Bringing a new puppy home is a joyful and rewarding adventure. However, it also comes with big responsibilities because your new furry friend is entering an entire new world. Coming in from being weaned and away from mom, your puppy may feel lost in a vast, loud, and scary new world. This is a critical phase in their lives, and what they learn at this phase would determine their adulthood behavior. But how much attention does a puppy actually need to become a well-adjusted, obedient dog?
Early Training and Bonding
Puppies, being young creatures like all others, require a lot of attention. They also require adequate sleep and rest. Puppies, on average, sleep about 16 hours a day, with only a few hours left to be active, awake, and alert. During these hours, it's very important that you use the time in bonding with your puppy and initiating their training.
Training at this level is extremely important. Puppies are learning about their world and their place in it, so initial interactions will have lasting effects. One key part of this is housebreaking—puppies cannot hold water for long periods of time, so they must be let out frequently to avoid accidents and establish a routine.
Building a positive rapport with your puppy by means of reinforcement and continued training will lay the foundation for their adult life. Positive habits need to be formed from the beginning.
Socialization
Socialization is also a crucial aspect of puppy care early on. Without their mother, the puppies will turn to their owners for guidance and reassurance. In exposing your puppy to lots of new people, locations, and other dogs, you are enabling them to become well-rounded, confident companions. Socialization early on can also prevent later behavioral problems, such as fear or hostility toward new people or things.
Although it would be easier to leave your puppy at home during the housebreaking process, this can lead to socialization issues in the future. The more positive experiences they receive around new people, other dogs, and environments, the better they will be able to handle different situations in the future.
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Attention?
While puppies require a great deal of attention, it's possible to provide too much. It can become unhealthy behavior and becomes a dependency. So, constantly responding to the whining of a puppy or following them everywhere may not be the best because puppies whine for attention, and if constantly given in to, they learn to link whining with getting something. Therefore, bad habits come out; for instance, reliance on whining long after these puppies have grown out of their puppy stage.
It is essential to set boundaries. Although your puppy will be scared or lonely at first, allowing them to cry or learn by themselves is an important part of their growth. Giving them space allows them to develop self-soothing and rely less on you for comfort.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is yet another common thing among new puppy owners. Puppies are highly attached to their owners and do not like to be left alone for a moment. However, do not give in to the temptation of staying at home all the time so as to keep your puppy with you. It will only complicate things for them when you finally leave the house.
Instead, you should gradually introduce them to being alone for brief periods. If you are going to be gone for a long period of time, try to return for a break to see them and take them out for bathroom breaks. Your puppy will gradually get used to being left alone and be able to entertain themselves. Giving them a place to relax and some toys, e.g., a crate or a spare bedroom, can also calm their nerves.
Sleep Habits
Sleeping through the night with your puppy may be a problem for some new owners. Puppies do not sleep in a regular manner, and they will wake up numerous times at night. A bedtime routine and a proper sleeping area are important to instill.
The key to your puppy sleeping at night is consistency. Put them in bed the same time every evening, and feed them and take them outside for a bathroom break before that. If your puppy whines at night, do not attend to them immediately. The goal is for them to learn to sleep independently.
Your puppy's sleeping space should be cozy and comforting, but it should not be associated with punishment. Forcing them into a crate when they whine will only create negative associations with that space. Instead, ensure that the crate or bed is a safe and inviting place where your puppy will feel secure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, puppies require a significant amount of attention, especially in their early weeks at home. However, it's important not to overdo it. Excessive attention can lead to bad habits, such as separation anxiety and reliance on constant care. Puppies need time to adjust and learn how to entertain themselves, and by setting clear boundaries, you’ll help them grow into well-adjusted, independent adults.
Puppies typically need about 3 hours of attention a day, broken down into training, socialization, and exercise. Providing the right amount of attention and creating a routine will ensure that your puppy will grow up to be happy, healthy, and well behaved
