Raising a puppy can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be a big challenge for both new and experienced dog owners. The goal is to provide your puppy with a safe environment, but you can run the risk of becoming overprotective.
To help your pup develop into a happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult dog, The American Kennel Club offers a few ways to keep your new puppy on the right track.
• Don’t play too rough. Puppies love to play, but they also need to learn the appropriate level of rough play at a young age. Your puppy needs to learn good manners when it comes to playing with other people and other animals. If you let it play too rough when it is a puppy, it can become a bad habit in its adult years.
• Don’t overdo the treats. As much as those puppy-dog eyes may make it hard to say no, you should limit the amount of treats you give the pup. Treats can alter your growing puppy’s appetite for nutritious, better-balanced meals. You also don’t want to spoil it. Don’t let your puppy get the idea that by begging, crying and acting out, it can get its way.