Did we hear you have a new puppy? Congratulations!! We look forward to meeting them soon! In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you on your journey. Please feel free to reach out to us directly if you need assistance with any leash training, house-breaking, and personalized visits while you’re working or otherwise occupied!

1. Training Tips:

• Establish a consistent routine for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. The earlier the better, as puppies will learn best within the first 16 weeks of life.

• Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise to encourage desired behaviors.

• Be patient and consistent with training sessions, keeping them short and frequent.

• Supervise your puppy closely indoors to prevent accidents and redirect inappropriate behavior. 

• Consider crate or pen training for puppy’s safety. Enroll in puppy training classes or seek guidance from professional trainers if needed.

2. Health and Nutrition:

• Choose a high-quality puppy food appropriate for your puppy's breed and size.

• Follow a regular feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity.

• Schedule vaccinations and deworming treatments and spay/neuter as recommended by your veterinarian.

• Keep your puppy up-to-date on preventive care, including flea and tick prevention.

• Monitor your puppy's health and behavior closely and consult your vet if you have any concerns.

3. Behavioral Challenges:

• Provide plenty of chew toys and teach your puppy what is acceptable to chew.

• Use positive reinforcement to discourage barking and jumping, rewarding calm behavior instead.

• Redirect your puppy's attention away from undesirable behaviors with toys or training commands.

• Consistently enforce boundaries and rules to establish a clear understanding of expectations.

• Seek professional help from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist for persistent behavioral issues.

4. Exercise and Enrichment:

• Incorporate daily walks and play sessions to help your puppy burn off excess energy; this also promotes bonding between you and your puppy.

• Offer a variety of toys and puzzles to keep your puppy mentally stimulated and prevent boredom.

• Engage in interactive games such as fetch or hide-and-seek to continue mental stimulation and strengthening the bond between you and your puppy.

• Explore different environments and socialize your puppy with other dogs and people to build confidence. Locally, our sitters take pups to Home Depot, Lowe’s, almost anywhere dogs are allowed. 

• Monitor your puppy's energy levels and adjust exercise accordingly to prevent overexertion.  

5. Bonding and Building Trust:

• Spend quality time bonding with your puppy through cuddling, grooming, and gentle play.

• Use positive reinforcement to build trust and strengthen your puppy's confidence in you as their caregiver.

• Respect your puppy's boundaries and avoid forcing interactions or punishments that could damage trust.

• Be patient and understanding as your puppy adjusts to their new home and learns to trust you.

• Create a safe and nurturing environment where your puppy feels secure and loved.

6. Preparing for Growth:

• Just as with a child, you will want to puppy-proof your home. There are guidelines for this with various obedience clubs, or you may ask Tallahassee Lassie to come to your home and help with this process.

• Provide appropriate chew toys and teething aids to help soothe your puppy's gums during the teething phase.

• Gradually increase the length and intensity of exercise as your puppy grows to support their physical development.

• Update your puppy's collar and tags with current contact information as they outgrow their puppy collar.

• Consider transitioning to adult dog food and adjusting portion sizes as your puppy reaches maturity. Seek out feeding guidelines based on age, breed, and activity level. 

• Continue training and socialization efforts to help your puppy develop into a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog.

These points should help puppy owners navigate the joys and challenges of raising a happy and healthy puppy. As always, Tallahassee Lassie Pet Care has locally managed professional pet sitters and dog walkers, as well as pet education specialists; consider us the village to help you raise your puppy!

To sign up for assistance with any of the above, go to our website and click “new client.” 

Thanks, you’re pawsome!

Carla

Carla McClellan is the founder and owner of the award-winning business, Tallahassee Lassie Pet Care. She holds degrees from Florida State University, University of South Florida, and credentialing through Pet Sitters International and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Carla enjoys promoting wellness within the animal community, helping others growing their own businesses, and serving her community through board work and philanthropy. She currently authors for several magazines and online publications.