What to Expect From Your New Pup

Everyone loves and wants a puppy, but do you really know what you're getting into? We all think we know what to expect, but the time comes when you never realize just how much work it is until you experience it. “It’s a dog. How difficult can it be?” is a phrase you hear often. The answer is: it can be very difficult. As a trainer who specializes in puppies and has owned dogs for the past 14 years, I will fully admit that I did not know just how exhausting, frustrating, yet fulfilling it would be to bring home a 9-week-old puppy.

In the days leading up to bringing your new pup home, everything is full of excitement and preparation. At this point, you’re coming up with all these future plans in your head, thinking about how great your puppy will be, and my personal favorite part: the puppy-prep shopping. Anticipation grows by the second, subconsciously creating high expectations for your new dog. Maybe you’ll compare it to a late dog you’ve owned or met, or maybe you’re just being optimistic. Either way, be sure to go into it open-minded.

Day one comes around, and your new pup is typically going to be shy, quiet, and snuggly, as the world they once knew has changed entirely. Your home is a brand-new place with new smells, new people, and none of their littermates around. It takes a while for them to open up and show their true personalities. Once the puppy has been home for a few days, that’s when the true puppy traits begin to show.

From 8 weeks old until about 4 months, a puppy is similar to a newborn baby, needing constant attention, potty breaks every 30 minutes, and close to 20 hours of sleep per day. However, it is a newborn baby with razor-sharp teeth that runs at full speed and destroys your furniture and carpets if you’re not careful.

This phase then turns into the 4-to-6-month “toddler phase.” This is where I see puppy owners tend to lose hope and have second thoughts. I hear, “They won’t listen!” “Why is he/she biting me?” and “They’re so hyper and stubborn!” from nearly every puppy owner I work with. They often expect perfection from a young puppy that is still learning about the world. As frustrating as it is, they are just babies at the end of the day. We wouldn’t expect a 2-year-old child to immediately know not to do something, so why would we expect a puppy to? It takes time, consistency, and firm boundaries.

I also see lots of owners comparing their puppies to one another, almost like a competition over whose puppy is better behaved. I see this in families who have had other dogs in the past as well. Remembering that your puppy is its own individual, and also new to the world, makes a huge difference. Focus on your dog in the present moment, not on what you think they should be.

Owning a puppy can be difficult, but just remember that a seemingly naughty puppy can turn into an incredible dog. Staying consistent and maintaining firm boundaries is key, as is keeping realistic expectations. Stay positive, but stay realistic, and remember: it does get better. Enjoy the puppy stage because it doesn’t last forever. One day, you’ll look at your dog as an adult and forget about the hard times it took to get there.

-Kurstyn Armbruster