The Puppy Blues

If your new puppy experience isn't all that you dreamed it would be, you're not alone. People often have high expectations about bringing a new furry family member home - usually involving lots of fun, play, and cuddles - but that isn't always the reality. In this blog, we will talk about The Puppy Blues and how to beat them!

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The Puppy Blues

Puppies can be fussy, mischievous, and require a lot more time and attention than we sometimes realize. Sometimes, you might even worry that the decision was a mistake. This can be a very stressful and isolating experience at times - but there are things you can do to make it easier!

Appropriately Manage Your Expectations

There are some things that we can generally expect among puppies of a certain age. For example, we know that between 8 to 12 weeks of age, puppies are most impressionable and it's important to aim for positive experiences and controlled exposure to people, animals, places, and sounds to prevent dogs from being fearful from these things later on. They will need frequent potty breaks, even throughout the night.

From 12 to 14 weeks, puppies become more curious and independent, and their personalities may start to emerge. Their adult teeth will also start to emerge around this time, which may result in puppies being more mouthy and chewing on things (this is also a great time to start working on basic training). Puppies can be expected to hold their bladder for 1 hour per how many months old they are (example: a 3-month old puppy can be expected to hold if for about 3 hours before needing a potty break).

6 to 12 months, also known as the "teenage years" is often the most challenging for owners. Puppies will start to test boundaries, challenge you or other pets in the household, and behavioral issues may start to emerge. Puppies also reach sexual maturity around this age, and it's recommended that pets be spayed and neutered to lower the risk of behaviors such as mounting, marking, and aggression.

Between 12 and 18 months, most dogs are considered adults and should start to behave more consistently, although energy levels may not taper off for a few more years. Training and regular exercise will be important to continue to work on good behaviors and keep them out of trouble.

Don't Set Your Puppy's Expectations Too High

One of the hardest things about owning a puppy is feeling like you need to give them all of your attention to keep them busy and out of trouble. While your puppy would love to spend all day getting your love and affection, it's extremely important that puppies learn how to spend time by themselves - and the earlier, the better! If you are always playing with or loving on your puppy, they will come to expect this in the future and may even become anxious due to the lack of attention. Allow your puppy to spend time around the family just hanging out, without receiving special attention. Encourage them to play by themselves by giving them their favorite toy or a frozen Kong, and let them spend quiet time in their crate even when everyone is home.

Make Crate Training a Priority

Feeling like you have to keep an eye on your puppy 24/7 can quickly become very exhausting and overwhelming. Puppies explore with their mouth, nose, and eyes - because they can't pick things up with their paws, they use their mouth to get a sense of different objects. Because we don't want puppies getting into mischief when we need to leave the home or focus on a project, it's important that puppies feel at home in a safe, secure space. For many dogs, this place is their crate! When done correctly, dogs enjoy spending time in their crate and don't view it as isolating or a punishment.

A Tired Puppy is a Quiet Puppy

One of the most effective ways to keep puppies out of trouble is to ensure that they stay sleepy! The daily exercise needs vary amongst breeds (naturally, larger breeds tend to require more exercise than smaller breeds) but dogs enjoying physical activity such as going on walks or runs, active play such as playing fetch, tug of war, or activities such as swimming or agility is often universal. It's recommended that you try different toys and activities to see what you and your pet enjoy doing best - it helps if you are both having fun! Additionally, mental stimulation can wear some pets out just as much as physical exercise. Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, treat dispensing toys, and frozen Kongs are all great ways to keep pets busy and entertained.

Avoid Punishment and Focus on Positive Reinforcement

There may be times where your puppy is really testing your limits. They might keep having accidents in the house, destroy something they shouldn't have, or won't stop whining or barking. The natural response to this behavior is irritability, frustration, or even anger - but it is crucial that you try to keep your cool. Yelling, pointing at the item or mess, or angrily putting the puppy in their crate will only confuse or frighten your puppy. They will not make the association between what they did and your reaction, and it can be damaging to your and your puppy's relationship. Instead, calmly put the puppy in a secure place and clean up the mess. When your puppy is doing the right thing, such as going potty outside, chewing on their toys, or playing calmly by themselves, be sure to reinforce this behavior with praise, treats, or a little bit of affection.

Take a Break

When you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, it's important to take a breather, even if it's just stepping outside or putting the puppy away in another room while you have some time to yourself. When it feels like too much, put the puppy in their crate or a puppy-proof room where they can't get into too much trouble and allow yourself some time to calm down and decompress. It's ok to put the puppy in their crate and step out for a coffee or to run an errand - it's important for you to know that it's okay to step away, even if they aren't fully crate trained yet. In the grand scheme of things, your puppy won't remember those few hours they whined in their crate.

Ask For Help When You Need It

If you are concerned that your pup's behavior goes beyond normal puppy naughtiness, speak to your veterinarian or a trainer to get some guidance on how to proceed. Every dog is different and they all have unique personalities, and some breeds are notoriously more stubborn than others - but if your dog is exhibiting behaviors like aggression, resource guarding, destructiveness, or severe separation anxiety, it's worthwhile to get a professional opinion.

If your puppy is just acting like a puppy but it's feeling like a little too much, reach out to your family and friends for some extra support. Having someone else around to watch your puppy on occasion can provide a much needed break, even if they are just keeping you company and taking some of your puppy's attention off you for a few hours. Because a puppy can feel very isolation, be sure to make time to prioritize your relationships.

Know That It Will Get Better

It might not help in the moments when you're really feeling the frustration, but it's important that you give it some time and know that eventually, your new dog will learn their role within the family and fit more seamlessly into your lifestyle. Whether it's a brand new puppy or an older dog you've just brought home, it will take them a while to learn you and your family, but the day will come when it doesn't feel so overwhelming and you can enjoy downtime with your dog.

If you are noticing concerning behaviors in your pet, at any stage of life, do not hesitate to reach out for help by contacting us at 972-347-6100.

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