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Bringing home a new puppy is a very exciting time, but it also can be a bit challenging. This will be the first time your puppy is away from all of his or her litter mates and it will take him some time to adjust to his new environment. One of the most important things to remember is it will take time! Don’t expect your new addition to know your routine the first day, ease them into your busy life, starting with a few activities at a time. There are a few things that can make this transition easier for you and your puppy.

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Mental Stimulation- Provide your puppy with a lot of mental stimulation, they have busy minds, that are eager to learn. Puppies will get bored and can become destructive if they have nothing to keep them busy. Provide a variety of toys and chews to occupy them, switch out toys often so they don’t get bored with them.

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Exercise- Poodles love to run and play, they are not meant to be cooped up all day. While they are happy to snuggle on the couch, it is important to provide plenty of exercise for your new puppy. Your poodle will enjoy going to the park, playing fetch, hiking, and going to the lake with you.

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A safe environment – Puppies need a place to feel safe and secure. A crate can be an excellent tool for training and for providing comfort, keep in mind a crate is NOT for punishment. Crates provide a den for your puppy, a place that is their own. The crate should not be too big for your puppy, only big enough for them to lay down comfortably. If the crate is too large they may use part of it as their potty area, and part as their sleeping area.

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Boundaries- Just like children, puppies NEED boundaries. They need to learn and be shown what is allowed and what is not. Letting puppies have no boundaries will only create a defiant and challenging dog. It is easier to teach the correct behavior than to fix bad behavior and habits. CONSISTENCY IS KEY- if there is something your puppy is not allowed to do, DON’T Let them do it! If they are not to be allowed on the couches, don’t think that its ok when they are a puppy but then you wont let them as an adult.

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LOVE- Your puppy needs to feel loved and that you are their pack leader. You are the leader and need to provide the guidance and security to make your puppy feel comfortable and part of the family! When your dog trusts you and trusts that you provide a safe environment for them they will trust you when you take them out and about, or to then vet. Don’t take advantage or your puppies trust and put them in a dangerous or traumatic situation, this will create anxiety and mistrust.