Puppy Adopter Quiz Question Title * 1. What is your most URGENT priority with your new puppy and why? Teaching my puppy to walk without pulling, so that we can enjoy our walks. Teaching my puppy to pee and poop outside only, so that he doesn’t start having favorite inside spots. Teaching my puppy to not pick up my socks and the kids’ toys, so that he knows what his toys are and what he cannot touch. Question Title * 2. How do you MOTIVATE your puppy to eliminate outside? By praising him. By giving him delicious treats. By letting him play outside AFTER going potty, if he loves being outdoors. All of the above, the ultra-delicious treats, right after puppy finishes, being the most important. Question Title * 3. How do you PREVENT accidents indoors? By watching my puppy’s every move, and when he squats down, rushing him outside. By placing pee pads all over my puppy’s playpen Neither of the above: waiting until my puppy is squatting down is too late, and putting pee pads everywhere does not teach my puppy anything. Instead, I will only give my puppy freedom when I KNOW he is not going to pee. For an 8-week-old puppy, this may mean 1. trips outside every 30 minutes, or 2. putting my puppy in the crate (where he holds it) after the 30 minutes for a little while longer and then taking him out. Increase the time gradually; aim for zero accidents. Question Title * 4. When should I put my puppy in the CRATE? When he was naughty. When I want him to hold his pee a little longer. When he is ready for a nap. And at nighttime. The only time I will crate my puppy is when I am leaving him alone in the house. Question Title * 5. What should I do when my puppy PLAY-BITES? Mark the moment of nipping with either a loud sound or a word like “Done!,” then demonstratively withdraw my attention for 30 seconds. The moment my puppy nips, I will present him with a toy and play with him. Clamp my puppy’s mouth shut and hold it. Push my puppy away with my hands repeatedly. Question Title * 6. How do I get my puppy’s RESPECT? Let him know that I am the Alpha by being stern, and, when needed, alpha roll him. Be consistent, set limits and reinforce them. Also, demonstratively ignore my puppy when he is pushy, such as barking at me, nudging me, or jumping on me. Set the agenda by starting and finishing play time, petting time, etc. instead of allowing my puppy to demand my attention. Do not indulge my puppy by having dozens of toys for him everywhere, allowing him on furniture, and entertaining him all the time. Don’t act goofy and playful. Question Title * 7. What is PUPPY SOCIALIZATION? Teaching my puppy to play with other dogs. I will be taking my puppy to a dog park to play or enroll him in day care ASAP. Socialization to children is important. I will let lots of kids pick up my puppy and hug him tight, so he gets used to this. Socialization is controlled, positive experiences. My puppy needs to be comfortable and happy in different environments, used to loud sounds, various surfaces, things on wheels, friendly with a ton of people of different ages, races, ages, as well as with dogs and other pets. I need to be an advocate for my puppy and make sure he is not put in a situation where he is overwhelmed or uncomfortable. Finally, I can help him overcome his momentary fears by a positive tone and lots of treats. Question Title * 8. When should SOCIALIZATION start? Only after my puppy got all his shots. When my puppy is a calm adult dog and I can trust him not to make me look like a fool. Socialization should have started at about six weeks! In any case, I need to do a lot of safe, positive socialization after my puppy gets settled into our household, which will take a few days. Places to avoid until the second set of shots are where lots of other dogs pee and poop; also, no meeting strange dogs of unknown health issues. Question Title * 9. Should I enroll my puppy in PUPPY CLASSES? Yes Yes Yes Done