Puppy Advice

Training a dog from day one sets the stage for a great adult companion. The effort you invest determines what you'll get back. Your actions and acceptance shape your puppy's future behaviour and your bond. Every moment counts in crafting a well-behaved, loyal companion.

Socialisation

During the crucial developmental period, up to 16 weeks, prioritise socialising your puppy with other puppies and environments like a picnic at the park. Allow your puppy the chance to observe the world in motion. After 16 weeks, socialisation opportunities diminish, so seize the chance to expose your puppy to various experiences while it's still open. Consider activities like visiting Bunnings or attending a puppy school that offers safe socialisation sessions. Remember, laying this foundation early ensures a well-adjusted and confident adult dog.

Long Term Confinement Area (LTCA)

Set up the LTCA with toileting facilities at one end, water in the middle, and a bed at the other end.

Utilise the LTCA for moments when your puppy is exhibiting hyperactivity or misbehaviour, reinforcing the idea that your home is a place of calmness.

When home, allow your puppy to be alone in the LTCA or cry briefly to encourage self-regulation. Passing by occasionally reassures your puppy of your presence without constant attention. This practice will be beneficial for when you need to leave the house.

When your puppy is calm in the LTCA, calmly praise them with phrases like "Good boy/girl" or their name to reinforce positive behaviour.

When you're away from home, place your puppy in the designated LTCA. For assisting your puppy in learning self-regulation while you are out, place a piece of your worn clothing in the LTCA. Additionally, consider playing dog anxiety music from YouTube to help them settle.

Having a LTCA set up, ensures that any destruction is limited to the puppy's area, not your home. Once fully trained and trusted, the puppy can eventually live freely in the house. Achieving that level of trust might seem daunting, but with patience and consistency, it's possible.

Top Tip

Returning home

Upon returning home, refrain from interacting with your puppy until they have settled down. Encourage them to sit before giving them cuddles or affection. This practice should be followed with all visitors as well.

Personal experiences/insights

Daisy-Anne and Mickey (my two dogs) have always been in the LTCA. My OCD wouldn’t have coped! 🤣🤣 We had a security camera so we could check on them when away from the house. What we learnt was they would bark when we left, however, we ignored, left the house, and within 10 minutes they’d be calm and resting. Daisy-Anne and Mickey do not bark at all now when we leave the house.

Crate training was truly the best decision I made. See below for tips.

Crate training

During the initial nights when they are placed in the crate, leave them unless they become unsettled. If they cry (and most likely they will) simply sit nearby without speaking. Providing them with the reassurance of your presence.

It is hard letting them cry and whinge, but the payoff is extremely rewarding. Within a month or two, after consistent night-time toileting, they should settle in their crate. Once they can maintain bladder control throughout the night, toileting can occur in the morning, allowing for uninterrupted sleep.

A dog toy with a heartbeat can help with the separation anxiety at bedtime. If you don’t have one you could use a clock that ticks.

Puppy will try and trick you, for example, start barking hoping you will get them out. Ignore and usually within 5 minutes puppy should know you are not coming back. Sometimes you may need to sit outside the crate again to calm them throughout the training process.

They don’t like to toilet in their crate just like we don’t like toileting in our bed. It’s their safe haven.

Always have a water bowl in their crate.

Sample Bedtime Routine for Puppies

Toilet before bedtime
Get puppy up every 3 hours to toilet outside (even if it is raining!)
Place the puppy back into the crate. If needed, quietly and calmly stay nearby until the puppy resettles.

If puppy is very unsettled on a particular night, put the crate next to your bed to reassure them of your presence. Every night, move the crate further away

Toileting

Toileting on demand can be a life changer

Have your puppy toilet on different surfaces and in the rain. If puppy gets use to a soft pad, they’ll likely never toilet outside. If you get your dog to toilet on demand, it makes life so much easier. Especially when you go out.

20 minutes after eating take puppy outside to toilet, on lead if needed. Say, toilet and wait. Do not praise until the second they finish, then treat.

Dog Treats for toileting: It is important to get your timing right. Treat puppy the second it is finished and for toileting in the right place. Never treat your puppy when toileting in the LTCA as we want them to know outside is best. If they toilet in the house, just clean up and not acknowledge. Puppy will learn quickly, if I toilet outside on the grass I get loads of praise and sometimes a treat.

If you cannot watch puppy 💯 of the time, then puppy needs to be in the LTCA until you can trust them to toilet in the correct place.

Puppies don’t like weeing and pooing in the same area. (That’s why you need a big grass carpet square in your LTCA).

When you bring puppy home, in the early stages, take puppy out to toilet every hour. Treat the second they finish. This training should only take a week if you are onto it. Do not say anything until toileting is complete, otherwise they will stop and hold knowing they are getting a treat. This can then lead to an accident in the home.

Feeding

Nothing is routine, change up their food times to keep puppy guessing. This reassures them that they will always be fed.

Puppies need to learn, when you give food, that’s the time to eat.

It’s beneficial to feed your puppy two to four times a day, which aids in digestion. As they mature, gradually reduce feeding frequency to three, then two times daily. Ensure you're only providing the recommended daily intake for their weight, divided appropriately across their meals.

Best practise is to not leave food out all day. Puppies need to learn that you will always look after them and fed them. If they are fussy, take food away after 10-15 minutes and they can eat next time you give the food.

Always leave water out for your puppy

Routine idea for feeding: 1. [Puppy’s name] sit. 2. Put food down. 3. Say Wait 3. Say [Puppy’s name] and then your release word. (Ok, Yes or whatever you wish your release word to be.) When you give the release word, puppy knows they are allowed to do as you say.

As a puppy, scattering their food makes it a game and slows their feeding.

Top Tips/Advice to help you on your journey to raise a well-balanced puppy

Any acknowledgment you give your puppy is praising for what puppy is doing. Don’t give attention to bad behaviour. That’s why the LTCA is great so when they are disobedient, they can calm down in their area.

Don’t always treat when training, as random treats help embed the training.

Ignore whinging and cries. Once quiet after 5 seconds say good boy/girl.

Everyone in the house needs to be on the same page to not confuse puppy

At times, leaving a small lead on while training will aid in controlling your puppy.

The most effective learning and boundary-setting occur right from the start.

Wet an old washer, roll it up and freeze it. Great for chewing when teething.

Take note of all the positive actions your puppy demonstrates. When calm, say good boy/girl.

Ignore what you don’t want. Or say uh uh.

Only say instructions once, then wait.

Puppies, much like children, may initially resist certain things. However, by praising desired behaviour, they will eventually cooperate. For example: when they whine, providing them with attention or affection teaches the puppy that whining leads to receiving attention. If you do the opposite, puppy will learn that when they are settled and calm, they will reap the benefits of lots of praise and love. Reinforce the behaviour you wish to see.

Training Courses for you and your puppy

Based on your preferences and requirements, there are numerous other courses available for you to explore. However, the ones I've listed help in laying a good foundation and give you a good understanding of how you can have a well-trained and calm puppy for your home.

Puppy Class

Dog Manner's Class

Obedience Class

The provided information is advice. If you have any uncertainties or concerns regarding your puppy, it's advisable to consult with your veterinarian.