Did you just get a new puppy and now say, “Wow, a puppy is a lot of work?” Or “I haven’t had a puppy in a long time. They sure do bite a lot.” Join the club: a puppy demands a lot of effort and attention. This is a bit like having a new baby; both require significant work. But both are very enjoyable and will bring you years of joy—and some grief, too!
I’m not suggesting that you treat children and dogs the same way. Dogs tend to listen better. However, it’s amusing how we do certain things with an infant that we consider cruel for a puppy.
When you come home with a new baby, you have a crib or a safe, comfortable place for them. But when you bring home a new puppy, some people think it’s not kind to put the puppy in a crate, allowing it to wander and relieve itself wherever it wants. Why is that? Don’t you want your puppy to feel secure?
Of course you do. But it will cry and whine. Yes, it will. Did your new baby come home and peacefully sleep in their crib without crying? No, of course, not—unless you have a miracle child. Eventually, babies learn to fall asleep, albeit sometimes taking years. A puppy learns much faster. The crate is a secure space, and after only a few days, a puppy typically learns not to cry or whine. In fact, many puppies come to enjoy their crate as a cozy retreat and resting area. It is also an excellent tool for potty training.
Speaking of potty training, did you let your infant crawl all over the floor without a diaper? Well, unless you want to diaper a dog, I’ve seen that done, and it’s not a great idea. A baby needs a diaper, while a puppy needs a schedule to visit their potty area regularly. When you first get that pup, take it out every hour. You can gradually extend that time to every couple of hours as it matures.
How long does it take to potty train a dog? Sometimes, it could take up to a year, but that’s rare. Just like children, every dog is different. I have one grandchild who was potty trained at 2, while another is also 2 and shows no interest in learning.
Now let’s discuss giving a puppy a free rein of the house. When your child was under a year old, did you allow them to explore everywhere, chewing on electrical cords or putting anything they could find in their mouths? Certainly not! You wanted to keep them safe.
So, they were either in a swing, in your arms, in their crib, or in a playpen. Why not protect your puppy and your home in the same way? While it’s not an infant, it’s still a baby that can get into more trouble much faster. And remember, they aren’t wearing diapers!
So, what do you do? There are several safe ways to protect your puppy and your home. For one, you can keep it crated with plenty of toys to play with, just like you would with an infant. You can put up gates to contain it in a specific area.
You could also use an exercise pen to keep it confined, like how you’d use a playpen for your infant, complete with toys and chewable items. Puppies teethe just like infants. Of course, unlike children, puppies start with razor-sharp teeth that can inflict considerable pain on any body part that crosses their path.
A puppy is incredibly fun, and I take great joy in watching them play with my other dogs—and you will, too. Just remember, babies need protection, nurturing, and training. If you provide that, you’ll have an excellent companion for years. Oh! And they won’t talk back, ask for the car keys, or keep you up all night wondering where they are.