If you have decided to adopt a puppy it will be essential for you, if you have not already thought about it, to learn the ABC’s of dog language.

In the BOOKS section of this portal you will find some titles that will surely help you to understand  how dogs communicate through body signals and movements, sounds, smells, and touch .

Many times we are unwittingly led to treat the puppy like a child. This is a mistake and it has to absolutely be avoided.

Your new companion, in fact, belongs to another species and has completely different needs and ways of interacting from ours.

It will seem trivial what I am about to reveal  you, but dogs do not think in the same way as humans do.

Their logic is based on the principle of action and reaction. The dog will be led to repeat or exclude from implementing a certain type of behavior in relation to the positive or negative consequences that will arise from that behavior.

It will therefore be your task, through a path of education and training, to reinforce and gratify all those actions and behaviors you like. You will also have to intervene and correct all those behaviors that are not pleasant to you and that in some way interfere with a healthy and serene coexistence within the family nucleus.

To get started on the right foot,contact a good professional who can follow you and your puppy in your education and training path.

Do not wait for any behavioral problems (barking, separation anxiety or aggression) before going to a valid dog training school.

Relying on a competent and professional figure will help you lay down the foundations of a happy and complete relationship with your bouncing bundle of fur.

Initially you will have to structure your days keeping in mind what your puppy’s needs are.

Taking time to be together during the day is of fundamental importance for building a healthy relationship with your puppy.

My experience leads me to recommend preferring, in the first weeks, walks in natural environments such as parks or woods, avoiding the puppy stressful itineraries in urban environment or in very busy and unsafe dog (off-leash or on-leash) areas from a sanitary point of view.

Within the family unit, the puppy must find a reference, a real Leader.

This means that all the members of the family, even in your absence, must follow and enforce specific rules useful for a healthy coexistence with the puppy.

Many times I have found myself helping dog owners with familiar situations where the leader was not present or was challenged by the adopted puppy or dog . This is a problem not to be underestimated, the mixed pack that welcomes the puppy must always act patiently and consistently according to the guidelines of their Leader or pack leader, a term that is very fashionable lately.

This does not mean that the only one to be listened to and respected by the puppy will be the leader, on the contrary, everyone will be able to establish their own intimate relationship with the newcomer and will find themselves having to fulfill the role of reference in the moments of the day when the leader does not will be present or for other reasons will not be able to deal directly with the management of the puppy.

If you don’t know how to do it, learning to play with your puppy is essential and so prepare to acquire this skill.Playing is about building a positive relationship and will make it easier for your friend to canalise , in the right way, his energy.

Playing is very important for a puppy’s development, as it provides physical exercise and  mental stimulation , while also improving the bond between the puppy and his owner&family members.

Puppies start to play with their mothers when they are around one month old and these seemingly innocuous games develop the coordination and muscles of the dog, plus it helps to teach them important skills that enable them to become a social and well-balanced dog. Puppies naturally learn how to inhibit their bite when playing.

Playing with your puppy makes him more social.

Playing with a puppy for me is a divine moment, it requires sensitivity, technique and passion from the conductor.

If you want to get in touch with your puppy’s heart, learn to amaze, excite and surprise him.

Remember that the moments you will spend with your puppy are unique and you will no longer be able to relive them with him.

Another aspect that you will have to keep in mind will be related to the choice of the game: materials, consistency, dimensions, will be some of the characteristics that you will have to take into consideration when buying a game.

From the first weeks, habituate your puppy with short periods of time by himself.

Based on his character, skills and genetics, schedule moments in which he will be able to progressively experience your absence. This will be of great use in avoiding behavioral problems or separation anxiety when will happend to be by himself, for a few hours during the day.