I Just Adopted A New Puppy, And Here Are 10 Essential Tips I've Learned First-Hand

I've had my puppy for 6 weeks, and these are the best tips and tricks that have helped me along the way.

After my last fur baby crossed the rainbow bridge in 2019, this year I finally decided I was ready for a new pup! Here are some tips and things I've learned.

1. It’s never too early to start training!

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Of course potty training starts once we bring our fur babies home, but starting my pup on behavioral training at eight weeks as well has made her quite the skilled girl! At 14 weeks she now knows an impressive amount of commands including, “Do a spinny!” and the very important, “Leave it!”

2. Select a training method that specifically works for you AND your dog.

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While I usually lean toward reading articles, I found YouTube to be an amazing help in training my pup. Being able to watch a dog trainer's body language and hear their tone helps when you take over as your puppy's trainer. Make a conscious effort to decide what type of pet owner you want to be. Some might thrive as their pet’s partner vs. the pack leader. Once I learned that my puppy was very food-motivated, I chose a positive reinforcement + reward based training that I knew would work with my lifestyle and desired pet/parent relationship. I found dog trainer Nate Schoemer's channel to be amazingly helpful!

3. But (IMO) everyone should crate train.

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Crate training is potty training. Crate training is routine training. Crate training is security and comfort for your pup, and it is peace of mind for you! I highly recommend it and encourage you do your research on the do’s and dont's. Most importantly, make it their safe space  — not a place used for punishment.

4. Patience is important – and training regression is real!

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Remember that these are literal babies! Even through the first few months as they enter their “toddler” phase, keep in mind how you would treat a human toddler who makes mistakes, or who doesn't have perfect behavior, just like your puppy won’t. There have been weeks where it felt like she totally had potty training down, and the next she was having accidents again. Training regression is real! I struggled with only training on positive reinforcement and ignoring (or redirecting) bad behavior. But I had to remind myself that she is so new to the world, and is really doing quite amazing!

5. Be realistic on creating a schedule that works for your family.

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Every article I read encouraged you not to feed your puppy past 5:00 p.m. However, me having a puppy that woke up at 5:00 a.m. was NOT going to work for me! I simply moved feeding times back (twice actually) so now my pup eats at 9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m., so she can sleep on a schedule that is much closer to mine.

6. BULLY STICKS ARE THE HOLY GRAIL!!

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If I had to pick one thing to splurge on THIS IS IT! Costco has an amazing deal on Toro Bully Hide Chews (although they are about double the price online vs. in store), and you can also find them on Amazon. Puppy teething is no joke, and I feel for them because it clearly is an annoyance all the time. The one thing that keeps my girl happy is her "chew stick," so I make sure to ALWAYS have one on us.

7. Don’t underestimate a good thrift store when shopping for puppy items!

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Just like baby items, your puppy will grow out of things quicker than you can imagine. Things like collars, harnesses, beds, even crates and feeding bowls, will become too small way before you’re ready for them to! For me, it was a no-brainer to save on items that weren’t brand-new, and to wait for her growing to slow before spending $$ on more stylish finds. If you’re open to secondhand items, support your local thrift store or check out apps like OfferUp. (Bonus points: my local thrift shop where I found the most useful items supports the local humane society!).

8. Socializing your puppy is important from the get go — but do it safely!

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Here is the deal, puppies should not be outside on the ground until they are fully vaccinated (about 4–5 months old). However, they ARE safe to meet other dogs that ARE fully vaccinated in a private yard. This not being my first dog, I know how important it is to get them socialized early. Socialize them not only with other pets, but all types of people, places, noises, etc. The more they experience at a young age, the more likely they will be comfortable in the world into their adult years!

9. Lean on your support system.

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Puppies. Are. Challenging. Don’t give up! Reach out for help where you can, or try an app like Rover or Wag! to book a professional trusted resource. Even just an afternoon to get a pedicure or handle some grocery shopping while your puppy is in good hands can be a much needed space for the both of you.

10. And ENJOY YOUR NEW BABY!

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Getting a puppy is a major decision, so after carefully deciding that you are ready for this big step in your life, ENJOY IT! Embrace how fun training can be, and remember how small and cute they are when you step in their doggy doo-doo in the middle of the night.