You’ve researched the different dog breeds to find the best one for you and your family, you’ve taken the time to find out whether the breeder you chose is ethical, and now you’re finally bringing that precious new bundle of joy home. The hard part is over, right? Actually, there are several mistakes that many new puppy owners make that can really turn this joyful time into a frustrating and worrying experience. Avoid these new dog owner mistakes to be sure you and your puppy are off to a great start:

1. Potty training your puppy indoors and then expecting him to automatically go outdoors when he is older. Those nifty potty training pads look an awful lot like nice, plushy rugs to your puppy and he may opt to use your rugs as a toilet spot after you do away with the pads.
2. Giving in to his sad whimpers and tucking him in your bed for the first few nights and then expecting him to sleep on his own in a few days without crying. He’ll just cry louder and longer once he knows what he is missing.
3. Letting your guilty feelings overwhelm you so that you don’t crate train him. Crate training helps keep your puppy safe, since he can’t get into dangerous things when you aren’t watching him if he’s crated. Also, he actually feels more secure when he is crated while no one else is home.
4. Taking your puppy with you when you go out, especially if you are going to a park or pet store. Puppies should be finished with immunizations before they go on outings. Their immune systems are often not fully developed when they are young and they are more susceptible to some of the deadliest dog diseases.
5. Letting your puppy do things that are cute in puppies and not at all cute in full size dogs, such as jumping up on guests. It is easier to curb these behaviors right away than it is to break your adult dog of bad habits.

————————————————————————————————————————————
To get your new puppy off to a good start, why not take the free ABC’s of New Puppy Care mini course? To chat about your canine friend with other dog lovers, don’t forget to visit the Free Dog Tips forum.

As long as you do not alter this article in any way and keep the resource box intact, this article can be reprinted on your website or in your newsletter.

Share This

The spunky Yorkshire Terrier can be a devoted and affectionate family pet. However, this breed is nicknamed the “Yappy Yorkie” for good reason. The Yorkie thinks that it is a big, powerful dog that needs to protect its family from any hint of danger and will bark at just about anything.

The Yorkshire Terriers I have known are all very loving with family members, but they are so small that they can be accidentally injured by children who love them too vigorously. This breed is intelligent, but is hard to housebreak, especially if you expect your dog to go outside in bad weather and get his little feet wet.

Share This

Standard Poodles may look a bit silly when they are groomed for show, but these dogs are very intelligent and good hearted. If you want a dog that can compete in obedience trials, this breed is ideal. However, be prepared to put in a lot of grooming time! This breed is fairly large and usually weighs 45-65 pounds. Despite their large size, these poodles do not need a ton of exercise. However, they do enjoy running and playing.

If you decide to buy a Standard Poodle, you may want to consider the fact that many breeders and owners have noticed that white or cream dogs are more high strung than other colors. Also, there are several common health problems with this breed, including hip dysplasia.

Share This