Yes, sometimes problems can arise from spending too much time with your dog. This is because they can become dependent on your company and become increasingly demanding. To keep your relationship healthy, and for a well-behaved dog that you will love even more; you can make sure interactions are on your terms.
Many experts agree that a minimum of 2-3 hours of active interaction and engagement is appropriate for puppies. That may not really sound like a lot given it's only 8-12% of the total hours in a day. But keep a couple of things in mind: Puppies need between 18-20 hours of sleep which accounts for majority of the day.
In general, the minimum amount of interaction time for a puppy to be happy and healthy is two to three hours per day. This will give you enough time for training, play, cuddling, and feeding.
It may seem like it's a natural skill, but puppies need to learn how to be alone, and it's a gradual process. Generally, puppies work their way up from being under constant care and supervision to being trusted and comfortable being on their own over the course of an eight-hour workday over time.
How will I know if I'm over-exercising my puppy? Your puppy is unlikely to show any obvious signs of being over-exercised until damage has been done to their joints, which is why it's important to regulate them. Watch them on walks and get them to rest when they show any signs of being tired.
Turns Your Dog Into A Person (Instead Of A Dog)
There is nothing wrong with cuddling and playing with your new puppy, but try to limit picking them up. Continually holding your dog can make them begin to feel as though they are human and can encourage behavior that causes dominance struggles within your home.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Mental stimulation is important for all dogs, but If you have a very intelligent dog, it is even more important to keep your dog entertained. This is especially true if you have a working-breed who doesn't have a 'job' to do.
Modified 5-Minute Rule
One of the most popular answers to how long a puppy should exercise per day is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice a day. This means an two-month-old puppy should get 10 minutes of exercise twice a day. This is a good starting point, but not all dogs are the same.
To keep your puppy healthy and happy while you're away, follow this general rule: Puppies younger than 6 months: Leave them alone for 2 hours max at a time. Puppies older than 6 months: Leave them alone for 4 hours max at a time.
When you first bring home a puppy, usually at around 8 weeks old, take her out every 30–60 minutes for the first week or two. This will help to prevent the puppy from peeing in the house and also help her get used to going to the bathroom outside.
If possible, plan to take time off work – at least for the first week when your new puppy arrives. This will allow you to establish a bond with them and will help limit the possibility of them becoming anxious whenever you leave them alone.
It is okay to have feelings of regret about getting a puppy. It doesn't make you a bad person and it doesn't mean you shouldn't have your puppy. Feeling inadequate as a pup parent is quite common, but luckily there are things you can do to help with those feelings!
While it's only natural to want to embrace your loved ones, it's not always a good idea to hug your canine friends. "Hugging is a form of handling, and handling can lead to fear, anxiety, and stress in some dogs," says Dr. Vanessa Spano, DVM at Behavior Vets.
Staying in a crate helps reduce the risk of accidents and also keeps your puppy safe and secure when no one is around. Keeping your puppy in a crate is a temporary solution. Puppies that are a few months old or more might not handle being in a crate for several hours at a time.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
Unfortunately, puppies don't just grow out of separation anxiety. If you leave it untreated, it will likely just get worse, and it certainly won't get any better! However, thankfully, it's not too difficult to treat and just takes a little TLC and training.
What are signs of overstimulation? Biting or being snappy is one of the signs - others can include barking, chasing their tail or spinning and being hypervigilant.
Common overtired puppy symptoms include: A sudden burst of energy and having a lot of energy it results in things like the “Zoomies”, crazy eyes, an increase in biting, and often an inability to listen. It could even lead to a lapse in potty training, short bursts of massive energy.
In general, letting your dog on the furniture is unlikely to cause problems, behavioral or otherwise. Dogs love to curl up on the sofa, the bed, and anywhere else that's nice and soft. They also like to spend time in their humans' favorite spots.
Your puppy needs exercise, but walking too much can be harmful for growing dogs. Too much exercise, or “forced exercise,” can overtire your puppy and potentially damage developing joints. So, what counts as “over-exercise?” According to vets, anything beyond what your puppy would engage in with puppies their same age.