Coexisting happily with your new pup

(FOX Providence) - When a new puppy joins the family, it can be both a lot of fun and a lot of work. The Rhode Show gives you some tips to help make the transition a little smoother.

Jenna Pelletier of the Providence Journal and Heidi Palmer McNeil of Pooch Pawsitive have written an article on how to make the adjustment of adding a new four-legged friend to the family an easy one.

“About a month ago, our family actually adopted our first puppy, and we quickly realized we had a lot to learn, so my editor actually suggested writing an article about it,” says Pelletier.

McNeil offers plenty of strategies for new pet owners, including prevention and reinforcement.

“Usually the behaviors that are occurring are natural dog behaviors. In their natural environment, puppies are going to chew and gnaw and bite because that’s what puppies do...they’re teething until they’re around six months.”

McNeil also explains that puppies will go to the bathroom wherever they want in the house because in the wild, there are no designated bathroom areas. “Part of what we’re teaching them is they’re little doggy behaviors are not so cool in our human world, we have all kinds of rules…they have to learn what the rules are.”

When it comes to your pooch’s chewing habit, McNeil suggests giving your pet chew toys so they can get it out of their system without ruining your brand new shoes. “A lot of times, puppies are nipping and biting and chewing because they have to, so I want to teach them what to chew.”

Puppy-proofing your house by picking up all your shoes, wires and other items you don’t want your dog chewing on. “If it’s on the floor, it’s fair game.”

Pelletier also offered some tips on puppy-proofing your home. “An expert recommended getting on your hands and knees and crawling around your house, seeing your home from your dog’s perspective. Standing up, we don’t notice a lot of things that could be potentially harmful to the dog.”

For more tips on how to puppy-proof your home, check out Pelletier’s article in this Saturday’s Providence Journal, in the Décor section. Also be sure to visit poochpawsitive.com for more information on training your pup.