Do you want to get a puppy??????
If getting a puppy is something you want to do then you need to be realistic about your expectations. Here is information on our available puppies and our future litters if you are still in the planning phase of getting a puppy! Not sure what color you want, take a look here =)
Below are some key points to consider when getting a puppy.
Why do I want a puppy? Is it because I watched 101 Dalmatians, Lady, and the Tramp, or love all the cute pictures posted on Instagram?!?! Well if that is the case, then don’t get one. Puppies are rewarding and cute but they are a lot of work and need consistency, and a long-term commitment to raising, training, and caring for them.
If you have considered your lifestyle and the time needed to properly care for and train a puppy then you need to look at what kind of puppy you want to get. Again, if you LOVE the look of a Siberian Husky but live in a condo in Scottsdale AZ, and live a sedentary lifestyle, then DO NOT GET ONE. You and your new pupster will quickly become unhappy and potentially struggle. Each breed has different wants and needs as well as different levels of activity. Some breeds are high maintenance and need to be groomed by a professional once a month (which adds extra cost to their care) and some only need a quick bath and blow-dry, which can easily be done at home. Do your homework!!
Regardless of what type of puppy you get they all require training. They are like naughty toddlers with really cute faces;) It is hard work but totally worth it if you are prepared and invest in your success with proper training. If you lack consistency, your puppy will not reach its full potential. If you think you can do it without help, you and your puppy will suffer. You can get a great puppy but it is up to you to make it a great dog. Baxter and Bella have a great online training program, with a lifetime membership.
Info from the trainer………..
What level can I expect my puppy to be at in three months?
Puppies are like sponges. They soak up everything they can and want to be wherever you are for the first several months at home. Take advantage of this window to begin teaching solid obedience behaviors and polite manners. While it is not a race to complete training, it is a good idea to start early. The more effort you put into the first three months the happier you all will be as time goes by. Do what you can to rearrange your schedule and make puppy raising your number one priority for the first few weeks. It won’t be necessary forever but it will be worth it!
Take leash walking for example. The first week, your puppy most likely won’t even know what a leash is. We start by letting them drag it around several times a day. By the end of the week, we are walking backward with the puppy on a leash following us and then we simply turn around and begin walking forward. By 11-12 weeks, we treat, treat, and treat every time our puppy looks at us and is walking by our side. A few months later? Yep, loose leash walking. We are still treating at this point, but not like on day one. You can expect a good 100-200 yards between treats.
Want to learn more about how we train our dogs? Our PUPPY PREP program outlines exactly what I do with the pups I train on a daily basis. The hardest part I’m sure will be motivating yourself to stick with it. The tasks aren’t hard, but they must be done for good results. Set a goal to get through one lesson per day. In three months, you’ll be all the way through the program and you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Your puppy will have the obedience and manners to show for it!
Happy Training!
From Amy at Baxter & Bella
