Confidence in your own abilities. And when it comes to socializing and training your puppy, practice makes perfect. This is not only the case for you, but for others as well.
What is my everyday life like?
You manage your family, possibly in addition to your job, check on the elderly neighbor next door. Needless to say, planning is important to get an overview and avoid nasty surprises. In order to do justice to everyone, it is simply advisable to deal with the circumstances beforehand and to name clear priorities.
I don't want to elicit private secrets from you. It is important to me that you think about how you can integrate your puppy and later your adult dog into everyday life. This is how you can shorten educational paths. We can often combine the dog walk with the way to kindergarten. If we go out with the (adult) dog anyway, we can put on our running clothes right away. If we take the kids to gym or music class, we may not have time to drive home to let the dog out before we head to the gym and grocery store ourselves. So it makes sense to just take the dog in the car with you. Next to the music school is maybe a great park where we could go for a walk.
One thing is certain, you have a new family member who, like maybe your children at the moment, is dependent on you. Your children grow up and fledge. Your dog always remains in a dependent relationship.
.... and with a dog?
Since you have decided to have a puppy, at first it will seem like you suddenly have another child. Your puppy needs constant attention. He finds everything very interesting ... and unerringly finds your most expensive shoes to play with or your children's favorite toys to break them with lots of fun.
So you might have the feeling that you have to run after everyone a bit exhausted - and you're still often too late. There definitely comes a moment when you're missing a hand because you need both for your children. But you also have your puppy with you...
You will also have to deal with your children's disappointment. Children may not know that a puppy sleeps a lot, is easily overwhelmed and doesn't yet know that he mustn't snap his hands. Your children probably imagine that they can play non-stop with the puppy and that it is always in a good mood - a real cuddly toy. But you will overcome all these challenges and your children will learn to understand. Trust in your abilities. You already rock household, job and children. Your new family member will fit just as seamlessly into your everyday life.
Replan your everyday life so that you think in short episodes and with foresight.
For example, have your shoes ready at the entrance so that the puppy can be brought out the door quickly. Stock up on paper towels and cleaners . If your puppy throws a crying fit, practice meditation, just like your children do. When I do the laundry, do I take the little puppy with me? Is there another person who can take care of him during this time?
Otherwise, it's a good idea to take him outside for a moment so he gets tired. Then you put him in his place. While he can "safely" process his sensory impressions there in his sleep, you have the opportunity to take care of the mountains of laundry (as one example of many in the household).
If walking to daycare is still too far for the clumsy little fellow, then it is better to leave it at home (especially if you need both hands for your children) or you have the option of carrying it part of the way.
In general, it makes sense to take a few days off when the puppy moves in. So if possible don't pick up the puppy from the breeder on Sunday afternoon and everyone leaves the house on Monday morning. Gives you the opportunity to all get used to each other in peace. You can remember a rule of thumb for the walks: For every month of life you can walk your puppy for five minutes at a time. Then he needs a break. As always, exceptions are to be expected.
What does the puppy want from us?
Sometimes a change of perspective is worthwhile: Good rearing can have many definitions. And we humans usually mean well. However, a do-gooder does not always do good deeds just because he meant well. It is important to look at what your puppy understands by good rearing. Because your new family member is a dog - and not a human. For this reason we must not humanize him, but should respect him for what he is: a magnificent being called Canis Lupus Familiaris.
- A good rearing from the puppy's point of view often looks different at first than we would expect. Our puppy is primarily looking for the security of its former litter family. This security was defined by fixed rules, fixed times and fixed reference persons.
- Good rearing from the puppy's point of view also provides for enough rest. This little being has to process so many incredible experiences. Butterflies, Barbie dolls, high heels, Aunt Erna, the neighbor's dog, the dishwasher - all of that is completely new - and very exciting. In order for our puppy to be able to remember everything well and to link everything together, its brain needs a lot of sleep.
- From the point of view of the puppy, good rearing also requires a person who gives it security (i.e. also physical closeness) and patiently explains the world.
- From the point of view of the puppy, good rearing also includes species- appropriate food . Expensive does not automatically mean good, but cheap is usually "cheap". Get advice from a nutritionist or your breeder. A good diet means your puppy will grow up healthy. A dog with strong bones and well-developed muscles is less prone to injury and illness.
