Puppy dos and don't?

[Theresahairbrushinthefridge]

We are collecting our lab puppy in a few weeks. Trying to mend broken hearts. Our beloved dog died and we are now ready.

I have been reading the Pippa Matthieson book. Things have moved on since I last had a puppy. We got our last dog aged one. She was poorly socialised and could get anxious. She was however beautifully trained and a pleasure to be around.

I have been stalking the dog house for a while and there seem to be lots of people despairing of puppies. I fully understand how exhausting a puppy is. Its a massive commitment. We are both around full time so day care etc is not an issue for us.

So, my question is what advice would you give to someone starting out again. Books to read. Tips. Training. First weeks. Toddler phase. Things to buy/ not to buy.

Many thanks.

Pippa's book is excellent.

Other top tips I wish I'd known was:

• it can take a looong time to find a good puppy class. Don't rush to choose and don't be afraid to walk away if you don't like it. If it's not fun then it's not working for you (regardless of the trainer's credentials) so find one you and your dog enjoy.
• this too will pass: behaviours come and go when they are young, normally they don't last so don't despair the first time he (or she) barks at another dog, it doesn't mean he will do so forever. Be patient and help him through it.
• he doesn't need to learn everything within the first few weeks. Take your time with him.

Don't waste money on expensive beds. Puppies sleep very well on vet beds and they clean and dry very easily. Expensive beds are for adult dogs.

Get some crocs (or other shes very easy to slip on), a torch and a warm dressing gown for nighttime toilet breaks.

Keep a little pot of treats as close as possible to the door, so that you can grab it as you run the puppy out for a wee!

Oh, and take way more photos and videos than you think you should. They are little puppies for such a very short amount of time and you will want to look back fondly when all the chaos of puppyhood is long forgotten.

Patience and consistency. They are hard work. They go through awkward stages and these stages pass just like a childs.

I quickly learnt if you don’t want your dog to chew it, don’t leave it lying around.

Toys! We spent a fortune on toys because a bored dog is a destructive dog.

Start teaching them early about separation to avoid the stress of separation anxiety.

Noise! Get them used to fireworks and thunder noises early using YouTube sound tracks just in case they are a dog that might be more sensitive. I wish I had known this earlier as my dog is beyond help with anxiety when she hears either of these noises sadly.

Join a Facebook group called "Dog Training Advice and Support". Very helpful.
Have a wonderful time with your new puppy

Do not over walk it as a puppy as it can cause damage and be worse for them in later life.

The more time you spend standing in the garden over-enthusaistically cheering on a weeing puppy the faster they stop piddling on the carpet.

The first time you take them out for a walk they won't make it past the end of the drive and you'll think your puppy is defective.

Puppies first teeth are SHARP and with the best will in the world you are all going to get chewed on extensively until they get the hang of only chewing toys.

A puppy is not a dog. I knew all about looking after dogs (having owned older ones). I wasn't expecting a puppy to be quite this much harder. Gotta love his cute face though!

The first time you take them out for a walk they won't make it past the end of the drive and you'll think your puppy is defective.

Ha! Too true.