Having A Puppy

Millions of people  are having dogs. Most are keeping them in the house, but others not. This is for those having their dogs in the house.

You get a dog and most likely it is still a puppy. Congratulations, you have just become a parent for your new family member!

First walk for a pee

Your puppy is 10-12 weeks old when it comes to you. It is a bit scared and needs time to adjust to this life, away from its real mother. So you make sure it feels comfortable. You carry it around, have a nice puppy bed for it and you make sure it gets the right nutritious food. When the first night rolls around you and your puppy stay together in one room, cause your puppy cannot sleep through the night without having to go and pee or even p**p.
If you are consequent, you can potty-train your puppy within 2-3 days.

Finally home and full of expectation

Once that is achieved, you can relax a bit.
Meanwhile, your puppy has received a ton of toys. Squeaky balls and little stuffed animals are strewn all around your place.  Your puppy won't keep the toys all in one place. It carries them around, drops them at will, and picks up others. But most importantly, it wants you to be part of the game. Pretty soon it drops toys at your feet or in your lap. You will be looking into hopeful puppy eyes and you will drop anything you have in your hands to fulfill your puppy's wish.

When you walk through your house, your eyes should be firmly focussed onto the floor. Balls, stuffed animals and other "toys" are perfect obstacles along your way and I'm sure you don't want to trip over them and hit your head at the edge of your dining table.

As your puppy grows, your daily chores grow as well. Now you have to start walking with your pup. You have purchased a tiny collar and a leash and are showing off your puppy to the world. Look here, we got a new family member. There comes your neighbour. As far as you know, she loves dogs, so she screams out her delight of seeing you two. I say "scream", as that it what your dog is hearing. Dogs have great hearing. They can hear a bean rustling in your vegetable garden. So you can calm down your voice when you speak to your dog. And pls. turn down your radio. If you want a quiet content dog, keep a quiet household. Puppies will start copying your behavior. The more you holler around, the more vocal your dog gets.

Your puppy might still be a bit scared of strangers, so the best is asking your friends and neighbours to ignore the puppy for a while. Dixie is still that way! Some puppies are more trusting, but you will find out about that soon. 

Exploring surroundings

Usually their natural curiosity will prevail and they will seek to explore more and more of their world. And "exploring" means also the puppy starts being interested in your furniture. If you are not in favour of damaged table and chair legs and finding stuffing of your couch pillows strewn around on the floor, you must make sure your puppy is not getting bored. You have a lawn around your home? You might find that your puppy is a habitual digger, resulting in new landscaping on your lawn. Playing and walking with the puppy is essential to keep its boundless energies under control. If you don't have the time for it, don't get a puppy.

Napping is vital for puppies

Talking and communicating to your puppy is essential. So are good hand signs. But again, keep the volume down.

As your dog gets older it might start bringing "treasures" home. "Home" means INSIDE your house. Dixie has made it a habit to bring us pieces of wood. This morning I found a tree branch on our couch. And around it plenty of wood chips. Obviously, the nights are growing longer....

Humans and dogs tend to have different ideas about what a good odour is. You can bathe and shampoo your dog until the hair falls out, but if your puppy doesn't like the perfume you prefer, it will soon find some yucky stuff on the ground and roll over it. Dixie's favourite choice is old herring, she finds on the beach. If you transport your puppy in your car you will enjoy the results immediately. Remember there is special dog shampoo available. Get a supply of it!

 The wonders of a beach walk

Most dogs prefer not having a load of water in their fur. So, after a bath, they shake violently with their ears flapping. Get out of the way or you too will enjoy a shower.

Socializing - so important

Besides of learning how to meet your neighbours, your puppy needs to learn how to meet the neighbour's dog. It's called socializing. If you never let your dog meet other dogs, don't be surprised if your dog don't gets along with other dogs once a coincidental meeting along the trail happens. Aggression between dogs is usually rooted in a failed socializing. Watch their tails. If the tail moves between its legs your dog is timid and afraid. If the tail stays up wagging back and forth, your dog enjoys the meeting and wants to play.

Watching out for visitors

Much of what is valid for dog's behaviour is also depending on the breed of your dog. Dixie is a guard dog and as such keenly aware of her surroundings. She watches the street through our living room window and she lets us know in no uncertain ways that something is about to move around there. But she is not an incessant barker. 

If you get a Beagle, be prepared to move to a different place. Even if you should enjoy the constant howling, your neighbours won't. Beagles are "Hounds" and hounds howl. It's also called "baying". They are excellent hunting dogs, but don't belong on your front lawn, where they will enjoy "entertaining" the neighbourhood.


So with all that in mind, enjoy the most wonderful of all relationships. Your dog will love you and all of your family and it deserves to be a full family member. The love your dog offers is unconditional. Treat it the same. They have gentle souls and are very capable of understanding if you are worried, sad or aggressive.

Molly, the calmest and most pleasant dog.