As with any new relationship, raising a dog can come with some surprises. From cleaning up messes to getting up in the middle of the night to let your puppy out, there's no shortage of challenges.
But a little bit of work can turn your rambunctious puppy into a well-mannered companion. Here are some expert tips on how to do it:
Diet
Dogs require an adequate amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates and minerals and vitamins to thrive. These are provided by a well-formulated, balanced diet.
Proteins are made up of amino acids - they are the building blocks that make up everything your dog has – from its hair, skin and nails to its muscles and vital organs. They also are critical for hormone production and antibody formation, as well as general maintenance of the body. Because dogs cannot synthesize their own proteins, they must rely on a constant supply of dietary protein.
Carbohydrates are a source of energy and contain nutrients, such as fibre, phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help promote optimum health. Avoid high-glycemic carbohydrates, which are rapidly absorbed and increase blood sugar levels.
Training
Training is an essential part of raising your dog and building a healthy relationship. Training teaches your dog basic skills and provides positive interactions with people (as well as other animals). It is also helpful in socializing your young pet, ensuring that they will be comfortable around strangers and new situations.
All members of the family should be consistent in their approach to training. This is particularly important around verbal cues, such as "wait", so that your dog does not become confused. It is also important to reinforce good behavior with consistency, not just occasionally. This can be achieved by varying the frequency of treats or praise, and using a happy tone when calling your dog.
If you have more than one dog, it is important to train them to meet in a neutral area and sniff each other (while watching carefully for aggressive behaviour or fighting). This will help to prevent them from running away and can be a very effective tool when trying to stop unwanted behaviors such as nipping, jumping, barking and begging.
Health
Puppies need to be taught potty training, obedience and basic behaviour. They also need to be fed, bathed and socialized so that they grow up into well-mannered adult dogs. It's a huge responsibility but it's rewarding as you develop an unbreakable bond with your dog.
As puppies grow, they become more like human toddlers and their energy can be quite frenetic. This is why they need to be walked or exercised. They can be destructive if they don't have an outlet for their energy. They may gnaw on their toys or your hand (it's their way of exploring the world).
They need to be acclimatized early to household noises, activity and people so that they don't react negatively when they are adults. This is very important as it will shape how your dog behaves as an adult. It will also help them deal with anxiety and stress. Stroking a dog releases oxytocin, which reduces blood pressure and helps to calm an animal.
Behaviour
Having a well-behaved dog starts with choosing a type and size of puppy that suits your home, lifestyle and family. It also requires training with positive reinforcement to create happy associations with the desired behaviour. This includes house training and teaching your dog to come back when called, stay in a crate or go outside for hourly toilet breaks.
It is important to avoid using any negative methods of training as they can create a negative association with you and your dog. Punishment techniques like choke chains, shock collars and pronged pinch collars are not supported by scientific research and can actually cause physical injury, fear, aggression and inhibit learning.
It is also important to ensure that you are not inadvertently rewarding unwanted behaviours such as barking or grabbing at hands during play. Be consistent with your verbal cues and reward good behaviour with food treats, petting and a favourite toy. Also remember that play is important for dogs – it’s how they explore their world and learn to be safe around other animals, people and things they encounter.
