How to raise a puppy?

The arrival of a puppy at home is a magical moment. It’s all joy, fun and games, but… that puppy is going to grow up and get older, so it’s time to make the rules clear to secure a happy and peaceful coexistence. Discover the best tips for welcoming a puppy home.

Here at Picart we would like to give you 8 basic tips that you should follow to educate your puppy. They are easy to understand, but they require perseverance, patience and equal followership by all members of the family.

Before the puppy gets home

It is important to agree on the basics before your pet arrives home.

1. The dog’s name. Short names with a strong consonant will help to attract the dog’s attention. It is important that the dog associates his name with a positive stimulus. You will avoid doing the 300-metre run chasing after your furry friend.
2. Where will be his eating and sleeping corner.
3. Basic rules of coexistence. You must decide if you are going to let him on the sofa and beds, or if he is going to be able to go into all the rooms in the house… make an agreement and keep everyone on the same page so you don’t confuse your dog.
4. Food and walks. Define who will be in charge of feeding the dog and who will take turns walking him.

8 basic tips for raising a puppy

Once the dog is at home, follow these 8 recommendations to educate it properly from the first day. This will help to ensure a happy, sociable and balanced dog.

However, you can also hire a professional dog trainer, but with patience and affection you will be able to train your dog by yourself.

1. Basic discipline. Puppies are playful and sometimes they can be messy at home. It is important to teach them what is right and wrong from the very beginning, by saying “no” with authority when they are behaving incorrectly.
2. Positive reinforcement. Likewise, when your dog is doing something right, it is important for them to know it. Reward him with a “very good”, petting, or kisses… Learn more about positive reinforcement and find out why it is so important in your dog’s education.
3. No biting. Puppies tend to play by biting your hands, your feet… If you don’t stop it from the first moment, the dog will understand it is OK. By the time it gets older, it will keep on biting in order to play. If he bites you, tell him “no” and don’t play until he stops biting you.
4. Teach him to be sociable. It is important for the new member of the family to interact with other puppies to start socialising. To keep a balanced dog, you need to get him outdoors, let him play with other dogs and allow him to use up his energy.
5. Walking at your side. You should walk your dog at least twice a day, so it is important that he gets used to the leash. Teach him to walk at your side, without pulling or stressing out. It will take a little while at first, but with positive reinforcement, he will gradually get used to it. When he pulls hard, stand up and tell him “no”. Make him sit down and start walking again.
6. Do not over-excite him. Always keep calm and never get your puppy too excited. For instance, they love to jump up when you greet them. When they do it, don’t scold them, just ignore their behaviour and wait until they calm down. You should avoid, no matter how nice it may seem, praising him when he is in a state of nervousness. Turn your back on him and ignore him.
7. Do not let it bite your things. Often, puppies grab any object they can reach to chew on it. Do not let them do it, or they will understand that it is allowed to bite everything. When you see them biting something they shouldn’t, take it away and give them something they can chew on, like one of their toys.
8. Be persistent. Don’t give up if you notice your dog doesn’t grasp it right away. It’s normal! Maintain your patience and continue to persist; eventually, they will obey.

If you’re eager to learn more about dog behavior, make sure to explore other posts on the blog. You may discover additional information that piques your interest