed. Accustom your puppy to the grooming process by incorporating a grooming session into its daily routine. While you will certainly not need to perform all grooming tasks on a daily basis, your puppy will become familiar with the tools and process and will definitely enjoy the attention.
Sleeping
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Puppies need sufficient rest and a place to call their own where they can sleep and relax. Crate train your puppy and establish a rest routine for your puppy so it begins to associate the crate with sleeping. Put your puppy in the crate at night, after a grooming session, or if it falls asleep on the floor or in your lap.
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