Bringing Home a Puppy? Training Tips for New Portland Pet Parents
You’re planning to bring a new puppy into your Portland home, and you’re hoping to get a jump on puppy training. To set yourself up for success, you’ll need to be prepared -- but being new to pet parenthood, you’re not quite sure what to do.
As luck would have it, you came to the right place. At Blackwood Canine, our puppy training experts believe it’s only natural for new pet parents to need a little guidance, and we’re happy to help make sure that you and your little tail-wagger are on the path to a bright future together. Below, you’ll find our best tips on how to plan for the day your young pup comes home along with advice that can help make puppy training easier.
Make Sure Your Home is Ready
Before your new furry friend first sets paw in your Portland home, you’ll need to make a few preparations. You can expect your young pup to get into everything – even things they shouldn’t – and for their protection, puppy-proofing is essential.
To get your home ready, our puppy training experts recommend choosing an area where your new dog can’t get into any mischief. Use dog gates to block off the space, and be sure to remove any potential safety hazards. The easiest way to accomplish this is to down on the floor at your pup’s eye level and look around. If you see anything that could be a danger, such as an exposed electrical cord or toxic plant, move it out of reach. Do the same for anything else you don’t want your tail-wagger to chew on.
Get the Essential Supplies
After you puppy-proof your Portland home, your next step is to pick up the necessary gear to keep your furry friend healthy, happy, and comfortable. The puppy training experts at Blackwood Canine suggest purchasing the following:
Dog crate – Housebreaking isn’t easy, but crate training can help your young pup learn the rules. A crate can also help them feel comfortable in your home, setting the stage for success with puppy training.
Dog bed – Speaking of comfort, your little tail-wagger deserves to have a cozy place to take a snooze. To that end, shop around for a plush dog bed that can easily fit inside the crate.
Dog food – You’ll need food and water bowls, of course, as well as food specifically formulated for young dogs. If you’re not sure which type of food is best, ask a puppy training expert.
Walking gear – When you’re ready to take your furry friend on a walk, you’ll need the right supplies. A dog collar and training leash are must-haves, and you might want to pick up some poop bags and a poop bag holder.
Training gear – Rewards help dogs learn, so pick up some treats designed for puppy training and a pouch to keep them in. You may want a clicker, too, as a click followed by a tasty treat is a good way to teach your young pup new skills.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
When you welcome your new puppy into your Portland home, you’ll want to instill good habits and help them learn how to behave early on. Keeping their developmental needs in mind is important, and puppies need plenty of regular exercise to grow into strong and healthy adult dogs. Therefore, our puppy training experts tell new pet parents to provide lots of opportunities for movement and play.
Taking walks is a good idea, and your furry friend is sure to enjoy exploring the neighborhood. Remember, though, that they may not have all that much stamina, so start with short walks and ease into longer treks. As for playtime, try tug-of-war with a rope toy, a game of fetch, or letting your puppy splash around in a kiddie pool.
Work on Socializing Your Pup
According to our puppy training experts, socialization – or the process of introducing new experiences and situations in a safe, positive manner -- is one of the most critical steps in a young dog’s development. By properly socializing your young pup, you stand a good chance of avoiding behavior problems and puppy training issues as they grow older.
To safely socialize your young pup, try these ideas:
Expose them to grass, concrete, gravel, and a variety of other surfaces
Play recordings of loud sounds, like fireworks, sirens, and thunder
Introduce new situations, like bouncing a balloon around or blowing bubbles
Visiting a lake or river and letting your pup observe and explore the area
Setting up a puppy play date with a friend who has a well-behaved dog
Be Patient and Positive
When you get a puppy, it may take some time for them to adjust to their new surroundings. Some puppies need just a few days or weeks to settle in and get comfortable, but for others, the adjustment takes longer – and knowing this, you can understand the importance of patience when it comes to puppy training.
The use of positive reinforcement and reward-based puppy training can also help your furry friend become accustomed to you and your home. Offer praise and treats when they respond correctly to a command or act in the desired manner. And when they do something you don’t like, such as jumping up on your legs or nipping at your toes, turn the other way or take away something that your tail-wagger finds desirable. With this puppy training approach, your new dog will have an easier time learning how to behave.
Talk to a Puppy Trainer
If you want your young pup to grow up to become a happy, well-behaved, and well-adjusted adult dog, you may need to find a qualified local puppy trainer. Scheduling private training sessions or enrolling in a puppy jump-start program can ensure that your new furry friend learns the basics, and the fun experience can also help foster a lifelong love of learning. For top-notch puppy training in Portland or elsewhere in northwestern Oregon, pet parents trust Blackwood Canine.
We’ve been training puppies and adult dogs for more than ten years, and our professional team knows how to achieve results. For more information on our services and our approach to puppy training, or to speak with a Portland puppy trainer, contact Blackwood Canine today.
