New Dog? What Do You Need to Do?

What are a few important things to do when you get a new dog?

• Determine what your routines will be?
• Lay out the rules for the new dog to succeed?
• Train new behaviors or tricks?
• Go on lots of walks, hikes and adventures?
• Play with them?
• Introduce them to family and friends?

If you said to yourself, “Those all sound like good ideas!”, you’d be right! However, there is a crucial, and oftentimes overlooked, option missing from this list.

Allowing and promoting your new dog to sleep.

It can be so alluring to do ALL THE THINGS right away! So many places to explore, tricks to train, people to show your new pup off to!

Just know, all of these fun opportunities will still be there in a few days, weeks and even months. Your new dog, whether they are a young puppy or newly adopted adult, are making some major adjustments coming into your home.

Everything is brand-new and they may feel the need to be “on” more than usual. To take in all the new sights, smells and other stimuli, to figure out how they can best be successful in this new place. Being this in-tune with all the happenings around them is exhausting! Overtired dogs are unhappy dogs.

What can you do?!

Set some time aside for your dog to actually settle and sleep during the day. This can be done using x-pens, crates, using dog beds or allowing them up on furniture, that is up to you. The main objective is to give them a place where they comfortably and reliably settle and sleep.

Make sleeping and resting a normal part of your routine and also do “human-stuff” during this time. Catch up on work, browse social media or watch a movie. Take a nap yourself, there is a good chance YOU will be super tired too! Bringing a new dog into your life is hard work!

Just know a well-adjusted dog is one that can settle and rest. Likewise, a well-adjusted dog owner is one who adores and loves their dog, but can still have a life and interests separate and apart from their dog. Be certain to promote both, and you and your new dog with reap the benefits!

Stay tuned for more new dog tips coming your way!

Dianna has been training dogs professionally since 2011. She has done everything from teaching group training classes and private lessons, to specializing in working with fearful, reactive and aggressive dogs, to being a trial official and competition organization staff member.

Following a serious neck and back injury, Dianna was forced to retire from in-person dog training. But she was not ready to give up her passion! So, she created Pet Dog U and Scent Work University to provide outstanding online dog training to as many dog handlers, owners and trainers possible…regardless of where they live! Dianna is incredibly grateful to the amazingly talented group of instructors who have joined PDU and SWU and she looks forward to the continued growth of PDU and SWU and increased learning opportunities all of these online dog training platforms can provide.

In June 2021, Dianna and her business partner, Sean McMurray launched Cyber Scent Work, Inc., an organization that operates in the gray space between training and trialing in Scent Work. With Cyber Scent Work, Inc., handlers have the opportunity to earn Qs, titles and ribbons while also receiving helpful training advice regardless of whether they qualify or not! Be sure to check out Cyber Scent Work, Inc., you will be happy you did!

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