Setting Ground Rules & Routine : Part 1

“Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single interaction is a training opportunity.”

Consistency and routine are key to setting up your puppy for a life of obedience, good behavior, and success. Wildly varying responses to behavior or changes in routine will only delay, hamper and maybe even prevent your puppy from learning all he needs to, to become a functioning member of your household
We will look at just what you need to do to help your puppy feel safe in his or her routine.
Consistency in Environment
When you bring your new puppy home, he should have all his things set up for him in the places they will go. You can introduce him to where his food and water bowls will be kept, where his bed will be, where his toys are kept, etc.
In terms of your puppy’s bed, it is important that it is in a space in which he is entirely safe and protected. It should be an area of the home without high traffic, and preferably, his bed is in a corner of the room, so he feels walled off and safe from surprises. You can also use a crate.
No one else should spend time in his bed; no cuddling from humans or other pets sneaking in for a quick nap. Dogs like to have one area that is completely their own, like a “den,” and your puppy will feel safer with his very own bed. You can also put a ticking clock near his bed, as this may be like the sound of the heartbeat of his mom or littermates. This may help him feel safe and relaxed.
For food and water, this should go in an area with hardwood or tile, as some puppies and dogs are messy eaters. It should not be in the middle of a room, as this is stressful for a dog. Place the food and water bowls against a wall in a room of your home. Many people prefer the kitchen.
One note about puppies and food is that you do not want your puppy to grow into a food-aggressive dog. This is a dog that is possessive of his food and becomes nervous anytime someone is nearby. As children often have poor boundaries with dogs, an unwitting child could upset a food-aggressive dog and be injured by wandering near a dog when he is eating a snack.
To stop your puppy from becoming food possessive, you should distract him and touch him while he is eating. Roll a ball near him when he is eating, walk by him, pet him, move toward him quickly while he is eating. If your puppy does not respond to these stimuli and remains calm, click and reward with a treat. If your puppy growls or glares at you, do not reward the behavior. Just back off and try to train again at the next meal time.
Another environmental consistency aspect is time. Feed your puppy at the same time every day. Try to have a consistent wake-up and sleep routine for yourself, so he can predict when you will be awake and asleep and follow your schedule.
Remember, a puppy will be a hugely disruptive factor in the normalcy of your life, but the puppy should fit into your life; not the other way around.