Ah, the enchantment of puppies! With their tiny noses, adorable paws, and that irresistible puppy breath, it's no wonder we find ourselves captivated by their cuteness. Puppyhood seems like a dream, a perfect fit for your family... until reality sets in and you find yourself exclaiming, "What were we thinking?!" From Dreamy to Naughty: Understanding the Journey
It's not uncommon for new puppy owners to believe their furry bundle of joy is so perfect that they don't need any help or guidance. However, as puppies reach around three months of age, a significant shift often occurs. They enter their teenage stage, complete with their own opinions and newfound free will. Suddenly, that once-perfect puppy turns unruly and challenges our patience. 
During this phase, it becomes crucial to establish boundaries, provide structure, and teach both you and your puppy the importance of consistency. It's normal for this teenage stage to be tough, and it's essential to remember that you're not doing anything wrong. It's a challenging period for both of you.
Support and Teach from Day One
Imagine if we started supporting and teaching our puppies right from the beginning. That's where our Surviving & Thriving in Puppyhood course comes in. It goes beyond addressing the teenage stage and prepares our adorable dogs for a lifetime of understanding expectations, structure, and boundaries. By enrolling in the course, you can make the teenage stage more manageable.
Puppy or Piranha? Tackling Mouthing Behaviors
One of the most common challenges puppy owners face is puppy mouthing. Puppies often don't know that biting people is unacceptable behavior. Even if your breeder did an excellent job teaching your puppy not to bite, it's crucial to follow through and reinforce the expectation that your puppy never puts their teeth on anyone. This is a non-negotiable behavior in my book, as it ensures the safety and well-being of both you, your dog, and others throughout their entire life.
Mouthing behaviors can be particularly challenging during certain times of the day, which I refer to as the "witching hour." Instead of engaging in a power struggle, it's beneficial to plan a puppy nap or downtime just before those times. By avoiding the peak moments of heightened mouthiness, we increase our chances of success. We still address the mouthing and provide corrections, but managing the puppy with boundaries and structure helps mitigate the issue.
Tiny Puppy, Big Dog: Avoiding Unwanted Habits
Remember, cute puppies grow up, and many become big dogs. It's essential to consider whether a behavior will remain cute when your dog weighs over 100 pounds. For instance, if you constantly pick up your mastiff to get them moving, ask yourself if that's something you'll be able or willing to do as they grow larger. Setting and enforcing boundaries from the start is easier than trying to establish new ones later in life.
As puppies develop behaviors, it's crucial to teach them what is desired and what is not. This includes their eating, sleeping, and relaxation areas, their behavior with guests at the door, potty training, structured socialization, and more. By laying the groundwork early on, you create habits that will lead to a well-behaved and enjoyable adult dog.
The Journey of Puppyhood
Puppyhood is a whirlwind of adorable moments, temper tantrums, giggles, kisses, sharp teeth, redirection, and maybe a few swear words here and there. There will be potty accidents, shenanigans, and bonding experiences. Raising a puppy can be time-consuming and challenging at times, but with time, consistency, and structure, you provide a foundation for your puppy's growth into a healthy and happy dog.
Remember, puppies grow up to become our beloved dogs, our best friends, and cherished members of our families. By investing in their well-being and setting them up for success early on, you pave the way for a happier and healthier future for both of you.
Shannel Guzman Shares her 15 years of experience to help you know what to Expect to help your new BFF transition into your home
Adopting a dog, of any age, from a shelter or rescue can be an exciting time! You’ve been
looking at so many cute faces, read bio after bio and you’ve finally made your decision and
been approved to bring home your newest family member! Then what?
looking at so many cute faces, read bio after bio and you’ve finally made your decision and
been approved to bring home your newest family member! Then what?
Depending on your pet’s previous life and history and where they’ve been living for the last little while, you may quickly realize, that you’ve got your work cut out for you! Many new adopters feel lost, confused about why their pet isn’t matching their bio, are noticing behaviors that weren’t mentioned before, and that joy and excitement can quickly fade. PLEASE don’t let it! As a rescue/foster for 15 years, let me give you some helpful advice on what to expect for the first few days, weeks, and even months of bringing your new fur baby home!
Shelter or Rescue--what's the difference?
Shelters are great because they can house many dogs at once, but oftentimes, this means dogs
are overexcited, overstimulated, not exercised properly, and are surrounded by barking, loud
noises, so many different smells, and a lot of different “energies”. Shelter staff love their jobs,
they do their best to exercise and get to know the dogs in their care, but things can be missed in
this kind of setting. If you adopt from a shelter, your dog will need plenty of patience, to allow
him or her to settle in, calm down, and get rid of that excess energy/emotion, all while learning a new house, new smells, and new routines. If you think it's a lot for you, it's A LOT for them.
Especially because you’re excited! Maybe your kids are excited! Everyone wants to shower the
new pup with love and attention, and that can be scary, or stressful for anyone, but especially
for a dog that can’t verbally tell you.
are overexcited, overstimulated, not exercised properly, and are surrounded by barking, loud
noises, so many different smells, and a lot of different “energies”. Shelter staff love their jobs,
they do their best to exercise and get to know the dogs in their care, but things can be missed in
this kind of setting. If you adopt from a shelter, your dog will need plenty of patience, to allow
him or her to settle in, calm down, and get rid of that excess energy/emotion, all while learning a new house, new smells, and new routines. If you think it's a lot for you, it's A LOT for them.
Especially because you’re excited! Maybe your kids are excited! Everyone wants to shower the
new pup with love and attention, and that can be scary, or stressful for anyone, but especially
for a dog that can’t verbally tell you.
Rescues oftentimes have dogs in “foster homes” this can be great but can have difficulties just
like shelters. Foster homes can be great, because dogs will likely have more consistent
exercise, will already know how to behave in a home, or a fenced yard and likely are
consistently interacting with other dogs, cats, or children that may be living in that home. The
caveat is, my house rules, may differ from your house rules. So there may be rules or behaviors
that you don’t like, that they don’t mind.
So let’s talk about what to expect!
Day One: Whether you have other pets in the home or not, keep leashes on (this is especially
true if there are pets in the home). Walk your new adopted pet around the house and yard.
Remember, they feed off your energy. So practice your breathing! Deep slow breaths, and
slowly take them around. Even if they’re bouncing off the walls, you remain calm. (Hopefully, if
you have pets in the home, your pets have already met, if not, we can address that in another
blog!)
true if there are pets in the home). Walk your new adopted pet around the house and yard.
Remember, they feed off your energy. So practice your breathing! Deep slow breaths, and
slowly take them around. Even if they’re bouncing off the walls, you remain calm. (Hopefully, if
you have pets in the home, your pets have already met, if not, we can address that in another
blog!)
I am sure you have bought every toy in the world for your new baby, that's okay! Have them in a
basket, and let him or her check them out in their own time.
Take it easy! Have day one be a chill day. We aren’t running to PetCo, we are Netflix and chilling.
We are letting our new family member learn our smells, get the lay of the land in a new home, going potty in their new yard, etc. If you have a really overstimulated or higher energy dog, you can repeat this for the first few days.
First Week: If you only need one day or even a few days for your pup to settle in, start with
small walks around the neighborhood, or even a trip to a nearby park. Allowing the pup to smell
all the smells that will regularly be around your home without overstimulating again. Fetch in the yard can start to help exercise your pet, while still bonding this week.
small walks around the neighborhood, or even a trip to a nearby park. Allowing the pup to smell
all the smells that will regularly be around your home without overstimulating again. Fetch in the yard can start to help exercise your pet, while still bonding this week.
The First Month: By now some of the newness has worn off. Your dog has got a good idea of
you, your family, your “home routines” etc. Your “best behavior” and their “best behaviors” are
now starting to settle in. Maybe you are not smooshing and cuddling your dog as much, maybe you aren’t playing fetch as much in the yard; the newness is settling in. This is where things can
start to get tricky. It can take dogs (depending on their history) up to 3 months to fully settle in.
Personalities can change, your rules in your home might differ from what they’re used to, and you aren’t exercising as you did in the beginning. This can cause pups to “act out” or “test their
boundaries”. Similar to a toddler.. Or even a teenager, your dog is going to try things to see
what they can get away with, and what you’ll do.. Or even what you won’t do for the new few weeks to the next few months.
To Train or Not to Train-- I will always highly recommend it!
Obviously, if your new dog is displaying signs of aggression, either with toys, food, or even
possessiveness over you or a family member, please reach out to a trainer and get assistance
before something potentially dangerous happens.
I will always highly recommend any sort of obedience training within the first few months of
adopting. Training not only teaches your dog, but it teaches YOU how to help your dog, as well
as bonds you together. If training is not an option, being aware of physical and emotional
changes is highly important. If they begin chewing or showing destructive behaviors, it COULD
be an indicator that they are bored, and need more exercise, physical or mental. This is where
breed research can really come in hand. Find out what type of exercise “best fits” that breed.
Some dogs need running, others swimming, and others need hide and seek treat games, but
ultimately it is your responsibility to learn your dog’s language and give him or her the best
chance at succeeding in your home.
Empathy--it's a game changer
The biggest thing I can stress with adopting a new family member from a rescue or shelter is
empathy. Remember that your dog may have had a really hard past life, or maybe wasn’t taught
any rules and simply sat in the backyard 24/7. We as humans are lucky because we can speak
and express our emotions to each other. Dogs can not. Remember how frustrating it must be for
them to not be able to tell you, “Mom, you bought me a rubber toy, that feels exactly the same
as this shoe, I didn’t know I had specific toys” or “Dad, the kids used to play with me for hours,
and now I barely get a tummy scratch, I feel sad that I don’t get played with anymore, so I
thought if I took one of their toys they’d play with me again”
Keep your head up! Establish routines, establish boundaries, be consistent, be patient, and
remember they’re learning just like you! No matter their age or yours, you really CAN teach old
dogs (and hoomans) new tricks!
remember they’re learning just like you! No matter their age or yours, you really CAN teach old
dogs (and hoomans) new tricks!
Looking for a new friend?
Check out our local rescues and shelters. They are always looking for amazing people to foster, volunteer, donate to, support, and share! Any Help and love is appreciated!
Shannel Interviewed with me-- Catch the Replay here
Have a rescue you need help with? Let's Chat
Have you ever found yourself facing challenges in forming a deep bond with your dogs?
It's a common experience that many of us go through, and it can be quite overwhelming at times. Let me share a personal story of mine about Skippy, a dog who entered my life during a period of immense change. Reflecting back, I must admit that if I had known what lay ahead, I might have hesitated to bring her home. Skippy was unlike any puppy I had raised before, constantly pushing boundaries and testing my patience. Our initial interactions were filled with conflicts, and I struggled to establish a strong connection with her.It wasn't supposed to be this way
Initially, I had intended for Skippy to be trained as a demo dog for my classes, a role previously held by my beloved shepherd, Billie. My plan was to spend the next two years training them together, with Billie acting as the guiding force. But life had a different plan in store for us. Just two months after Skippy's arrival, Billie received a devastating cancer diagnosis and passed away swiftly. The weight of grief and loss made it even more challenging for me to bond with Skippy. I was still mourning my soul dog, the one who had profoundly transformed my life in countless ways. I wasn't emotionally ready to let another dog into my heart. However, I had made a commitment to Skippy, and despite my reservations, I knew I had to honor it.
As I navigated through the process of training Skippy while grieving, it felt like an overwhelming task. I needed her to be ready for the next season of classes, compressing the timeline that I had initially envisioned. The first year was undoubtedly rough, and while she was a good dog, she wasn't my favorite to work with during demonstrations. However, we persevered and worked together, slowly but surely making progress. It took me a full two years to reach a point where I wasn't merely tolerating my dog.Over the past three years, our bond has evolved and transformed, creating a connection that is entirely distinct from the one I shared with Billie. Skippy has become my calm and grounding companion, accompanying me to work and filling my days with her happy-go-lucky and goofy nature. This is the bond I had always dreamed of, and it was a bond that I fought hard to achieve.
How do we start bonding when we're struggling so much?!
But what about those who find themselves struggling with bonding, experiencing the puppy blues, or feeling disconnected from the dog they were once so excited to bring home? How can we rekindle that connection and build a solid foundation of love and trust?
First and foremost, it's crucial to acknowledge and accept that you are facing difficulties in bonding with your dog. Recognize your thoughts and emotions, even if you don't feel the need to share them with others. By acknowledging your struggles, you free yourself from the burden of keeping it a secret and open the door to starting the bonding process.
Next, try to avoid comparing your current dog to any previous ones you may have had. It's natural to long for your past furry companions and hope that the new dog can fill the void they left behind. However, each dog brings a unique experience into your life, and it's important to embrace that individuality. You can develop a fresh and meaningful relationship with your current dog, one that may differ from any previous connections you've had.
Finding shared activities can work wonders in fostering a strong bond. This may require some exploration and experimentation to discover what truly resonates with both you and your dog. Whether it's playing games, engaging in agility training, or simply being hiking buddies, there are countless opportunities to create shared experiences that deepen your connection. Remember, it's essential to have activities that are separate from your routine interactions.
Lastly, training can be a powerful tool for strengthening the bond between you and your dog. The goal of training is to become the most important and beloved figure in your dog's world. By achieving this, your dog becomes more attuned to your presence, desiring to be with you and fostering a sense of closeness.
In my personal journey, daily training sessions, even when I didn't feel like doing them, played a significant role in deepening the bond with Skippy. The bonding process may take time and happen gradually, without any grand "I LOVE THIS DOG" moments.Building a strong connection with your dog can be challenging, but the time and effort invested are undoubtedly worthwhile. I'm curious to know about your experiences with bonding. How have you navigated through the journey of forming a deep bond with your dogs?
Dealing with a dog that consistently ignores our commands can be a source of frustration for any pet parent. However, understanding the reasons behind this behavior and implementing the right strategies can make a world of difference. By breaking free from the repetition cycle and emphasizing the power of follow-through, we establish a clear expectation of obedience and build a strong bond with our furry companions. Moreover, by shifting the focus away from treats and relying on praise as the ultimate reward, we foster a deeper connection that goes beyond cookie dependency. So, let's take the time to invest in effective teaching, consistent follow-through, and the development of trust. Together, we can enjoy a harmonious relationship where our dogs eagerly listen and respond, regardless of the presence of a treat.
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Getting a new puppy can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it can also bring unexpected challenges and emotions. The 'puppy blues' is a common phenomenon where new puppy owners feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even regretful after bringing their furry friend home. In this blog post, we explore the causes and symptoms of the puppy blues, as well as tips and strategies to overcome them and build a strong bond with your pup.
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