Bringing a new puppy home is exciting for sure but I assure you that this will change your life! It is totally worth it -I promise; but you will need to do a little more planning than before. Here are some important things you need to consider before going all the way in!
Be Realistic
Above all, you need to be realistic and realize that raising a puppy takes a lot of work, time and patience. Just like human children, our canine babies need to learn what is acceptable and what is absolutely off limits in the environment. They need to be taught boundaries and be allowed to make mistakes along the way. Your expectations must be managed so that you have a fair and reasonable perspective so that you won’t unintentionally take out your frustration on them. The last thing you want is to damage your relationship and cause your pup to be afraid of you. All it takes is one bad episode of screaming and yelling because puppy got ahold of your fancy shoes or dug up the herb garden. It’s when people don’t know what to expect from their puppy that the real problem starts.
Losing Sleep
Just like with human infants, canine babies will wake up during the night. Keep in mind, your puppy has been with it’s siblings and mother it’s entire life and now, they are with you! Everything is brand new- location, lighting, smell, children, other pets, etc. Please understand that this is a big change and can really be stressful and upsetting. Having to go potty, changing positions to get comfy, or just getting cold and needing to snuggle could be reasons for waking. During the first 4-6 weeks, you should plan on setting your alarm at 2:30 and 4:30 to take puppy out to the restroom. They will likely urinate so be ready to give a little reward, a high-pitched good boy/girl and a soft petting. This will build the bond of trust and help reinforce potty training during the day! Be prepared for a few weeks of disruption so keep that in mind when getting your puppy as far as timing goes.
Potty Training
Three words. Persistence, Consistency, and Dedication.
For each month of age, your Golden Retriever puppy can hold it for 1 hour. So, a two-month-old (8-weeks-old) can hold urine for about two hours. (The only exception to this rule would be if they are sick.) Set your baby up for success by setting a timer to take your pup outside every two hours during the day. Have a small treat on you so you can immediately reward them as soon as they are finished squatting. (I like to use the Fromm’s Crunchy O’s Pot Roast Flavor). GIve them about three more minutes to go number two and if they do, give them a reward for that too. If they look like they are going to try to eat their poop, they have been exposed to the phrase, “leave it.” They will know not to go to it. Be prepared to give two treats for No. 1 and No. 2. NOTE: If you fail to get up (at 2:30 and 4:30 am which I completely agree totally sucks) to take the baby out during the night hours, your puppy will get confused and go in the house / crate / potty pad which will cause potty training to go on MUCH LONGER.
Chewing
Objects left out are fair game for your new fur-baby. Chewing on things helps with teething and anxiety. This is a normal and natural behavior for a puppy and should be encouraged! Having said that, I strongly advise against leaving your property out in the open! Be sure to prepare your home before you pick up the baby from me. Cords, frayed blankets, remote controls, socks and shoes are all on the menu to a pup so get them put away and out of reach. What should be on the menu are toys that are durable and intended for a dog. Be careful with giving your dog things that you think are junk and don’t care if it gets chewed up. There may be paints, chemicals, and/or small choking hazards that can kill your baby.
Biting Playfully
Using their mouth and teeth is normal, natural and playful behavior in the puppy world. However, I personally draw the line when playing with people. My puppies have been discouraged from biting human hands. I have used the phrase “no nibbles” and gently close their mouth until they are licking. You want your puppy to give you kisses, not use your fingers as teething rings. Keep calm. If they do hurt you, let them know by yelping out and stop playing altogether. Teach them that choices have consequences and biting you will end the game of fun. Remember, a well-mannered puppy has to be taught what is ok and what is not. You are not being mean by setting this boundary. They may let you know they are upset by crying and barking for you to come back but I strongly encourage that you give them a time out for at least 5 minutes.
Puppies Need Security and Sleep
Your 8-week-old puppy still needs to sleep 18-20 hours a day to have the energy to keep their bodies and their brains growing optimally. This translates to you or your human children to play with them on the puppy’s schedule. NEVER wake up a puppy to play with them. Sleep deprivation is just as real for puppies as it is for humans. If they are tired from over stimulation, they can become irritable and aggressive (which leads to more biting and chewing / potential negative events). Before bringing your puppy home, arrange a safe space for them. I recommend having a covered crate within a gated area with toys and access to fresh water. It would be best if you to be able to keep an eye on this area at all times if possible. If using any blankets or sheets, be aware of ingestion of these items so keep an eye on them. I will try to provide a blanket or towel with the smell of the mama and siblings for you to keep with them during the transition. I don’t recommend going home and bathing your puppy right away and washing the “dog smell” off the the blanket.
Diarrhea
There is a good chance your puppy will get diarrhea. Each puppy is guaranteed to be parasite free when leaving my care as they see the Vet and a fecal test is done prior to your arrival. Usually, diarrhea is caused from the stress of transitioning from their mama and siblings to their furever home. If they are playing, eating and drinking and have a cold wet nose then they will be fine. It should resolve itself in a few days. If the puppy becomes lethargic and does not eat / drink and doesn’t play, please call me as soon as possible as you may need to get them into your vet immediately.