Puppy Advice

[Logan]

We don't need this because we are all animal lovers. Too bad the ones who need to see it probably won't!!! But I thought you might enjoy it. It is kind of long. Sorry.

I am a Puppy, This means that my intelligence and capacity for learning are
the same as an 8-month-old child.

I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I
explore and learn about the world.

Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths. It's up to you to guide me to
what is mine to chew and what is not.

I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1-2 hours. I cannot
"feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come out. I
cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot have "bladder
and bowel control" until 6-9 months. Do not punish me if you have not let me
out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault. As a Puppy it is wise to
remember that I NEED to go potty after: Eating, Sleeping, Playing, Drinking
and
around every 2-3 hours in addition. If you want me to sleep through the
night, then do not give me water after 7 or 8pm. A crate will help me learn
to housebreak easier, and will avoid you being mad at me. I am a puppy,
accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me! In time I will learn.

I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary
monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase
fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do not be
mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day. If my high
energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider an older rescue
from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to
guide me in my play with appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a
rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip
you too hard, talk to me in "dog talk", by giving a loud YELP, I will usually
get the message, as this is how dogs communicate with one another. If I get
to rough simply ignore me for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an
appropriate chew toy.

I am Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a
6-month-old human infant so please do not do the same to me. I am delicate,
and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I will grow up
learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beaten. Instead, please guide
me with encouragement, and wisdom. (For instance, if I am chewing something
wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me a toy I CAN chew) better yet, pick up
ANYTHING
that you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between your
old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your 200$ Nikes.

I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings, and drives much like your
own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit,
neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your every whim. I
truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family, and your life. You
got me (I hope) because you want a loving partner and companion, so do not
relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but
instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of
family member you want me to be.

I am a puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect either. I
Love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training, and puppy
behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books on dog care and
even researching on the computer! Learn about my particular breed and it's
"characteristics" it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do
the things I do. Please teach me with love, and patience, the right way to
behave and socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class, we
will BOTH have a lot of fun together.

I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you, and
to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I work? We are
the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort,
fear, but yet we are also very different and must work to understand one
another's language, body signals, wants and needs. Some day I will be a
handsome dog, hopefully one you can be proud of and one that you will love as
much as I love you.

Love,
Your Puppy.

<May be posted, Reposted, cross-posted and used with permission as long as
credit is given. © 2000 J. Ellis- Southern Shadows Rottweilers

[sammi]

That really says it all. Would be nice if every new puppy went home with a copy of that. Thanks for sharing it.

[Angels3]

That's brilliant, Logan. Thank you so much for posting it. I agree that a copy should go along with each puppy to its new owner. I'm glad that you included the section that says it can be reposted so long as the source is acknowledged. I think it's one of the best 'dog things' I've seen for a long time.

[Pam]

Logan what great advice! As the "mommy" of probably the youngest pup to post here, I think that says it all. I agree that it should be printed out and given to everyone who brings a puppy into their life!

[This message has been edited by Pam (edited March 14, 2001).]

[*BaSim*]

I let my grand ma read that because she just got a 9 week old maltese first they got rid of it because she couldnt take care of it peeing everywere and then she missed it and now have it again and are surly to keep it

[RachelJ]

Thanks for posting this, Logan. I just sent it to a first time ever dog (puppy) owner.

[karlicat]

That's a great letter for anybody, even non-puppy owners. Thanx for posting it!!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

That is the best description of a Puppy I have ever read. It surely should be given with each new puppy or to anyone adopting any dog.