I Play With My Puppy Each Day?

He might run around your house, nip at your toes and hands, lick you excessively, whine because he wants you to throw a toy, and scratch at the door so he can go outside. when you bring home your new puppy, his energy levels are going to be incredibly high.

At this stage, you want to make sure your new puppy is getting enough attention and playtime as he needs. Then, he will feel fulfilled and start to calm down a little bit.

By determining your puppy’s needs for playtime at this stage, you can ensure he’s going to be content and satisfied in his new environment.

Playtime should a new puppy have

​A good rule of thumb is that a puppy needs five minutes of exercise/playtime for every month of age up to twice a day until he is fully grown.​ Therefore, a three-month old puppy would need 15 minutes of exercise per day and 20 minutes when he is four months of age. They can go out for a lot longer once they reach maturity, which is around a year for smaller breeds and a year-and-a-half to two years for larger breeds.

If the five-minute rule isn’t working for you, then have playtime with your puppy for at least 20 minutes a day, and then take him out for 20 to 30 minutes of exercise​. You’ll want to break up the playtime so that he is mentally and physically stimulated throughout the day.

Your dog may need more exercise if he is a high-energy breed, like a Jack Russell Terrier, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Poodle, Beagle, or German Shepherd. Also, if your dog is running around, whining, scratching at the furniture, or otherwise seems restless, he could need more playtime.

How to play with new puppy

You’ll want to show him that it’s not OK to bite you or anyone else. Make sure everyone in your household knows that hands are off-limits for puppy playtime.

Additionally, you can get him some new toys that are squeaky, balls that roll around, toys that you can hide peanut butter in, and ropes and play fetch with him. Make sure you buy new toys that are designed for puppies and not adult dogs, or else they could be dangerous to your pup. It’s good to keep some toys on the floor that your pup can play with when he likes. He may also lay them at your feet to show you he’s ready to play.

Emphasize puppy socialization early on

Early on, you’ll want to safely introduce your puppy to other people, sounds, sights, and smells, using positive reinforcement to help him have pleasant associations with all these experiences. You can play with your puppy in different areas of your home, and make sure they get in some playtime outside as well.

Then, once he has been fully vaccinated, you can emphasize socialization with other dogs by taking him to puppy classes, when you are both ready, the dog park. Make sure that when you go to the dog park, you’re taking him into an area with only small dogs. Also, watch how he’s interacting the entire time and see how other dogs are reacting to him. If they are growling or seem aggressive, you’ll want to take him out as soon as possible. Avoiding bringing his toys and treats into the park, as they may cause fights.