Puppies are a lot of work. Coming from a mother of two, I am the first to admit that having a new puppy in the home shares some similarities with having kids. Human babies have different developmental stages from infancy, baby, toddler, school age, to teenager. There are different things to expect with each age increment. For humans we develop very quickly at different stages, but slower at other stages. For puppies some of these stages are overlapping and happening at the same time. Puppies grow at a much faster rate, so within just a few months you go from having an infant to a teenager. Just when you conquer one milestone, another one is thrown at you.
Let’s sit and think about it.
No sleep– Depending on the age you first bring your puppy home, you may need to wake up a few times at night to take your puppy out to go potty. Potty training is rough, but with consistency it all pays off in the end. This can mean your neighbors are going to get used to seeing you in your slippers and PJs in the late and early hours.
Teething– They need to bite on everything. And at times it seems like everything except what you give them. They are in pain and uncomfortable, and easily fussier. The need to explore the world with their mouths is all too familiar of a time kid or pup.
House full of toys– No matter how much you clean you are bound to step on a squeaky toy. Guests come over and there’s no hiding it, a dog lives here.
Growth Spurts– Leave them at school, with a sitter, or maybe you are just gone for a few hours, but you swear they are bigger than when you last saw them. This means adjusting collars, harnesses or purchasing new ones. It can also mean more sleep is needed and without that can come the tantrums.
Tantrums– Whining, barking, sometimes pouting and not wanting to move. Whether they are frustrated or wanting to do something else they are bound to happen. Not getting enough sleep can most definitely cause your pup to be more fussy and with puppies that often means they may use their teeth. Growing puppies need about 18 hours of sleep a day, sometimes more!
So, because puppies are a lot of work, wouldn’t it be great if we start a trend to help support our friends and family who are expecting a new pup? I propose the idea of a Puppy Shower! With my first child I had a baby shower, my friends and family threw me a party and gave me wonderful gifts that really helped with the things I needed for my son. It was wonderful because I was then more prepared and less stressed because I had already collected some of the things I needed to survive having a new little one.
Maybe we don’t have to throw entire puppy showers, but the idea of providing support and giving gifts with the things they may need can be helpful. This is something I have already started to do with friends and family who get a new puppy. Having experienced it myself, sometimes the cost of things blindsides you and it can really add up. So giving even just a little gift with supplies they may need can help them to be better prepared for their fur baby.
Here are a few things I have included in my puppy shower gifts:
Chews– Bully sticks, pig/ cow ears, no hide rawhide, hooves and more. We know puppies go through teething, and if they can have the appropriate things to chew on from the start, it can help prevent unwanted teeth marks on our tables and chairs.
Toys– Shopping for toys is so much fun! I like to include a variety of textures and sounds to not only help aid in puppy teething but also socialization.
Enrichment Feeders– Kongs, Wobblers, slow feeders and more, there are endless different types of fun interactive feeders. This is a great opportunity for the puppy to work for their food and use their natural abilities. It also provides a great opportunity to keep them busy and quiet.
Gift Cards– To pet supply stores, a coupon to pay for a puppy class, even a fun homemade ticket to offer to pet sit so they can have the evening off can be a great gesture. I have also given gift cards to their favorite coffee shop (puppies can be exhausting, they may need the extra caffeine to keep up).
Books– I cater this to the owners, but a go to book that I feel all dog owners should have is Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide To Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin. Here are a few other great books that could be helpful to any new puppy owner:
Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind: A Parent’s Guide to Controlling the Chaos by Colleen Pelar second edition.
Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It by Marge Rogers and Eileen Aderson
Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
With these gifts also come the fun conversations of things to prepare for and what to expect. As a trainer I have definitely offered my friends and family advice, but the biggest piece of advice I have ever given was to start training right away. So if they are searching for a group class, boarding or day care, in home training or just the basics, we can help them get off to a great start, so have them give us a call!
