You just welcomed a new puppy in your family. Now, it is your responsibility to teach your new pet about life at home and how to be well-behaved inside the house.

Puppies are naturally curious, excited, and full of energy. If not house-trained, they could bite, chew, and try to eat anything they can put in their mouth. To redirect your pup’s hyperactive energy, it’s up to you to teach him correct behavior.

Don’t know where to start? Worry not — a Dubai pet food company shares some great tips for helping your new pup become a good member of your household.

1. Establish routine and structure

Right from the start, you should set up a strict routine to curb your puppy’s behavior. It’s important to come up with a fixed schedule for your dog so that he knows when it’s time to eat, play, and sleep. This will help limit your pup’s hyper behaviour to specific times of the day and teach him to release it only during play times.

• Take your pup outdoors often – As much as possible, give your new pet a chance to go outside at least every two hours. You can take him out immediately after he wakes up and after every meal time.
• Select a bathroom spot outside – Every time your puppy needs to relieve himself, always take him to the same spot. Also, use a specific phrase or word that will remind your pup what he needs to do. Only take your pooch out for playtime or give rewards after he has successfully relieved himself.
• Establish a regular feeding schedule – Depending on your puppy’s age, you’ll need to feed him at least three to four times a day. Feeding your pup at the same time each day makes it more likely for him to relieve himself at a consistent time as well. This makes potty training easier for both you and your new dog.

2. Provide positive outlets

Your pup needs a positive outlet for his active body and inquisitive mind. If he does not have such outlets, he will try to figure out his own activities. This may cause him to damage your possessions and exhibit aggression. You might need to visit the vet (or the furniture store, to replace a damaged couch).

There are many games you can play with your pup to help him release his energy. For starters, you can let him have fun by taking a walk in the park or playing with interactive dog toys.

What’s important is that you make sure that it’s a positive experience for both you and your pup so that he won’t hesitate to let all his energy out.

3. Supervise your pet at all times

Don’t give your new pup a golden opportunity to soil your house. Always keep an eye on your pet whenever he’s indoors. If you can’t supervise him at all times, you can restrict your pup to a specific area by placing him inside a crate or playpen.

Watch out for signs that your pup needs to go out as you wouldn’t want him to relieve himself on your expensive carpet or furniture. Some signs are quite obvious, such as:

• Barking
• Scratching at the door
• Restlessness
• Squatting
• Sniffing and turning around in circles

Once you see any of the signs above, immediately get the leash and take your pet outside to his bathroom spot. If your dog successfully relieves himself, reward him with praise and a treat.

Remain patient and consistent

It’s quite easy to lose patience over a hyperactive puppy with crazy energy and a short attention span. However, getting angry, shouting, and hitting your new pup will only cause him to become more agitated and hyper. A dog can sense your emotions, so whatever your new pup does, stay calm.

If you start feeling angry, take a break from watching your pup and let someone do the training on your behalf. If no one’s around, place the puppy temporarily inside a crate or tie him down to take a short break and collect yourself. Keep in mind that house training is only as effective as your ability to control your temper.

By staying calm and consistent, you’re also teaching your pup to learn good behavior from you. Once your dog learns how he should act at home, don’t forget to give praise and rewards to encourage him to maintain good behavior.

AUTHOR BIO

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.