Bringing a new puppy home? Setting him up for success is key - BC SPCA
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Bringing a new puppy home? Setting him up for success is key

January 1, 2017

Imagine being brought into a new, big home with a ton of things to smell and explore… and to chew on.

When you bring a puppy home, it’s important to remember that everything is new to him, says Kim Monteith, BC SPCA manager of animal welfare.

“For your puppy, everything is new – he may have never heard a dishwasher or TV being turned on before, or experienced a vacuum cleaner,” Monteith says.

“We have to remember that they’re puppies – they’re going to smell everything and chew on pretty much everything, because they’re puppies.”

Rather than yelling or saying ‘no’ in a stern voice if your puppy gets into something he shouldn’t, Monteith suggests distracting them with a favourite toy or treat, and lure them away from the temptation.

“Never leave a puppy unattended – we want to set them up for success, so they can’t get into things they shouldn’t or chew or swallow things they shouldn’t,” Monteith says.

“You’re asking for trouble if you let a puppy have free run of the house! And it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

Get more helpful pet care tips in our FAQ section.