Recently, I’ve been reminiscing about those early days and weeks when we brought Bella, a Border Collie puppy, home and I became a new puppy guardian. She’s 11 years old now, and has a fabulous life, but those mistakes I made when she was so young still hang heavy on my heart.
Luckily, I’ve been able to switch things up and turn them around. I’ve craved the knowledge and skills I needed back then.
And like many of my colleagues, it was my own dogs that gave me the drive to start a career as a dog trainer.
But, it is those early memories that define my niche and drive my passion.
In this blog post we’ll share my 4 biggest regrets as a new puppy guardian. So you can take steps to start your journey on a different path.
Becoming a new puppy guardian
At the time, I didn’t know any better. I did my research about the breed, spoke to friends and the breeder about my main concern…both my husband and I worked full-time.
I knew Border Collies had lots of energy and knew she would need plenty of physical exercise. So, my husband and I put a plan in place to provide her with the exercise she needed (when she was old enough) around our work commitments.
The day came when we went to collect Bella.
I was incredibly nervous and excited at the same time…could we take care of her?
She was the last puppy available and was perfect! When the other puppies trotted off down the lane on the farm, Bella came and sat on my feet. She chose me.
We brought her home, but we weren’t prepared. We had a large cardboard box for a bed, with a blanket in the bottom and a few toys. Maybe unsurprisingly, she wasn’t inside the box when we got up the next morning!
Very quickly I realised I didn’t have a clue how to look after her. I desperately wanted to do my best for her.
What do you do about;
- a puppy chewing a chair leg?
- digging huge holes in the garden?
- biting your arm?
- toileting indoors?
- not sleeping at night?
Back then there wasn’t as much help and advice as there is now.
Thankfully, we live in 2022. Things have moved on!
There’s been huge strides in our understanding and application of how dogs learn and develop. But, the traditional view of “puppy training” still lingers on.
3 common puppy training myths debunked
1. “I can’t do anything with my puppy until s/he is 12 weeks old”
This is completely untrue. Your puppy will be learning from you and your family, from the moment you bring them home.
Science tells us, if we get it right in those early days and weeks, a puppy has a greater chance of growing up to be a confident, happy and well-behaved dog.
2. “I want a class in a hall, with other puppies”
Puppy classes are generally up to the age of 20 weeks. You could end up missing out altogether.
This comment is usually from people who believe puppy classes get their puppy “socialised”. The truth is; the sensitive period for socialisation is from the age of 3 weeks to 12 weeks of age.
3. “We don’t know what we will need until we bring our puppy home”
Ok, I get this. You don’t know what you don’t know, right? But, what about having peace of mind? To know you are doing everything humanly possible for your new puppy. And in the right way. Rather than seeing how you get on.
I can promise you, you will need some advice and support. When I asked in my Facebook group, “what was it like when you brought your new puppy home?” The reply was a resounding, “it was like bringing home a new born baby”.
If I could travel back in time, knowing what I know now, I would have done lots of things differently…
My 4 biggest regrets as a new puppy guardian
1. I should have made myself available for my puppy
- Dogs are social animals. Being out at work and leaving my puppy home alone for most of the day was not cool. I did employ a dog walker, but it wasn’t what she needed. She needed me.
- To build a strong attachment with your puppy you need to be around for most of the time up until the age of 16 weeks.
- During this time you need to teach your puppy to feel ok about being left alone and about the world around them in a sensitive and positive way.
- And most importantly, you need to build trust. How can you do this if you’re not around?
2. I should have been more prepared
- Having a box for a bed with a blanket inside for her first night in her new home was appalling! Thinking about it now, I don’t have a clue why I didn’t buy a bed. We bought poo bags, a cuddly toy, a blanket, a food and water bowl. All things you can buy in a store where you get your weekly food shop.
- One of the most exciting things about preparing for the arrival of a new puppy is shopping! Make sure you have everything you need to help your puppy settle more easily in their new home.
- And get the information and support you need, BEFORE you bring your puppy home.
3. I should have provided her with more mentally stimulating and enriching activities
- I didn’t have a clue back then about what my puppy needed. I was under the impression that meeting her basic needs and giving her the physical exercise she needed was the be all and end all.
- Later I found out, to enable Bella to reach her full potential and to help her feel happier. I needed to provide her with more mentally stimulating and enriching activities. We found agility and I taught Bella tricks. Later, we learned scent work and Hoopers.
- Whatever it may be, spend a few minutes everyday with your puppy; learning something new, extending a skill, doing something you both enjoy, give them puzzles to solve, great scents to sniff and places to explore!
Take a look at Beyond the bowl – canine enrichment. It’s packed full of fabulous ideas to add enrichment into your puppy’s day.
4. I should have started our relationship in the right way
- I’ve always reinforced the behaviours I like with Bella and have never punished her or used aversive tools. This was something I did know about. Always kind and always patient. This played a huge role in our relationship. So that’s not what I’m talking about here.
- But, if I’d made myself available, been more prepared and provided her with more mentally stimulating and enriching activities our relationship would have started in the right way.
- Dogs are extremely special with their super sniffers, sharp observation skills, ability to learn all sorts of helpful jobs, feel emotions and form strong bonds with us. They’re sentient beings and deserve to live the best life. Make sure you start your relationship in the right way.
I’m not going to lie, this blog post wasn’t easy to write. But I hope this helps you to take steps to avoid making the mistakes I made. My TOP TIP for you, as a new or soon to be puppy guardian is…BE PROACTIVE.
Here’s an excellent place to begin – my FREE Puppy Start Right Workshop. Inside you’ll learn the knowledge and skills needed to raise and train your puppy when making mistakes just isn’t an option. Pop your details in the form below to get instant access!
If you enjoyed this blog article, please share it and let me know in the comments below if it has helped you!
Happy training!
Lindsay xx
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