Navigating the early days: Understanding Your Puppy

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting milestone, but before those little paws hit the floor, it’s important to get your space ready. From your puppy’s perspective, anything within reach is fair game. Shoes, board games, and even that questionable sweater your nana brought back from Spain (thanks, Nana).

Start by moving anything valuable or potentially harmful out of reach. That includes wires, plugs, sharp objects, and anything you wouldn’t want chewed. Baby gates can also be a game-changer for keeping your curious explorer out of off-limits areas.

Creating a safe, calm space for your puppy to rest is just as important. Set up their bed in a quiet corner where they can retreat when things feel overwhelming. If they choose to take a break there, let them have that time undisturbed: it helps them reset and builds their confidence.

Toilet training takes patience, and consistency is key. Take them out regularly and reward them after they finish doing their business. Try not to interrupt the process or scold them if there’s an accident - puppies don’t understand punishment, and negative reactions can slow their progress. Just clean up the mess and keep encouraging the right behaviour.

Even after a big day, your pup may still have energy to burn (they are puppies, after all). Having a variety of toys on hand will help redirect their playful chewing away from your belongings and strengthen your bond in the process.

It’s also important to remember that puppies aren’t born knowing the rules. Behaviours you find frustrating are usually just part of the learning curve. With gentle guidance and positive reinforcement, they’ll begin to understand what’s okay and what’s not.