The First Few Weeks Are the Hardest
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but those first few weeks can also be the most challenging. While you may have prepared everything needed for your new furry family member, it’s impossible to be fully ready for the significant life adjustment. Between housetraining struggles, establishing a routine, sleep deprivation from middle-of-the-night potty breaks, and the landshark phase of puppy biting and destructive chewing, new owners are often left wondering if dog ownership will ever get easier.
Housetraining is one of the biggest hurdles in the first weeks. No matter how closely you watch for signals, accidents are inevitable with a young puppy still learning bladder control. Patience and consistency are key for successful potty training. Take your puppy out frequently and praise them for going in the right spot. Crate training can help establish a routine and prevent indoor messes while you can’t directly supervise.
Lack of sleep goes hand-in-hand with housetraining a puppy. You’ll need to wake up every few hours at night those first couple weeks to let your puppy outside to relieve themselves. It’s exhausting but temporary. Establishing a predictable daily routine with designated mealtimes, walks, training and playtime will help your pup better regulate when they need to go.
The sharp teeth of a puppy lead to plenty of nipped hands and chewed belongings. Providing appropriate chew toys, avoiding overexcitement, and teaching bite inhibition are key to maneuvering the landshark phase. With patience, consistency and time your puppy will outgrow this behavior. In those frustrating early weeks, remember that this too shall pass.
While the first weeks with a new puppy can be overwhelmingly challenging, take it one day at a time. With a consistent routine, plenty of patience and by setting your puppy up for success, you’ll both make it through this difficult adjustment period. The hard work will pay off as you build a lifelong bond with your furry friend.
Sources:
https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/puppy/the-first-few-days-and-weeks-with-your-new-puppy
https://www.3lostdogs.com/what-to-do-with-a-new-puppy-a-guide-to-the-first-week/
It Gets Easier Once Your Dog is Housetrained
One of the biggest challenges of early puppy ownership is house training. During the first few months, you need to be vigilant about taking your puppy outside frequently to relieve themselves. This can mean waking up multiple times a night for potty breaks. It also means closely supervising your puppy indoors and confining them when you can’t watch them.
The hard work pays off once your puppy is reliably housetrained, which typically occurs between 4-6 months old according to WebMD. The most obvious sign your puppy is housetrained is when they learn to alert you when they need to go out instead of just going inside. You’ll also notice they can hold their bladder for longer stretches. For example, a 3-month old puppy can hold their bladder for 3-4 hours but a 6-month old puppy can hold it for 6-8 hours according to the AKC.
Once your dog is fully housetrained, it means they can be left alone without worrying about accidents. You can leave for work, run errands, or go out at night without rushing home. Housetraining takes dedication but it makes dog ownership much easier once that milestone is achieved.
The Adolescent Phase Brings New Challenges
The adolescent phase for dogs typically starts around 6-9 months old and can last up until the dog is around 2 years old. During this time, your dog will go through many changes as they transition from puppy to adult. One of the biggest challenges owners face during this phase is increased independence and willful behavior as the dog tests boundaries.
Adolescent dogs are beginning to explore their independence more and may not listen as readily to commands as they did before. They may try to test the rules and boundaries you have set, such as getting on furniture when they weren’t allowed before. Sometimes this is an innocent test to see what they can get away with now versus as a puppy. Other times, it can come across as willful disobedience.
To help get through this phase without too much frustration, be patient and consistent. Stick to your rules and training, while also giving your dog more freedom in a controlled way. For example, allow them access to more areas of the house for short periods while you supervise. Reinforce training using treats and praise to motivate them to listen. Adolescence is temporary, and this too shall pass as your dog matures!
An Established Routine Makes Things Easier
Having a set routine for feeding, walking, playtime and other activities makes your dog’s days more predictable and helps meet their needs. As the AKC notes, “A routine can reinforce previously taught skills in adult dogs and help them learn new behaviors.”
Establishing a regular schedule for mealtimes, potty breaks, exercise, training and play makes caring for your dog easier. The predictability helps them know what to expect and when. As Bond Vet explains, “Routines ensure a dog eats on a schedule that supports their metabolism and healthy digestion. A daily schedule also helps with potty training a new puppy or rescue dog.”
According to Preventive Vet, “A daily routine is important not only for puppies but also to prevent issues such as separation anxiety.” Dogs feel secure when they can anticipate daily events. An established routine provides structure and helps them learn the patterns of their environment.
Training Pays Off Over Time
One of the biggest benefits of consistent dog training is that it reinforces important skills over time. According to the Winnipeg Humane Society, “Working on training your dog helps to reduce unwanted or inappropriate behaviors through redirection into desirable behaviors.”
The more you work on training, the more the lessons sink in. So even basic obedience training, done consistently over time, will help make your dog well-behaved and manageable.
As Wag Walking states, “Regular mental stimulation is crucial for your dog’s development and happiness.” Obedience training provides this mental stimulation, keeping your dog engaged and less prone to boredom or destructive behaviors.
With a well-trained dog, you can take them more places and do more activities together. The human-canine bond is strengthened through this shared experience and communication. So don’t get discouraged if your pup doesn’t master a new skill right away. With regular, positive reinforcement training, you’ll both reap the rewards.
Senior Dogs Require Adjustments
As dogs reach their senior years, typically around 7-10 years old depending on the breed, they require some adjustments to their care. Senior dogs undergo changes physically and cognitively that owners need to be prepared for.
Health issues become more common in senior dogs. Conditions like arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, cognitive dysfunction and blindness are unfortunately more prevalent in old age. Regular vet checkups every 6 months and screening tests can help catch problems early when they are most treatable. Medications, dietary changes, physical therapy and accommodations at home may be necessary to manage age-related conditions and keep senior dogs comfortable. According to www.rspca.org.uk, owners should provide warm, soft places for an arthritic dog to rest and give them something to grip like rugs on slippery floors.
Cognitive changes similar to dementia in humans can occur in elderly dogs. Disorientation, changes in social interaction, loss of housetraining, and altered sleep patterns are possible signs. Keeping routines consistent, using cueing like notes or clocks, and providing mental stimulation through play, training and puzzles can help manage cognitive decline in aging dogs.
Mobility limitations become common as well. Getting up and down stairs and jumping onto furniture may become difficult. Providing ramps, keeping food/water on ground level, assisting with mobility through harnesses, and modifying outings to match their slower pace and lower endurance can help ensure senior dogs stay active and engaged. Their exercise needs change, with shorter but more frequent walks often being better.
The Human-Dog Bond Deepens
As years go by, owners develop an increased understanding of their dog’s personality, quirks, likes, and dislikes. Spending time together through daily routines, play, training, exercise, and affection deepens the bond between owner and dog.
Activities done together such as walks, playing fetch, agility training, or learning new tricks all serve to strengthen the human-dog relationship. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute notes that the positive interactions involved in these shared activities release oxytocin in both owner and dog, increasing feelings of trust and affection.
One study published in Scientific Reports found dog owners had greater social sensitivity towards not just their pets but also human strangers compared to non-dog owners. This suggests deepening human-dog bonds may increase an owner’s general social intelligence over time.
Helpful Tips and Resources
Finding the right vet, trainer, and sitter for your dog is key. Make sure to do your research and ask other dog owners for recommendations. Meet with several vets to ensure you find one that you connect with and that your dog is comfortable with, as you’ll be seeing them regularly for checkups and any health issues that arise. Interview multiple trainers before selecting one that uses positive reinforcement methods tailored to your dog’s personality and your goals. Ask trusted friends or family members if they can dog sit, or try services like Rover to find experienced sitters who can watch your dog when you travel.
Make time in your schedule every day to care for your dog’s needs. Dogs require physical activity and mental stimulation. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise like walks, playtime in the yard, or fetch. Additionally, incorporate training sessions, puzzle toys, and opportunities to socialize into their routine to keep their mind engaged. If you work long hours, consider hiring a dog walker or sending your dog to doggie daycare a few days a week. Adjust your social life and hobbies to ensure your dog gets the attention they need. While it takes effort, establishing a consistent routine with your dog from the start will pay off enormously as you form a lasting bond.
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Remember the Rewards
One of the best parts of dog ownership that makes the commitment worthwhile is the unconditional love and companionship dogs provide. As pack animals, dogs have an instinctual need to bond with their family and will be unwaveringly loyal. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, dog ownership was shown to decrease feelings of loneliness and depression in their human companions.1
Along with emotional rewards, having a dog has been proven to provide numerous health benefits as well. Multiple studies have linked dog ownership with lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, increased physical activity, and overall improved cardiovascular health.2 Dogs motivate people to get outside and exercise by needing regular walks and playtime. Their presence can also lower anxiety and provide calming effects that make stress relief easier.
Lastly, owning a dog means having a built-in buddy for adventures and activities. Hiking, camping, playing fetch at the park, road trips, swimming and more are instantly made more fun with canine companionship. Getting to witness a dog’s excitement and joy for life’s simple pleasures can be a rewarding experience as well.
Dog Ownership is a Commitment
Owning a dog is a long-term commitment that requires dedication and perseverance. There will certainly be challenges and difficult periods, but focusing on the joys of the relationship can provide the motivation to work through the tough times. As this blog states, “The greatest gift of training is that it increases the dog’s ability to have liberty.” Investing the time to properly train a dog strengthens the human-canine bond.
Prepare for ups and downs throughout your dog’s life, including destructive puppy behaviors and potential health issues in their senior years. While the first weeks together are often the hardest, the commitment gets easier as a routine is established and the dog’s training progresses. Be patient during adolescence when new problematic behaviors may arise. Just remember, this too shall pass.
It’s important to seek help from trainers, vets, or other resources when challenges arise. You don’t have to do it all alone. Focus on each success, big or small. Celebrate milestones like housebreaking, learning commands, or simply sharing a snuggle. Soon the trials fade and the joys shine bright. As one quote reminds us, “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.”