Dear Critter Corner: We are first time dog owners and will be bringing home our pup in a couple weeks. We want to set everyone up for success, what tips do you have for first time owners like us?

Congratulations on your new pup! This is an exciting time and it’s great that you are thinking ahead.

Here are some starting points, it’s a good idea to get the whole family involved in the process. I first recommend that you set some rules and boundaries for the pup. This can include where they sleep, eat, kept when alone, and if they will be allowed on furniture to name a few. It is much easier to have strict rules to start and then lighten up as go.

Work on name recognition and focus. We want our pups to respond to their name no matter what, so get started the moment you pick up your pup. Say their name and the second they look at you or in your direction, mark that behavior with a ‘Yes’ and then follow with a treat. If they are not responding or you have changed a previously given name, you can mark and treat them anytime they look at or in your direction and then build from here.

Teach them to wait at doorways. This will help with those that like to dash through doors at any chance they get. You can ask your pup for a ‘Wait’ and then open the door to allow them out to the yard, but before they go through the door, give a release cue like ‘Okay’ or ‘Free’ and then allow them through. If they try to barge through, simply close the door and start over.

Teach your pup to ‘Sit’ for almost everything, especially for greetings. This will help teach your pup to not jump on you or your guests, an important skill to have. To start you can ask your pup for the sit and then give them some chest and chin scratches. If they get up or try to jump, pull your attention away and ask for the sit again. You will soon be on your way to having a well-behaved pup.

Lastly look at our website to see the resources we offer in the form of Classes, 1:1 Consultations, or you can call our Behavior Hotline.

Tasha Suda is the Lead Dog Trainer for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Behavior Department. For more information, please visit www.phs-spca.org, call 650-340-7022 or email tsuda@phs-spca.org.