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The Hard Truth About Raising a Puppy

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May 2, 2019 by Kristi Stone 2 Comments

Having a puppy is not easy. It might seem like it would be, but it’s not as simple as it would seem. On social media, we see adorable puppy photos which depict the fun part of bringing a puppy home–the cute moments. It could be quietly snoozing, or looking at the camera with its perfect puppy dog eyes. But there’s so much more to it than that, as I learned when we brought our Bella home. And me, being your true friend, am here to tell you that there is much more to raising a puppy than that lovely puppy smell, baby cuddles, and sweet puppy dog eyes.

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While having a new puppy is so very rewarding, these little furbabies require much work, love, and attention, likely more than you may first think. It was absolutely more work than we anticipated when we brought our Bella home!

If you’ve got your eyes on a puppy that you want, and it seems that the whole world is pushing you to get one, then there’s a few things that you need to think through. I’m listing a few “puppy tests” to consider, because they are tests you’ll need to pass with flying colors if you want to be a puppy parent. Knowing these things beforehand will help you immensely in being the kind of “fur mama” (or “fur daddy”) you want to be!

Our Bella, 5 weeks old

The Nighttime Dramas of Raising a Puppy

There will most definitely be some nighttime dramas involved with your puppy’s first few nights at home. Most puppies tend to experience separation anxiety, and sometimes the only thing that works to quell their fears is your presence. If you don’t plan on sharing your bed with your new puppy, you will need a way to ensure that you both will get a good night’s sleep each night!

When you’re puppy is new to your home and still training, the last thing that you want to do is allow them to roam the house unsupervised. Leaving them unattended this way is a good way to get your shoes chewed on, or step in a warm puddle of…something.

To avoid years-long destructive patterns and sleepless nights, you’re going to have to try and knock out of the park early on. Getting your puppy into a good routine asap is just as important as it would be for a newborn baby.

Our dog Bella sleeping in our bed after surgery - The Hard Truth About Raising a Puppy - Stone Family Farmstead
Because we knew we were choosing to bring home a dog whose breed is well known as an anxious breed, we chose to share our bed with her. Our bed is her safe spot still to this day. This is her recovering from her spay surgery earlier this year.

Crate Training to the Rescue

If you don’t plan on sharing your bed with your new puppy for years to come, you could get an indestructible dog crate. This will give them a safe place they can make their own, and you can use it to teach them to relate it to nighttime and winding down. This will also ensure that you both are able to get a good night’s sleep every night.

Not sure where to start? Here are some instructions for crate training from the American Kennel Society.

The Potty Training Fiasco

Potty training a puppy can be just as hard as it is to potty train a child, and if you lack consistency it can be even worse. Some dogs just don’t quickly grasp the concept of it, which is why we think that starting the training from the minute you bring them in the door of your home is so important.

One way is to put a puppy pad by the back door, and every time you suspect that it’s time for them to do some business, rush to put them on the mat. After meals is a good time to start with. If they do their business on the right spot, reward them, and eventually they will learn where the right spot is. As soon as they can go outdoors, take them, and they’ll then relearn a new right spot!

The AKC has few more articles that may interest you on puppy pad training and simple indoor potty training, as well as a helpful schedule.

Our dog Bella with Edamame, our dumpy frog on her head - The Hard Truth About Raising a Puppy - Stone Family Farmstead
Bella is an extremely well-behaved dog. However, it is good to know that her breed, the Vizsla, is well known for being friendly toward other animals. This is not recommended to do with aggressive dog breeds.

Teaching Them Who’s Boss

Having been the major caregiver for Bella throughout her puppy training, I had to let her know who was boss right away. Her breed and gender made it very easy for me to do that, and she has learned to rely on me for her needs over the years, whether that be meals, company, or simply just comfort.

Our dog Bella sniffing a handful of farm fresh eggs - The Hard Truth About Raising a Puppy - Stone Family Farmstead
Today, Bella is a very well-behaved dog, even around food.

Having said that, there are certain behaviors that you will need to train out of your puppy while he or she is young. Sometimes you may even need to be a little bit rough and tumble with them. I’m by no means advocating hurting your puppy, but rather, mimicking their own parents’ training behaviors.

When they’re playing and trying to nip you, try bearing over them and pushing them down, so that they know you’re boss. Remember not to be too rough, but also understand that more aggressive behavior would have been used by their parents to assert dominance. You only need to do it for a short time while they’re young, and they’ll soon pick up on who’s boss!

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Filed Under: HOME & HOMESTEADTagged With: RAISING PETS AND LIVESTOCK

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Comments

  1. Jacob Thomas Kenneally says

    May 12, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Great tips here!

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      May 13, 2019 at 10:07 am

      Thanks Jacob!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kristi!

A little about me….For the past 6 years, we have lived on a scant acre in Southern California. I am the wife of the greatest guy ever….also a veteran ex-homeschooling mom of 3, grandma of 1, and fur mom of many!

Besides writing, my hobbies are gardening, herbs, crafting, scratch cooking, food preservation, goat breeding, and teaching all of these things here, to you, on Stone Family Farmstead’s website.


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