If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, it’s important to be aware of all the different factors that come into play. This might seem like a simple decision but there’s a lot that you are perhaps not yet prepared for. Let’s look at some of these surprises.
The Crying
The crying is one of the biggest issues because people often don’t expect it. However, when you get a puppy you have to remember that they were used to sleeping with their mother. So, sleeping by themselves is a radical change which means that they will often cry when they are left alone, particularly at night.
Now, you might think that this is simply a case of ignoring the crying and perhaps putting in headphones. Well first the crying is heartbreaking and second, pups actually have tiny little bladders. As such, it’s possible that they are crying because they don’t want to relieve themselves in their bed. You’ll begin to understand which cry means what but there will always be some trial and error here.
The Boredom
Puppies do get bored of toys fairly quickly. Just like children, they won’t be entertained by the same toy forever. So, you need to make sure that you are getting new ones for them to play with. Be aware that every toy is not going to be suitable for every breed. This depends on the size and type of dog.
You might be getting a Shih Tzu and if so you can learn about what they need on sites like shihtzucenter.com. Aside from entertainment toys will also help a puppy handle teething. Teething is a major concern because it causes a great deal of discomfort for the animal.
If they aren’t given something to chew then they’ll find something around your home instead. This could be anything from a piece of furniture to wire for a piece of tech. Make sure that you get toys with a wide variety of textures to provide the right support and keep them entertained at the same time.
The Leash Training
You might think that a puppy will instinctively want to go for a walk on a leash. This isn’t the case. They’ll want to go for a walk but a leash will be a completely alien concept to them. You will need to approach this the right way often with treats as well as praise for taking the right steps. Something to be aware of here is that a harness will often be a better choice compared with a collar. A collar can cause problems because you will be tugging on their neck which is uncomfortable. A harness provides a far greater level of support.
Do remember that you can’t take a pup out for a walk too early, even if you do want to show them off. It’s important to wait until they are old enough with all the right injections to protect them. You will also need to make sure that they are trained enough to trust them in the outside world. You can learn more about leash training on https://www.youtube.com.
These are great tips. Everyone thinking about getting a puppy should remember these!