How Will You Greet The Day?
Good Morning Sunshine!
Or is it?
A few extra minutes for yourself in the morning can make a big difference in how your day goes. If your morning routine with the new puppy is starting to get you down read on.
You Need Your Time and Your Puppy Needs His
If there are periods throughout the day where you feel overwhelmed with the new pup take the time to take stock of each particular situation. Make a plan and get organized so you can avoid the stress. Learning how to set yourself and your pup up for success is time well spent since it makes you feel better.
What Is It Time For?
Let’s look at some situations and define whose time it is.
After pup’s morning bathroom break crate him with a delicious chew or food stuffed toy, my favorite for this is the Toppl Treat toy by West Paw. Put a bit of the pup’s breakfast in along with some other type of higher value food.
Now you’ve created some time for yourself to have a coffee, stretch, check your email. Whatever it is you want to do when you first get up.
Your puppy has had a bathroom break, some love and a stretch. Back in his crate for 15 or 20 mins while you wake up is not a problem. In fact you are doing right by the pup providing structure if you are not supervising. Bonus!
Meal and kid time are other examples of when you are focused on something other than your pup.
These times can be high energy or stressful already. The addition of a rambunctious puppy makes it a big old mess. This is family time and or meal time. Crate your pup with a ‘high value’ food stuffed toy or chew.
High value is a very important consideration. Your pup HAS to love what’s in his crate. If he doesn’t it’s up to you to experiment with food, toys and chews to find a combo that WORKs for this purpose.
Check out our Toytorial for inspiration.
Eye On The Prize
A puppy will demand your full attention and patience when you have him with you. Be prepared for this.
One of the most helpful things you can do is have a PLAN for the puppy when he is out of the crate.
Set specific times in the morning and throughout the day to spend FOCUSED on your puppy. Playing, training or romping. The key word here is focused. All your attention should be on him. Not half an eye. The half an eye approach spells disaster and this is where people get stressed and the pup can get frustrated or confused.
When you take that puppy out for a romp that’s HIS time. You should be prepared with food, toys and TIME for your pup.
Meander with him. Engage him. Have a plan for your outing. Check out our leash and long line training plan here.
Finding A Balance
Quality time for yourself and for your puppy is the goal. With a bit of practice and forethought you will find this balance. Happy puppy raising.
