5 Essential Tips for 8-12 Week Old Puppies!

If you have just brought home a new puppy, congratulations! This is an exciting time for your family. Puppies are full of energy and love, and they can provide hours of entertainment. As your puppy grows and starts to learn about the world around him, there are some basic things you will need to do to make sure he has a healthy, happy life. In this blog post, we will discuss five essential tips for 8-12 week old puppies.

1. The first tip is to make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise.

Puppies have a lot of energy, and they need to burn it off. A good way to do this is to take your puppy for walks several times a day. You can also play games with him in the backyard or at the park. Just make sure you are supervising him at all times, as he may not be aware of potential dangers. Interactive toys are great for mental stimulation and a great way to keep them occupied when you need to do something important. If you've read any of my other dog tip posts you know I recommend the Kong. There are many others out there but the Kong has stood the test of time

2. The second tip is socialization. (socialize, socialize, socialize)

A new dog owner should know that socializing their pup is an important part of raising a happy, well-adjusted dog. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to socialize your pup, and it can be a fun process for both you and your furry friend. Here are a few tips:

Take your pup on walks in different neighborhoods so they can meet new people and dogs.

Attend doggy playdates or puppy classes at your local pet store or dog park.

Sign up for obedience training - this is a great way for your pup to learn how to interact with other dogs in a positive way.

Allow visitors to your home to give your pup some practice with contact with new people.

Most importantly, make sure you provide plenty of love and attention to your pup - they need plenty of positive reinforcement as they learn how to navigate the world around them!

3. The third tip is to start to potty train your puppy.

Potty training a puppy can be a bit of a challenge, but it's definitely worth the effort. While every dog is different, there are some basic tips that can help make the process a little easier. First, keep your puppy on a regular schedule. Make sure they have plenty of opportunities to go outside to relieve themselves and try to take them out at the same time each day.

Second, be consistent with your commands. When it's time to go potty, use the same phrase each time so that your pup knows what you're asking of them. And finally, be patient! It takes most puppies several months to get fully potty trained, so don't get discouraged if there are accidents along the way.

Puppies have small bladders and need to go outside frequently. If you don’t want accidents in your house, it is important to start potty training right away. With a little time and patience, you'll soon have a pup who's fully housetrained.

4. The fourth tip is to start teaching your puppy basic obedience commands.

This will help him learn how to behave and will make it easier for you to take him places without having to worry about him running off or getting into trouble. Some basic commands you can teach your puppy include “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down.”

There are many online resources for this, my favorite being Youtube. Just type 'puppy training' into the search and you will have thousands of videos to watch.

If you do not want to take the do-it-yourself approach there are many local dog trainers to choose from. If you live in a large city there are usually large 'Pet Stores' that will offer puppy training classes. Whichever approach you decide on, make sure it's all about positive reinforcement.

5. The fifth and final tip is to have patience.

Puppies are full of energy and love, but they also need time to adjust to their new homes and families. It may take a few weeks (or even longer) for your puppy to settle in and feel comfortable. Consistency is important and getting frustrated and yelling at your pup will only set any training back. Puppies grow up so fast, so savor every moment.

And don’t forget to enjoy all the cuddles, kisses, and tail wags along the way!

Do you have any other tips for new puppy owners? Share them in the comments below!