When you bring him home, your new puppy will start training to behave around you and his surroundings. Puppyhood is the best time for learning since puppies learn knowledge like little sponges. The best time to focus on socialization, getting your puppy out to meet people, and teaching them the manners they will need throughout their life is right now.
Get your puppy outside and expose them to as much of the world as possible. Before your dog receives all its shots, ask your veterinarian what safe activities they advise. After that, there are no limits to the places and things you and your puppy can discover.
What Do Puppies Need?
When a puppy is adopted into a new human household, they are typically around 8 weeks old. They require constant interaction, four to five meals distributed throughout the day, and, most importantly, socialization at this age. This means that virtually every day, you must find fresh experiences for your dog and take them somewhere new.
Puppy socialization is essential for preventing adult behavioral issues in puppies under 16 weeks old. Additionally, you’ll need to potty train your puppy. These crucial components of your puppy’s education cannot wait until the weekend or be put off until the evening.
Along with all of this, you should begin building a relationship with your dog. Playtime, feeding them, and other activities are included.
The Initial Days
A name should be decided upon for your puppy so he may begin to learn it. The puppy should first explore one room, preferably the one he will spend the most time in, and then when he appears comfortable there, you should let him explore more.
He will require reinforcement about his new home throughout the first several evenings. He’ll look to you for support and direction. Keep him close to your bed so you can immediately remove him if he has to go outside if he becomes frightened.
- Once the puppy has become adjusted to his new home, limit visitors.
- Although playing with puppies is fun, you should let him sleep when he’s dozing. At this age, they need it.
- Create a schedule for eating, using the restroom, playing, and sleeping.
House Training
Establish a designated location for your puppy’s toilet breaks. Every time you take him there, tell him to “potty” or “hurry” when he needs to relieve himself. Make sure to give him your compliments once he is done. Bring him in later. Encourage play sparingly because doing so will make him lose track of the activity’s goal.
Keep a tight check on your puppy to spot or prevent accidents until he learns to “go” outside. If you see him doing it, sternly warn him “No” or “Bad” and lead him outside to his appropriate potty place. Puppies can only relate reprimand to the current situation.
It is your fault for letting him commit the error if you do not catch him in the act. Right now, all you can do is tidy up the mess.
When your puppy wakes up in the morning or after a nap, playing, eating, or drinking right before bedtime, he might need to use the restroom.
Take away the water an hour before bedtime to help the puppy hold out until morning.
In general, pups can be safely left in their crate for as many hours as their age in months plus one up to their first year if they are trained to use a crate.
Encourage good behavior
Typically, a puppy will growl, nip, mouth, and chew. We do not want these behaviors to persist into problematic ones, though.
Dogs cannot speak. Thus, they utilize growling to express fear or caution. It would help if you first determined the cause of your puppy’s growling. Soothe him with a soothing voice and a soft touch if he is agitated because of fear. Never make him face his fear; instead, assist him in overcoming it. Don’t smother him in love to make him feel better.
Demonstrate to him that there is nothing to be afraid of and that you have no reaction to the source of his anxiety. In certain cases, facing a terrifying object repeatedly is necessary to overcome anxiety.
You should firmly tell your puppy “NO!” and take the item from him if he growls at you to keep a toy or food from you. Give it to him once more. Then, after about a minute, take it once more. If he doesn’t snarl, give him a hearty compliment. Repeat the method until he stops growling. If he does, tell him “NO!” and take the object away. Never give up. Never let a dog off the hook for misbehavior.
Nipping or Mouthing
Just like babies, puppies use their mouths to explore and feel their surroundings. Puppies play with one another in their litter by biting and nibbling. As a result, when they play, they use their mouth in a natural way. Make a loud, high-pitched shriek or tell your puppy “NO!” when he bites, nips, or mouths you. So that he stops, you want to startle him.
After the incident, try giving him a toy or bone to demonstrate what you would prefer him to bite on. A flat palm in front of their nose can also be used; wait for them to lick it. When they do, compliment them on being friendly.
Once he stops the negative behavior, whether you have something else for him to chew on or not, compliment him for his improved behavior. You’ll discover that it can be a drawn-out procedure. Continue making corrections, being tough, but keep your cool.
Chewing
Puppies need to chew. The fact that their teeth are developing and moving makes them want to chew. Additionally, chewing helps children brush their teeth. Ensure your puppy has many suitable chew toys and bones available.
Tell him to leave it if you see him chewing on anything he shouldn’t be. Take it and guide him to an appropriate chew toy. Be persistent and patient. It would help if you complimented him when you catch him chewing on a bone or one of his chew toys. It would help if you kept in mind that they must chew.
Can You Raise A Puppy if You Work Full Time?
You can read a dog even if you have a full-time job. However, you will typically need to engage someone to assist you. A professional dog sitter or someone with experience working with animals is frequently the best choice.
They will be better equipped to understand a puppy’s needs and carry out any instructions you provide regarding potty training, socialization, and daily routines.
You might be able to locate pals who will take care of your Labradoodle puppy while you’re gone. Although they may have the best intentions, many friends may be less willing to put in the necessary effort once they learn how demanding pups may be.
Can Someone Just Check on Your Puppy?
It’s common for people to hire a friend or dog sitter to check on their puppy every few hours. They might even intend to do it themselves and save money by returning home at lunch. This, however, is insufficient contact for a young puppy.
It would be best to drop off your puppy with your buddy on the way to work and pick them up on the way home if a friend has agreed to watch your dog.
Your puppy is likely to grow quite distressed and may experience separation anxiety in the long run if you leave them alone at home all day with only occasional visits to check on them. It may be difficult to treat this.
What Do Puppies Do During The Day
Although little puppies spend a lot of time sleeping, during the first two to three weeks, this time decreases quickly. During the first few weeks, a lot of time is spent adjusting to family life, getting to know family members, and learning to pay attention to and pay attention to their human companions.
Puppies who spend much time with relatives pick up new skills rapidly and settle into new environments. When puppies are left at home alone, they miss out on a crucial stage of growth, and more crucially, so do their owners.
If you work a full-time job, one thing you can do is make sure your evenings are spent interacting with your dog. Even if it’s dark out, you must walk your puppy in the evenings. You’ll visit and spend time on training exercises and games that help your puppy learn to pay attention to you.
Create Time
The majority of Labradoodle owners decide to crate-train their young dogs. When they leave home, their dog has a secure place to rest, nap, and play. Cate training aims to simulate the cozy confines of a small, enclosed den. The den a newborn wild canid might retreat to while its mother is out hunting is comparable.
Nevertheless, don’t expect a Labradoodle puppy to understand immediately that a crate serves this purpose. After all, your puppy bid farewell to its fellow littermates, with whom they shared a bed. They’re now on their own in a setting where everyone and everything is brand-new.
Your Labradoodle might initially feel uneasy about being confined to a crate. So, for the first few nights at home, let them sleep in the crate beside your bed. Additionally, increase their time in the crate in very few steps.
You’ll need to provide your child with a puppy-proof place while you are away during the day. It’s vital to note that, while working full-time, you shouldn’t simply lock your Labradoodle puppy in its box.
They may experience tension from this, resulting in worry, despair, and energy buildup. It is crucial to have a puppy-proof space, such as a large playpen or room, with a bed, drinking water, and a place for puppies to relieve themselves.
This will probably result in a little lengthier toilet training process for you.
Regular Meals
Puppies require 4 meals daily until they are at least three months old. Puppies with digestive issues could require five meals every day for a while. This is because, unlike an adult Labradoodle, their little stomachs will have difficulty digesting huge amounts of food.
Depending on your job schedule, you might be able to feed the morning and evening meals. However, most owners with full-time jobs outside the home discover that they require assistance feeding during the day. Alternatively, even when paying a dog sitter, you might try to make plans to come home a few times during the day.
You may utilize your Labradoodle puppy’s daily food allowance for training, and feeding them yourself is a terrific way to strengthen your relationship.
Frequent Potty Breaks
The digestive system of a puppy stabilizes at about 12 months. Expect accidents in the interim, whether or not your Labradoodle puppy wants them to. To put it another way, expecting your puppy to “hold it” for many hours while you’re gone is, at best unreasonable and, at worst cruel.
Adding one hour of bladder and bowel control is generally recommended for every month of age. Your Labradoodle might be able to hold it for two hours at eight weeks old. However, this is not a given, and some puppies could need to urinate as frequently as once every 20 minutes, particularly when learning where to go potty. And especially if they’re under stress, like being at home alone.
You’ll need someone else to be at home to allow your Labradoodle out to poop and pee while you’re at work. If not, there will be numerous puppy accidents when you get home. Additionally, keeping your puppy clean indoors won’t be easy in the long run.
Your Time
Dogs that are highly focused on people include Labradoodles. Not unexpected, given that they are descendants of the amiable Labrador Retriever and the devoted Standard Poodle breeds!
Many dog breeds, including Labradoodles, thrive on human company. Your Labradoodle puppy will require and desire as much “you” time as possible, so be prepared. In particular, because this will be the first time they have ever been alone, without even their mother or siblings to keep them company.
Even while it’s great for you to spend time with your dog to strengthen your bond, your puppy will be OK with someone they know if you work a full-time job.
Socialization and Training
If you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder, your Labradoodle puppy will have started fundamental training and socialization before coming home with you.
You are responsible for continuing socializing and training your puppy in all crucial areas. This comprises:
- basic commands
- bathroom training
- Socialization with unfamiliar people and animals is also important.
Given your work schedule, you might want to think about whether or not you can teach your puppy before and after work. This is great because your new Labradoodle puppy will strengthen your bond with each training session you complete.
Play and Exercise
Because they desire an active dog to go walking, hiking, and adventuring with, many Labradoodle owners opt for the playful, energetic Labradoodle.
However, unless your dog’s doctor gives the all-clear, you should confine your Labradoodle’s exercise to your home and yard when they are young. Labradoodle puppies exercise surprisingly well by exploring, playing, and learning new things.
Puppies typically only require 5 minutes of exercise per month of their lives. Thus, at 12 weeks, they should only engage in formal activity for 15 minutes. This can go up to 20 minutes at 16 weeks, and so forth.
Your Doodle might appreciate longer walks, lasting up to 40 minutes, by the age of 8 months! Other dogs might also enjoy some active playtime in the dog park or learning how to fetch.
Consider arranging your workday for interactive free play time with your Labradoodle puppy before you leave. This will strengthen your relationship with one another.
You can then plan another free play session for the nights when you are all at home.
How About a Dog Daycare?
You will need to find or employ someone else to meet your Labradoodle puppy’s social needs if you are unable to be there personally to spend time with them as they grow.
Your Labradoodle puppy is not permitted to interact with unvaccinated dogs or to lie on the ground outside until they have had all of their vaccinations. They run the danger of developing significant health issues like parvovirus.
Your puppy won’t receive all its vaccinations until it is 16 weeks old (four months). Therefore, you must wait until your dog reaches this age before considering a dog daycare facility.
You’ll also need to hire a dog sitter for the first two months because most puppies arrive at their new homes at 8 weeks old. Alternately, cut back on your work hours and make frequent trips home during the day to take care of your dog.
When you have a full-time job, should you get a puppy?
More employers than ever provide flexible work schedules or even remote work accommodations when possible. Thanks to this, many folks who previously couldn’t own a dog can now do so.
You might be able to raise a puppy while working a full-time job if you and other family members can space out your working hours to reduce the time your dog spends alone.
But for many pet parents, hiring a professional caregiver is the only practical option for rearing a puppy while they are employed full-time. As a result, before bringing a puppy into your home, you should consider the associated costs.
It would help to consider what you hope to gain from parenting a puppy yourself. Your attachment to your Labradoodle puppy will grow stronger the more time you can spend together while they’re still young. You should be able to meet your puppy’s requirements personally.
Working full-time does not exclude you from raising a Labradoodle puppy, but you will miss out on early care, which might be disheartening.
Conclusion
Training is a gradual process, and going it alone can be challenging. It’s crucial that the entire family commits to a training regimen and that everyone agrees to have the same reaction to both your puppy dog’s misbehavior and her good behavior. Remember to be patient and persistent above all else as you train.
Although your puppy will undoubtedly make a lot of blunders and possibly destroy some of your possessions, the puppy is primarily just anxious to please you. To grow up to be the good Labradoodle dog you know they can be, the puppy needs your love, direction, and care.
