Puppy's Life

Spoiled to Perfection

Ways to indulge your puppy--without going way overboard

When love at first sight strikes, it's natural to want to give your new companion everything his little heart desires! From adorable outfits to loads of toys, today's pup can have it all. The key, say experts, is to learn how to spoil your puppy in smart, healthy ways. Sometimes that means being mindful of not going overboard.

"The thing to keep in mind is, ‘everything in moderation,'" says Lisa Walsh, a pet nurse for Banfield Pet Hospitals. "Rewards are great, toys are great, but like everything else, you need to keep a balance."

That means showing your puppy you love him while at the same time drawing boundaries that are comfortable for both of you. With so many great options for puppies, you might find that you're the one who has a tougher time toeing the line when it comes to stocking up on toys. Your best friend can only handle so many toys at once, so be sure to make choices that won't overwhelm him.

Also, watch your puppy to see how he reacts to the goodies you bring him. Take notice of the kinds of toys and products he likes, and gravitate to those when making purchases. (For example, that terrific tiara for your tiny terrier might not be what she has in mind for strutting her stuff at the dog park!)

"They're like kids. You can go out and buy them the coolest, most expensive new toy–and they might decide they want to chew on the box instead," Walsh points out.

When you do decide to go on a shopping spree, indulge him first with practical gifts, such as soft, plush blankets, a cozy bed, and other necessary items. Today's options make even shopping for the basic supplies a lot of fun. Since many pet stores allow you to bring your puppy with you, you can make an enjoyable bonding adventure out of it. But while you're out there hitting the aisles, try not to go overboard. If you do go a little crazy with the shopping cart, there's still a way to get it under control.

"Give him five toys to play with, and that's going to keep him busy," advises Ann Farmer, a certified pet dog trainer for Courteous Canine in Florida. "Then you can rotate out the toys every week or two. The great thing is that keeps it fresh for the puppy. It's like they're getting new toys every week!"

Life Rewards

Although there are plenty of toys to use as rewards, it's good to develop other positive reinforcements--the kind that strengthens and adds depth to your relationship with your puppy. Going for a walk or playing outside can be a fantastic way to say "good job" and bring the two of you closer.

"Come up with 'life rewards' that don't involve food or toys," Farmer suggests. "Just like humans, different dogs find different things rewarding. A good puppy parent will take the time to figure out what their puppy enjoys, and use that as a reward."

You can use praise and loving words as a reward—your puppy wants to please you as much as you want to please him. And, if your pup has a particular toy that he enjoys, Farmer recommends putting it away after he has played with it, and then later getting it out again as a reward. If you want to double your pup's pleasure, join in the playtime with him. This way, your puppy sees that you're in the situation with him, sharing fun moments together.

"If you just throw a bunch of toys down on the floor and leave your puppy with them, it's not going to be fun for them for very long," Farmer says. "If you don't play with them, it's about as much fun as getting a new sock. Our attention is the best thing we can give them, so get down on the floor and play!"

Walsh echoes that sentiment.

"Your little puppy would much rather play with people than with a toy, and even though it seems like you're 'just playing,' you're also working on valuable social aspects," she says. "Giving them lots of attention and social interaction is helping them develop. There’s nothing better to spoil them with than lots of love."