Every now and again, we are lucky enough to get a training client boarding with us while they are still a puppy. It's lots of fun for everyone, and also lots of additional work. Puppies are not smaller versions of dogs, they are dogs that are not mature mentally of physically yet. They are in the process of learning EVERYTHING. Sometimes people forget, since they have had and adult dog for the past 9-13 years, of the differences between puppies and dogs.
Here are things that I do additionally, and need to watch for when I have a "puppy in the house"!!!
1) Have plenty of opportunities for them to go out and do their business outside.
2) Supervise, supervise and then supervise some more. When you can't supervise, please crate them or have them tethered to you. For instance, puppy in the house threw up a dish cloth from his owner's home in the first few hours here. I am sure that he had made quick work of it, and the owner's never even knew he was in possition of it.
3) Which is a good lead in to the next point, that puppies are fill of wonder, curiousity, and mischief. The best idea is to make sure that puppy is entertained during his waking and non sleeping hours. Of course you can't do that 24/7, but you need to create interest for your puppy and many play opportunities.
4) Puppies are growing, and they can damage themselves. I try and make sure puppies don't jump from any unreasonable heights. (or expect them to jump into the cab of my truck at too young of an age).
5) Young mischievous puppy behavior sometimes effects the adult dogs LOL. As trusted Pluto proved the other day when he greeted me with the chewed up version of one of my favorite sneakers. He is usually the best boy.....sigh. Apparently he got caught up in some puppy memories even though the puppy had been in a seperate room napping.
6) As an owner or boarder of dogs, it's good to realize that puppies eat quite a bit. They eat almost as much or as much as their adult versions do. This is because they are growing things such as bones, skin, muscles, et.
Have fun with your puppies, but remember that they are growing and learning. It's our job to keep them as safe as possible in the meantime.
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