Creating a Puppy You Can Live With

A puppy’s temperament is somewhat predetermined by the genes he inherits from his parents and grandparents.A Well-bred Bichon should be happy and content if he is properly cared for, with a playful attitude and a trustful nature.Even the best-tempered puppy can be ruined if care is not taken to handle him properly.Here are some suggestions that may help you to keep a happy puppy.

Most breeders will keep a pup with his litter and his Mom until he is between 10 and 12 weeks of age.This is to allow him to learn first to be a dog among other dogs, the key to finding his proper place in the world.During this time and his departure to his new home, the breeder will spend a lot of time socializing the pup and helping him to learn to be a dog among humans.He will feel grass under his feet, he will have toys to play with, and will spend some time alone in his crate to learn to be without his family.His house training will begin and his natural instincts will teach him to keep his home unsoiled.

The new owner needs to follow through on the lessons begun at his first home. Exposure to new situations and new people will continue. It is up to a new owner to see to it that these are enjoyable experiences. A puppy may seem aloof when he first sees a new human. The human should get down on his level and let the pup come to him rather an to grab up the pup. This is especially true when the new human is a child. Sudden moves can be scary, even to a mild- mannered puppy.

Children should also be taught that the crate is the pup’s private place and that a puppy who goes into the crate on his own to rest should be allowed to do so. A puppy must never be disturbed while he is eating and some owners may find it practical to place the puppy in the crate with his food bowl. This allows him to eat undisturbed and enhances his feeling that the crate is his personal den.

One of the best things you can do for the new puppy is to enroll him in an obedience class. Sometimes called Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Manners these classes usually welcome enrollments as early as 3 months of age, if the puppy has had his shots. Obedience training for older pups and adults starts usually as early as 6 months of age. Look for a class that uses positive reinforcement and not punishment in its training.

Positive reinforcement is the method of choice in teaching your Bichon at home. When the puppy is doing the correct thing, whether it is eliminating outside or quietly greeting visitors at the door (i.e. not barking and not jumping on them), offer praise and possibly a tiny treat. Teach him something else to do, such as ‘sit’, ‘down’, or ‘stay’. These techniques are all taught in puppy and obedience classes. Whenever he is doing something that is a good thing, let him know it by praising him to the extreme with lots of ‘good boy’ or ‘good girl’s.

Teasing a puppy has caused many a happy pup to become a biter or to be fearful of humans. Teasing can be taking away a toy that the pup is enjoying, it can be interfering with eating, it can be pinching or poking at him, or any other physical annoyance. Young children are especially prone to sticking fingers in those big dark eyes or pulling on fluffy ears. Often, they see the pup as another stuffed toy ‘ much to the discomfort of the poor pup!

Chasing a dog appears aggressive to the dog and will teach him to run away from you. If you chase the pup, he will continue to run, either from fear or thinking it is a game. Running away from your puppy is not a good game either. Better yet, drop to your knees and call him toward you. Call his name and do so in friendly rather than mean voice. A higher pitched voice is considered friendly to a dog while a deep voice is used to correct mistakes. Again, obedience training will help avoid these situations because a trained dog will come, sit, go down or stay upon command.

Bichons do not make good home alone dogs and may become barkers when left alone for long periods of the day. If you cannot be home to spend time with a pet, you probably are not ready for a puppy in your household. Older Bichons may tolerate being alone better than pups. When you do have to be away occasionally, perhaps someone can come in during the day to play with the puppy and to take him out to relieve himself. Be sure the pup is left in a secure area with toys and drinking water available. Never chain a Bichon or even fence one outside all day long. They are not bred to be yard dogs and this would be considered abusive, will lead to behavioral problems and quite possibly endanger his health.

Dogs do best when they live with a routine. You will find they will adjust be weekend schedules very easily but will be happier and healthier with a daily schedule. Ask your breeder’s advice about feeding regiments, treats and toys. Daily exercise can be worked into his playtime as part of the routine but a young pup does not need vigorous exercise as his immature skeleton and muscles are developing.

With the information provided, we hope you are off to a good start in creating a happy puppy who will fit into your family with ease. The Bichon is bred to be a companion animal and his family will mean everything to him and he to you. His world will be safer, your relationship better, and his security greater with the proper socialization and training.