8 Common Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make

Getting a new puppy is an exciting journey, but it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s also a long-term commitment!

Your new companion is going to be with you for the better part of 10 years, at least, and in the excitement of puppyhood, it’s easy to forget to keep the long-term plan in mind. It’s also very easy to be so completely in love with your puppy that you make unintentional mistakes which may haunt you for a long time.

To keep the end goal in place, avoid these top eight mistakes new puppy owners commonly make.

Letting your puppy sleep in your bed, or sleeping with your puppy in her room

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your dog sleep in your bed, it can be confusing for your dog if you are going to change your mind about letting her sleep in your bed when she’s a fully grown Bullmastiff or Rottweiler.

So if you are going to prefer letting your adult dog sleep in her own bed, start that habit now, as it will be less confusing for your dog in the long run.

Similarly, if you want your pup to sleep in a different room, don’t put a mattress on the floor and sleep with her there in the beginning. Rather provide her with a hot-water bottle, a ticking clock and of course a very comfortable bed before calmly saying goodnight. If she cries, walk past her so she can see you and hear you, but don’t play with her. The first few nights alone can be quite scary for a pup not used to being alone. If you start sleeping in the same room, you’re creating an expectation that will be difficult to change later on.

Don’t ignore her if she’s crying – she will be in real distress. Rather let her know you’re there by making some noise and providing comforting alternatives such as the ones mentioned above, but don’t create a new habit that will be difficult to break later.