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Proper Puppy Petiquette

July 1, 2015

Have you recently decided to welcome a new canine pal into your home? Congratulations! Your furry little friend has a lot of learning to do in his first year, as he starts to explore and understand this big new world he’s in. In order to raise a friendly, polite dog, you’re going to want to put in some legwork now, while your furbaby is young. A local Leesburg, VA vet offers tips on teaching little Fido proper puppy ‘petiquette’ in this article.

Socialization

Socialization is very important. Dogs that have not been properly socialized are much more likely to develop behavioral issues, such as aggression. There is a definite window of time for socializing puppies: it is best done when Fido is between 3 and 12 weeks old. Make sure your puppy is current on shots and vaccinations, and then take time to expose him to new people, sights, and sounds. Also, let your canine buddy interact and play with safe, friendly dogs. Be sure not to overwhelm the little guy: you don’t want to scare him!

Training

Training is very much on the agenda for Fido’s first year. Housebreaking is of course crucial, and Fido should start ‘school’ immediately. Crate training is also recommended, and works well in conjunction with housebreaking. Be firm, patient, and consistent, and always use positive reinforcement for good behavior, rather than punishing mistakes. Make sure to reward little Fido with treats and praise when he goes potty outside! Your furbaby should also learn the five basic commands, which are  Sit Stay Come Heel , and  Lay Down . Work with him daily in short sessions, and make sure he has mastered one command before moving on to another. Once your furry buddy has these basics down, you can continue his training, and show him more commands or some cute tricks.

Manners

Nip any bad habits in the bud. For instance, if you don’t want your four-legged pal on the couch, address his behavior every time he gets on it. Begging and jumping on people are two more examples of bad doggy manners that are best corrected early. Also, if little Fido is going to grow into a fairly large dog, you may not want to encourage him to jump on your lap!

Do you have questions about puppy care? Does Fido need shots or spay/neuter surgery? Contact us, your Leesburg, VA veterinary clinic!