A list of what you should do with your puppy to ensure a happy, healthy and well-behaved dog for life!
Getting a puppy is an exciting time, but gorgeous as they are, all puppies do become dogs and it’s important to do the right thing from the beginning to ensure you don’t face any issues later.
The most critical time in a pup’s development is the Formative Period (2-4 months of age), when they are most ripe for learning - 80% of the brain wires up in these months! At this time, you have a chance to shape behaviour rather than trying to change established behaviour – as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Here’s my top list of “must-dos” when you bring a puppy home. If you do all of these things, you will have the best relationship with your dog for life!
(Use the right arrow below to see the full list.)
Mark Vette is a world-renowned Animal Behaviourist, Zoologist and Trainer. He brings together a unique combination of academic studies with 40 years of applied clinical animal behaviour consulting and treatment. Mark is a member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. This article was written by Mark and the views expressed are his own.
Good luck with your new puppy, it can be both a wonderful and overwhelming time! But with a bit of preparation and understanding, you’ll come out the other side with a best friend for life. Enjoy!
Always consult your vet on the best way to look after your pet. And to avoid unexpected costs, make sure your pet is insured.
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