The first weeks
The first 20 weeks of your flat coated retriever puppy life are the most important of his entire lifetime.
A properly socialized puppy will grow up to be a confident and stable adult who will be a pleasure to live with and a welcome addition to the family and surrounding neighbourhood.
The importance of socialization cannot be emphasized enough. Research on canine behaviour has proven that puppies who are not exposed to new sights, sounds, people and animals during their first 20 weeks of life will grow up to be timid and fearful, even aggressive, and unable to flourish outside of their familiar home environment.
Socializing your puppy is not difficult and, in fact, will be a fun time for your both. Training your pup to walk on a lead goes hand in hand with socialization, so your puppy will be learning how to walk on a lead at the same time that he’s meeting the new things.
A dog is a big commitment, so before you take your new flat coat home, make sure you’re well prepared. Decide who’s going to be the primary boss, so that he learns to respect one particular member of the family as his leader.
To avoid confusing the pup, make sure you decide where the dog will sleep, and which rooms the dog will be allowed in.
1.Stock up on the right supplies.
Buy some of the basics ahead of time. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Crate / or bench as it is called in Dutch.
- food and water bowls
- food and maybe some treats for training. Try to get the same food your pup’s been eating as a sudden switch in diet can upset his stomach.
- collar and lead
- bed
- toys, especially chew toys
- possibly some baby gates to block off sections of your house
2. Prepare your house.
Pups can be champion chewers and have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t! Create a temporary, gated-off living space for your dog or pup, where she can’t damage your belongings
or eat something that will make her sick. She’ll stay in this area whenever you’re not with her to prevent her from having house training accidents. A crate / bench is a perfect solution for
this.
Pick a room that’s a centre of activity in your household, so your dog won’t feel isolated, and be sure it’s one with easy-to-clean floors. The kitchen is often a good choice; you can block it off with baby gates if needed. Make sure you remove anything that you don’t want chewed on or soiled.
3. Find a good training class.
Group obedience classes are great for bonding with your new dog and for learning how to communicate with and train your dog. They’re especially recommended for young puppies, since they give pups
a chance to get comfortable being around other canines and people–a key part of raising a safe, friendly dog. There are also special retriever classes which can be followed from a pup onwards,
this is to be recommended as the flat coats love learning how to retrieve from an early age.
4. The first weeks at home.
During the day, the pup will investigate his crate (bench) which is his new den and sleeping space. Line the crate with a soft towel or blanket that he can snuggle into and gently place him into the crate for the night.
He will probably whine or cry. The puppy is objecting to the confinement and the fact that he is alone for the first time. This can be a stressful time for you as well, but don’t give in too easily, within a few nights, he will have settled in and will like his new home, and his bench will be his territory.
6. Feeding the pup.
The young pup’s body is very small, and so it his digestive system. His daily portion will be divided up into small meals a day, decreasing the number of meals as the pup matures. It is generally thought that when the dog is matured enough, dividing the day’s food into two meals on a morning/evening schedule is healthier for the dog’s digestion and for bloat prevention.
Regarding the feeding schedule, feeding the pup at the same times and in the same place each day is important for establishing the dog’s everyday routine. As for the amount to feed, growing puppies generallly need proportionately more food per body weight than their adult counterparts, but a pup should never be allowed to gain excess weight. Keep in mind that treats, although small, can quickly add up throughout the day, contributing unnecessary calories. Choose treats that are specially formulated to be healthy or nutritious snacks like small pieces of cheese or cooked chicken.