Regular followers of our ELE Instagram will know that about 12 months ago we welcomed a new addition to the ELE family, a beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. While she has made the sweetest addition to our lives we have learnt some great tips and tricks along the way to help ensure a smooth transition.
1. Research, research, research – finding the right canine personality fit for your household is crucially important. Before you make any commitment, research the right breed for your family. It is no good getting a large, energetic breed that requires two hours of exercise a day if you are working long hours or prefer a quieter, more sedentary lifestyle. Talk to friends, family or colleagues about their pets or visit your local dog park and chat to other dog owners.
2. Make sure everyone in the household agrees on the basics- where the dog will sleep at night, what it will eat, who will train the puppy and the general house rules. This is our number one tip, it is no good if one household member wants to spoil the puppy and let her sleep on the couch while the rest of the household is actively trying to keep puppy off the couch. Having upfront, agreed house rules will make it better for everyone, including the dog!
3. Be prepared to feel a little uncertain when the puppy first arrives home. It is a big change having a new household member and will take some time for everyone to adjust, particularly if it is the first time that you have owned a pet.
4. Be patient – it can take a while for some puppies to get the hang of toileting outside, or how to sit, stay and rollover but be patient, consistent and firm with training – even if it means you are up twice a night taking puppy outside to pee.
5. Don’t be afraid to outsource some help and budget for it just in case. With busy lives it may help to organise a very reputable local in-house dog minding service to assist for those times when you are working late or can’t be home – an added bonus will be that it will help your puppy develop crucial social skills. Once the puppy is old enough, puppy play dates are also a great way to socialise your dog.
6. Enjoy the crazy puppy days – like babies, puppies grow up so fast and before you know it you will have a full grown dog in the home who likes to spend most of their days sleeping and eating, not unlike teenagers!
Let us know your thoughts below or to see how puppy Ellie has grown visit the ELE Instagram.
So cute! We also need to have a lot of patient to train them. 😊
Sure do!
You picked a cute one!
Thank you x
She is adorable!!! I have an 8 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and they are the best dogs!!! Love your puppy pics!
Thank you! Aren’t they just the most beautiful dogs!
They really are! Your pictures make me want to get a puppy! 🙂
That pup is so cute
Thank you, she is cheeky too!
OMG look at that face!!! Absolutely adorable!!!!
Thank you!
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