I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer
than 1 - 2 hours. I cannot "feel"
that I need to poop until it is actually beginning
to come out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you
that I need to go, and I cannot have "bladder
and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months.
Do not punish me if you have not let me out
for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault.
As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED
to go potty after: Eating, Sleeping, Playing,
Drinking and around every 2 - 3 hours. In addition,
if you want me to sleep through the night, then
do not give me water after 7 or 8 p.m. A crate
will help me learn to housebreak easier, and
will avoid you being mad at me. I am a Puppy,
accidents WILL happen, please be patient with
me! In time I will learn.
I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around,
and chase imaginary monsters, and chase your
feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase
fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is
play; it's what I do. Do not be mad at me or
expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all
day. If my high energy level is too much for
you, maybe you could consider an older rescue
from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial,
use your wisdom to guide me in my play with
appropriate toys, and activities like chasing
a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty
of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard,
talk to me in "dog talk," by giving
a loud YELP, I will usually get the message,
as this is how dogs communicate with one another.
If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few
moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate
chew toy.
I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell,
hit, strike, kick or beat a 6-month-old human
infant, so please do not do the same to me.
I am delicate, and also very impressionable.
If you treat me harshly now, I will grow up
learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked
or beat. Instead, please guide me with encouragement
and wisdom. For instance, if I am chewing something
wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me
a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING
that you do not want me to get into. I can't
tell the difference between your old sock and
your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200
Nikes.
I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings
and drives much like your own, but yet also
very different. Although I am NOT a human in
a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot
who can instantly obey your every whim. I truly
DO want to please you, and be a part of your
family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because
you want a loving partner and companion, so
do not relegate me to the backyard when I get
bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead
mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training
into the kind of family member you want me to
be. I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I
know you are not perfect either. I love you
anyway. So please, learn all you can about training,
and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your
Veterinarian, books on dog care and even researching
on the computer! Learn about my particular breed
and it's "characteristics," it will
give you understanding and insight into WHY
I do all the things I do. Please teach me with
love, patience, the right way to behave and
socialize me with training in a puppy class
or obedience class, we will BOTH have a lot
of fun together.
I am a Puppy and I want more than anything
to love you, to be with you, and to please you.
Won't you please take time to understand how
I work? We are the same you and I, in that we
both feel hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort,
fear, but yet we are also very different and
must work to understand one another's language,
body signals, wants and needs. Some day I will
be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be
proud of and one that you will love as much
as I love you.
Love,
Your Puppy
