A good start with the puppy 1. The first days
When you bring your puppy home, it is important to give it time to get to know its new home. Sniff and look through every room, chairs, tables and whatever else there is. Avoid many visitors for the first week. Of course, the puppy is welcome to see visitors, but it is not good to rush in too much. So a little at a time is fine.
Explore the local area, go for short walks, and depending on how brave your puppy is, you can expand to new areas. But watch your puppy, and if he doesn't want to go any further, it could be a sign that he has had enough sensory stimulation. So even if you want to expose your puppy to the whole world, it's best to do it in small doses so that he can also hijack it.
A good start with the puppy 2. Basic training
Make sure the puppy meets different things, be it bicycles, roller skaters, cars, buses, other dogs, different people, strollers…. Yes, the list is long. But the more we can introduce our dogs to in their first year of life, the better equipped they are to deal with it in the future. So don't stress about what has to happen in the first 16 weeks, think more in terms of the essentials coming first, and there MUST be days off too.
For every big experience, there must be a breathing space for the puppy. All the new impressions must be digested and settled, otherwise it will just be one new experience after another, which can have a negative effect instead.
So make a list of the things that are necessary, prioritize and schedule days off, and then get started.
A good start with the puppy 3. Socialization
Our dogs are pack animals, so for them to thrive it is important to have good social relationships. Don't think so much about whether they are fully vaccinated, but more about giving them good social experiences early on. If the mother is vaccinated as she should, and the puppy has had it first, they are well prepared to face the world. Be picky about who your puppy plays with and greets.
Listen to your gut feeling, if you are uncomfortable in the meeting then don't. It is important that these are good meetings, with dogs that understand the language and take into account that it is a puppy. Unfortunately, violent incidents can set in deeply and be really difficult to work out of later, so choose carefully. Preferably both puppies and adult dogs. It can be for play, but also just a walk together
A good start with the puppy 4. Cleanliness
You can quickly get your puppy clean by being on the lookout and lovingly consistent. When the puppy has slept, eaten or played, there is a high probability that it will need to get rid of something, so go outside immediately, and stay outside until it has peed and/or pooped. You don't have to be ashamed of it, but it is good to acknowledge that. Should an accident happen indoors, there is nothing else to do but lift the puppy up if it is in the middle of it, carry it outdoors and stay outside until it is delivered - this applies primarily to peeing times.
Don't scold, it won't pay off. Instead, use the accident to be faster next time. When we scold, we risk the dog linking it together in such a way that it is not allowed to do its job when we are around... And then we really have a problem.
A good start with the puppy 5. Rest
Remember that the puppy needs rest. Just growing takes energy, and when we add everything else that it experiences and has to deal with, there is quite a lot to digest. So remember to take breaks during the day, and especially during the week.
Feel free to do some relaxation after some searching exercises or other mentally stimulating activities, then there is a good natural fatigue and success with planned rest. If it is a home where a lot happens, you should also be aware that there is an opportunity for the puppy to withdraw and relax undisturbed.
A good start with the puppy 6. Basket, bed or pillow
It is important that the puppy has a good place from the very beginning, in the form of a basket, dog bed or pillow, possibly with krøyer balls in it. This is to show that there is a place that is the dog's, a place where it can sleep, rest and be a little in peace. It can be placed in the bedroom, preferably close to the bed, so that during the first nights you can put your hand down and create security if the puppy whines. You have to think about it coming from a whole litter of warm siblings, and now suddenly having to be on its own.
This basket can then be moved into the living room when you are sitting there, or you can choose to buy a few, so that the dog has choices in where it wants to be. No doubt they want to be with us, but sometimes it might be nice to be able to retreat.
A good start with the puppy 7. Stimulation (over/understimulation)
It is important that we ensure that we stimulate our dogs, in general. And when it is a puppy, a large part of the stimulation will consist of experiencing the world and all its facets. But we cannot avoid also putting some stimulation into action. And here it is really good with search exercises of various kinds. The sense of smell is what our dogs use the most, and where we can really stimulate without stressing them. Then there are many different types of problem solving in the form of board games, etc., which all have in common that food is hidden, and the dog has to work to get it free. This can be done daily, and preferably up until the puppy learns to be alone at home.
Be aware that overstimulation can be just as bad as understimulation, so here too it's about finding the right balance for all parties.
A good start with your puppy 8. Good habits – basic training tips
A really good idea is to teach the dog to sit and wait. These skills can be used in many different directions, and are very beneficial in everyday life where the puppy is not allowed to run out the door, has to wait before crossing the road, or in general learns a little self-control. Next, walking nicely, it can get really annoying if the dog pulls... No matter how big it ends up being, it's just not fun... So start from the beginning with that.
Quite simply, you can stand still when the leash is tightened, and only walk when it is slack again. Without saying anything, calling or anything else, but simply waiting until the leash is slack, and then walk. In this way, it is the body language that teaches the dog how to get to what it wants, and it lasts longer than when we say a lot.
Here you can buy the first basic course that trains you and your dog in the most basic skills.
A good start with the puppy 9. Home alone
It must be learned from the very beginning, and here is a simple piece of advice – or rather the only solution. Start in small intervals, but with a mentally tired dog, so that it becomes a success. Because that is the success that must be built on. That's it. Then the dog howls or destroys, then it is not something that will go away on its own. Good and healthy habits must be established for the dog, so that it is okay and comfortable being alone. For a short time to start with, and then the time can be slowly increased, but just focus on it must be a success all the time. Otherwise, you have to go back to the time when it was last a success, and start from there again.
Make sure the dog has been exercised, has had some mental stimulation in the form of searching exercises, or problem solving that is not wild. Then there is a much greater chance that he will calm down when you walk him.
A good start with the puppy 10. The path to good cooperation
It must be built up, and will not come by itself. Do fun things with your dog, make sure it uses its head to solve tasks, or in training situations, so that you get a star in the dog's universe. Avoid scolding and a lot of no... It is much more worthwhile to set up good situations so that the dog has the opportunity to achieve success, get calm and in that way become a happy and willing dog. If you have to say no, start with a quiet ah ah, and then divert attention so that what was exciting does not continue to be so.
Spend quality time together, experience the world, explore together and strengthen your collaboration the other way around – for joy and benefit for many years to come.
10 tips for a good start with your puppy
A good start with the puppy 1. The first days
When you bring your puppy home, it is important to give it time to get to know its new home. Sniff and look through every room, chairs, tables and whatever else there is. Avoid many visitors for the first week. Of course, the puppy is welcome to see visitors, but it is not good to rush in too much. So a little at a time is fine.
Explore the local area, go for short walks, and depending on how brave your puppy is, you can expand to new areas. But watch your puppy, and if he doesn't want to go any further, it could be a sign that he has had enough sensory stimulation. So even if you want to expose your puppy to the whole world, it's best to do it in small doses so that he can also hijack it.
A good start with the puppy 2. Basic training
Make sure the puppy meets different things, be it bicycles, roller skaters, cars, buses, other dogs, different people, strollers…. Yes, the list is long. But the more we can introduce our dogs to in their first year of life, the better equipped they are to deal with it in the future. So don't stress about what has to happen in the first 16 weeks, think more in terms of the essentials coming first, and there MUST be days off too.
For every big experience, there must be a breathing space for the puppy. All the new impressions must be digested and settled, otherwise it will just be one new experience after another, which can have a negative effect instead.
So make a list of the things that are necessary, prioritize and schedule days off, and then get started.
A good start with the puppy 3. Socialization
Our dogs are pack animals, so for them to thrive it is important to have good social relationships. Don't think so much about whether they are fully vaccinated, but more about giving them good social experiences early on. If the mother is vaccinated as she should, and the puppy has had it first, they are well prepared to face the world. Be picky about who your puppy plays with and greets.
Listen to your gut feeling, if you are uncomfortable in the meeting then don't. It is important that these are good meetings, with dogs that understand the language and take into account that it is a puppy. Unfortunately, violent incidents can set in deeply and be really difficult to work out of later, so choose carefully. Preferably both puppies and adult dogs. It can be for play, but also just a walk together
A good start with the puppy 4. Cleanliness
You can quickly get your puppy clean by being on the lookout and lovingly consistent. When the puppy has slept, eaten or played, there is a high probability that it will need to get rid of something, so go outside immediately, and stay outside until it has peed and/or pooped. You don't have to be ashamed of it, but it is good to acknowledge that. Should an accident happen indoors, there is nothing else to do but lift the puppy up if it is in the middle of it, carry it outdoors and stay outside until it is delivered - this applies primarily to peeing times.
Don't scold, it won't pay off. Instead, use the accident to be faster next time. When we scold, we risk the dog linking it together in such a way that it is not allowed to do its job when we are around... And then we really have a problem.
A good start with the puppy 5. Rest
Remember that the puppy needs rest. Just growing takes energy, and when we add everything else that it experiences and has to deal with, there is quite a lot to digest. So remember to take breaks during the day, and especially during the week.
Feel free to do some relaxation after some searching exercises or other mentally stimulating activities, then there is a good natural fatigue and success with planned rest. If it is a home where a lot happens, you should also be aware that there is an opportunity for the puppy to withdraw and relax undisturbed.
A good start with the puppy 6. Basket, bed or pillow
It is important that the puppy has a good place from the very beginning, in the form of a basket, dog bed or pillow, possibly with krøyer balls in it. This is to show that there is a place that is the dog's, a place where it can sleep, rest and be a little in peace. It can be placed in the bedroom, preferably close to the bed, so that during the first nights you can put your hand down and create security if the puppy whines. You have to think about it coming from a whole litter of warm siblings, and now suddenly having to be on its own.
This basket can then be moved into the living room when you are sitting there, or you can choose to buy a few, so that the dog has choices in where it wants to be. No doubt they want to be with us, but sometimes it might be nice to be able to retreat.
A good start with the puppy 7. Stimulation (over/understimulation)
It is important that we ensure that we stimulate our dogs, in general. And when it is a puppy, a large part of the stimulation will consist of experiencing the world and all its facets. But we cannot avoid also putting some stimulation into action. And here it is really good with search exercises of various kinds. The sense of smell is what our dogs use the most, and where we can really stimulate without stressing them. Then there are many different types of problem solving in the form of board games, etc., which all have in common that food is hidden, and the dog has to work to get it free. This can be done daily, and preferably up until the puppy learns to be alone at home.
Be aware that overstimulation can be just as bad as understimulation, so here too it's about finding the right balance for all parties.
A good start with your puppy 8. Good habits – basic training tips
A really good idea is to teach the dog to sit and wait. These skills can be used in many different directions, and are very beneficial in everyday life where the puppy is not allowed to run out the door, has to wait before crossing the road, or in general learns a little self-control. Next, walking nicely, it can get really annoying if the dog pulls... No matter how big it ends up being, it's just not fun... So start from the beginning with that.
Quite simply, you can stand still when the leash is tightened, and only walk when it is slack again. Without saying anything, calling or anything else, but simply waiting until the leash is slack, and then walk. In this way, it is the body language that teaches the dog how to get to what it wants, and it lasts longer than when we say a lot.
Here you can buy the first basic course that trains you and your dog in the most basic skills.
A good start with the puppy 9. Home alone
It must be learned from the very beginning, and here is a simple piece of advice – or rather the only solution. Start in small intervals, but with a mentally tired dog, so that it becomes a success. Because that is the success that must be built on. That's it. Then the dog howls or destroys, then it is not something that will go away on its own. Good and healthy habits must be established for the dog, so that it is okay and comfortable being alone. For a short time to start with, and then the time can be slowly increased, but just focus on it must be a success all the time. Otherwise, you have to go back to the time when it was last a success, and start from there again.
Make sure the dog has been exercised, has had some mental stimulation in the form of searching exercises, or problem solving that is not wild. Then there is a much greater chance that he will calm down when you walk him.
A good start with the puppy 10. The path to good cooperation
It must be built up, and will not come by itself. Do fun things with your dog, make sure it uses its head to solve tasks, or in training situations, so that you get a star in the dog's universe. Avoid scolding and a lot of no... It is much more worthwhile to set up good situations so that the dog has the opportunity to achieve success, get calm and in that way become a happy and willing dog. If you have to say no, start with a quiet ah ah, and then divert attention so that what was exciting does not continue to be so.
Spend quality time together, experience the world, explore together and strengthen your collaboration the other way around – for joy and benefit for many years to come.