When does having a puppy get easier? (5+ tips)

In this article, we will answer the following question: When does having a puppy get easier? We will give you 5+tips on training your puppy so that this experience will become enjoyable despite the difficult times. 

When does having a puppy get easier?

A puppy is a new member of the family that you must educate and teach how to behave in certain situations.  Raising a puppy, regardless of its breed or size, will be a long process. You won’t see results overnight, so don’t get frustrated. 

Remember that it is a small animal that is learning everything about life. Try to enjoy the process. The key to success: patience and perseverance.

You must know well what care and attention your puppy will need. You need to know what is “normal” and what is not. In this way, you will know how to identify if there is any strange behaviour and you will be able to consult your veterinarian or canine trainer in time.

The moment is now. Keep in mind that what you do not correct now that your dog is small will be more difficult to correct when he is older. For example: If you now think that it is adorable when it jumps to welcome you home, remember that in a few months it can weigh about 30 kg and it will no longer seem so cute.

The stages of your puppy

During the first weeks of life, our puppy needs to learn many things from his mother dog, father dog and brother dogs, things that we cannot teach him even if we have all the will in the world. This period is known as the socialization or imprinting period and ranges from 3 weeks to 12 weeks (3 months of age).

Therefore, the ideal time to bring a puppy home at 8 weeks of age. Since, it is still in the socialization stage and has had enough time to learn many things about its canine family, things that are essential for its correct development.

This is why the first weeks at home are key for it to become a safe, calm and sociable dog; to avoid future fears, but you need to establish a strong bond and thus have a fantastic life together.

The first days of your puppy at home are especially hard, you have to take into account many things. 

During this time the puppy accepts new stimuli with great ease, both good and bad stimuli. So it’s important to make all of your puppy’s experiences positive. A negative experience could have consequences for his behaviour throughout his life. You must detect in time the situations that generate fear to avoid them, make them positive and thus avoid unnecessary trauma.

For a dog not to be afraid, it is essential that during the imprinting stage it has had what is called good socialization. This consists of having contact with everything with which he will live the rest of his life: People, other dogs, cats, traffic, noise, different surfaces, scooters, bicycles and everything that will be part of his environment throughout his lifetime.

How to train a puppy so that it does not cry when left alone

It is normal to want to spend as many hours as possible with our puppy. It is so beautiful! But the truth is that eventually, we will have to leave him alone. Either to go to work or to attend a meeting that you cannot take him to.

Puppies that with their cries or barks break our hearts – unsettle the neighbours. To avoid this, we are going to draw up a plan so that your absence is as bearable and positive for him. And so we will not have one of the most difficult behaviour problems to solve: separation anxiety mismanagement.

Practical exercise

We will reserve a place in the house for the time that the dog is left alone. This place has to be safe for your puppy. By insurance, I mean that there is nothing that can harm you, or that they can damage, (do not leave your favourite shoes within reach!).

Make lots of trips home, gradually increasing the time you are away. In those moments, leave something that he enjoys, such as a new toy, food, interactive toys (toys that you can put food in, and so while he is entertaining he is thinking about how to get it out). 

Remember that the toys must be non-toxic, and preferably not of the stuffed type, so that he does not get into the habit of destroying them.

How to train a puppy to relieve himself inside and outside the home

At this point is where patience and perseverance are the most important. I hope you have very cute pyjamas because more than once you will have to go out with him in the street so that your precious puppy learns to do his needs there, by this I mean both poop and urine, both things outside the home.

The best strategy: encourage – avoid – control.

Physically your puppy can not stand it, it is not a matter of obedience or disobedience. So, you shouldn’t be mad at him for the fact that he flushes where he shouldn’t. You can provide a temporary place for him to fulfil his needs while he cannot do them on the street. This place must be of a different surface from the rest of the house.

How to train your puppy to walk together

The walk will represent a large part of life with your puppy, the initial experience must be positive. That is why I recommend that the first months you wear it with a harness, even if it uses a collar at home.

For this initial stage, I do not recommend an extendable leash, I know they look very cute, but they are very dangerous and also our dog learns to go without any guidance on our part. It is best to use a positioning leash so that you can have better control of your puppy and also give you the freedom to practice many exercises in a controlled way. 

Your puppy will want to discover the world, he will be curious about everything, and jerks will surely be inevitable. Remember that you will be in a socialization period and we do not want you to associate anything negative with other dogs, people, noises, surfaces, etc.

How to train a puppy not to bite

Dogs discover their world with their mouths and noses. Just as human babies touch everything, our four-legged baby will want to chew on everything. At this stage, our puppy is changing his teeth, which will cause discomfort. So you have to have toys that allow you to unload your mouth on them. They must be of good quality since some toys could be toxic or detach small parts that later end up in our pet’s stomach.

How to train a puppy where to sleep

Dogs choose to sleep and rest the place in the house where they feel most comfortable and this does not always coincide with the one we have thought for them. Many dog owners comment that they have spent a lot of money on a house or bed for the dog and then their furry friend chooses to sleep on cardboard between the garbage cans.

Identify what kinds of places your dog chooses to rest. Then, you can put a towel or bed there and little by little enter the command “to your place”. To teach it we will say “to your place” and we will reward the fact that our dog goes to his place.

Playing with your puppy

Surely when I talk to you about playing with your puppy, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘THE BALL’. Here you can read more about How to play ball with your dog. 

There are many games that you can play with your dog. Much more than you think. The most important thing is the game with your puppy that involves you. I mean that your puppy wants to play with you, not with the toy. It seems silly but it will make a difference. As we talked about above, this will strengthen your bond with him.

Things to keep in mind 

Whoever chooses to adopt or buy an animal must be clear that the basic needs of the living being will depend on the whole life of his human: his diet, his hygiene, his health, his education, his socialization … Everything.

Many people act on impulse and acquire an animal for the sake of having company and someone who welcomes them happily when they come home from work. Nor should we think that the needs of the animal will be satisfied simply by buying the most expensive products. They need attention and, very importantly, an education that requires time and patience.

Having a puppy will get easier, you just have to give it time. They will grow, they will become “good dogs” and they will fill your life with immense joy. Patience!

If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!

FAQ on When does having a puppy get easier?

References

Aspca.org

Creedonsdogcare.ie

Rspca.org.uk

Pets.webmd.com