Newfoundland Puppies: 10 Tips For Taking Care Of Them

The Newfoundland is a very large, strong breed of dog. This dog was originally a working dog for fishermen. Due to their strength, intelligence, and the fact that they are very strong swimmers, they were able to pull the nets. They were also used to haul wood for loggers in the forest. Today, these dogs make excellent family dogs. They are very sweet and loyal, and they are very patient with young children. If you are planning to adopt a Newfoundland puppy, you should know how to properly care for and train this breed of dog.

Walking on a Leash

Because these dogs are so large, you are going to need to always walk him on a leash. It is important that you start training him to walk on a leash at a very young age. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to teach him. You should make sure that the leash is loose and keep your dog in front of you. To get the dog moving, give the leash a pull and then release. When the dog starts walking on his own, praise him and give him a treat. You should understand that it will take time to get your dog used to walking on a leash, however, the more you work with him, the sooner he will be able to it with no problem.

Teaching Respect

Like a child, your Newfoundland puppy will try to see how much he can get away with. It is very important that you make him understand who is boss at a very young age. You should start working with your dog with simple commands such as “down” and “stay”. The best time of day to do this is when he is getting tired. When he obeys your commands, you should give him a treat or give him praise. If your dog doesn’t listen to your command to sit or stay, use the dog’s leash as a teaching tool. You can use the leash to hold him in place and to lower him to the floor to lay down. Over time, you won’t need the leash anymore and your dog will do these things on command.

Biting

It is not uncommon for puppies to bite. It is important, however, that they stop biting by the time they are 10 to 12 weeks old. After this age the biting is no longer about being a puppy, it is more about control. If your puppy is still biting after this age, you should sit down with him on the floor and have your puppy sitting in front of you faced away. Start petting your puppy. If the starts biting, you should gently hold his mouth shut and tell him no. You should continue to do this each time he bites so that he knows who is the boss. Puppies at this age will still feel the need to chew, therefore, you should make sure that he has a bone or a chew toy.

Grooming

The Newfoundland has very thick, very long hair. In order to keep you dog looking and feeling good, you are going to need to groom your dog often. This means that you will need to comb him every day. Most puppies don’t like to be combed, therefore, you may need to hold his mouth if he tries to bite you while you comb him. You should also bathe your puppy frequently. If you get him used to the grooming process at a young age, you should groom him often.

Cut the Nails

When your puppy is young, you should cut his nails every 10 to 14 days. Some dog owners are uncomfortable when it comes to cutting their dog’s nails. It can be difficult. If you are not comfortable using dog nail clippers, you should consider using a grinder. It will grind down the nails without causing any damage. If you aren’t comfortable with cutting your puppy’s nails, you should take him to the groomer every two weeks to have it done. If the puppy’s nails get too long, it can get become painful for the puppy to walk. If you get your puppy into the habit of getting his nails regularly at a young age, he should handle it well when he gets older.

Feeding

When your puppy is young, you will need to regulate his food intake. This type of dog will eat everything in his bowl whenever it is full. If you notice that when you are putting the puppy’s dish on the floor and he is trying to eat before you put it down, you may not be feeding him enough. The best way to know how much your puppy should be eating is to watch him eat. When he lifts his head from the bowl, he is full and you should take the bowl away. As your dog gets older and bigger, he is going to need more food. If you are still unsure about how much food your dog is going to need, you can discuss the feeding guidelines with your vet on the first visit. It is important to keep your dog from getting too skinny or too fat. Controlling his portions is very important.

Exercise

Because your puppy is going to grow a lot in the first year, you should get your dog and yourself used to a regular exercise regimen. If you have a fenced in yard, you can let your dog run around in the yard, however, he will still need to go for a walk. This breed of dog will need at least 20 minutes of vigerous exercise each day to keep them healthy.

Sleeping

Your Newfoundland pup is going to need a lot of sleep. This is the time that your puppy is going to grow. It is important that your puppy has a quiet place to sleep when he gets tired. When your puppy has a designated sleeping area, he will continue to use this area as him main sleeping area always.

Barking

Barking can be a very serious problem with your dog if you don’t nip it in the bud early. If your puppy starts barking for no reason, you can use a water bottle. If you spray your dog in the face with the bottle when he starts barking, it will make him stop. It might take time, but if you are consistent, he will break this bad habit.

House Training

You want to housebreak your dog as early as possible. If you slack on this part of his training, it can result in some really serious messes as the dog grows. You need to start by taking the dog outside several times a day and praising him when he goes outside. If necessary, you can put your dog in a crate while you are out of the home, however, this is not a permanent solution. It is important to understand that housebreaking your Newfoundland pup won’t happen overnight, however, if you stick with it, soon, there will be no more accidents inside.

A Newfoundland pup can be a great addition to your family. As long as you know what to expect from your dog and how to train him, he should fit in well with your family.