Bonasa Flats Kennels - Puppy Parenthood

The Three "P's" of
Puppy Parenthood

If you're a first-time GSP owner, the basic steps you need to follow when buying a puppy can be grouped
together with “The Three P’s of Puppy Parenthood” – PREPARE, PLAN, and PERSIST.

PREPARE yourself, your family, and your home for your GSP puppy.

Read up on the breed to understand GSPs and what they need from their owners.

Learn about the

history of the breed, their temperament and psychology, and their exercise, diet, and health care

requirements.

Learn what it takes to introduce a puppy to its new home.

Understand how proper introduction and

socialization are critical to setting a good foundation for a well-mannered dog later on.

Learn what it takes to successfully train a GSP.

Understand the critical phases of a puppy’s

development and how puppy training, obedience training, and field training eventually build on each

other as a dog matures.

Double-check your desire and commitment to owning a GSP.

Make sure that you know what you’re

getting into and that everyone in the family is in agreement when it comes to owning a dog.

Do your research on reputable breeders.

Use a variety of sources such as the Internet, dog clubs,

hunting clubs, and other dog owners to find trustworthy breeders. Then screen those breeders until

you find the one who is committed to working with you to get you the puppy you want. Know that

selecting a breeder, a litter, and a puppy can and should be a fairly long and detailed process.

Study up and get the proper equipment and supplies you’ll need for your new puppy.

Get a dog

crate, collar, lead, a high quality puppy food, bowls, toys, and other training items before your puppy

comes home.

PLAN to make your new GSP puppy a member of your family.

Take

some

time off when your new puppy comes home.

To bond with your puppy, spend as much

time as possible with it early on – handling, petting, playing, and making it feel at home.

Determine the boundaries and limitations that you will place on your dog.

Start to gently teach the

puppy what it can and can’t do in the house. The sooner the puppy begins to learn his boundaries and

limitations, the easier it will be for you to reinforce them later on.

Make sure everyone in the family is on the same page.

Everyone one in the family needs to be aware

of what the puppy’s boundaries and limitations are and apply them consistently. If somebody allows

something, but somebody else does not, it’ll only confuse the dog and cause frustration for the family.

Find a good veterinarian and know when you’ll have to take your dog in for routine health checks

and vaccinations.

Forming a trusting partnership with your vet goes a long way to maintaining the

health of your dog throughout its life.

Determine how far you want to take your dog’s training.

Develop training goals for your dog and

commit yourself to attaining those goals. Know if you’re shooting for just a well-behaved companion or

if you want a polished gun dog. In order to get somewhere, you have to know where you ultimately

want to end up.

Determine how, when, and where you’ll train your dog.

Once you know what needs to be done to

train your dog, make a plan to get it done and then stick to it. The only way your dog will ever achieve

what you want from it is if you take the time to do it and do it right.

PERSIST in your efforts to develop your dog to its full potential.

Be consistent with your commands and corrections.

Know which one word commands you’ll use,

when to use them, and then stick to those throughout the dog’s life. Don’t use the pup’s name for

negative reinforcement.

Be consistent in your training program.

Dogs learn incrementally through repetition. Keep obedience

training sessions short and frequent – preferably two or three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. Field

sessions are longer depending on the age of the dog and the nature of the lessons being taught. Always

start a lesson formally and end on a positive note with lots of praise and “sweet talk.”

Be patient with your dog.

Sometimes dogs have bad days. If they seem to take a step backwards in

their training progress, call time out, and go back to a simpler lesson tomorrow. Have faith that you’ll

catch back up and then move forward again the next time out.

Be committed to their exercise, diet, health care, and safety needs.

Your dog relies on you for

everything and you owe it to the dog to deliver on your promise of ownership. The dog’s undying loyalty

and affection are what you get in return.

Maintain a benevolent but clear dominant alpha status with your dog.

You and your family are the

dog’s “pack” and your dog needs to know where it falls within that pack order. Don’t misinterpret

maintaining dominance through corrections as being overly harsh on the dog. Dogs are much happier

when they know clearly where they stand in the pack order & what’s expected of them.

Be loving, affectionate, and appreciative of your GSP.

GSPs are very responsive to positive

reinforcement so give them lots of petting, praise, and “sweet talk” when they do something well. If you

consistently praise for doing little things well, they will be more likely to do the big things well too.