Puppy Essentials
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting milestones for any dog lover—but it also comes with a bit of prep work. Just like toddlers, puppies are curious, energetic, and love to explore everything with their mouths. Puppy-proofing your home before their arrival is a crucial step to ensure a safe and smooth transition.
Why Puppy-Proofing Matters
Puppies don’t come with an off switch. They’ll chew, climb, sniff, and tug their way through your home if given the chance. Taking time to remove hazards, secure valuables, and create safe spaces protects both your belongings and your puppy from potential danger.
Essentials for a Puppy-Safe Home
Here are some key areas to focus on when puppy-proofing:
Use Baby Gates
Keep your puppy out of off-limits rooms and block stairways or areas without supervision.
👉 Rollick Dog Playpen - This playpen is very versatile and can be used indoors and out.
👉 Foldable Exercise Pen with Door
👉 Regalo Walk Through Baby Gate
👉 Regalo Plastic Extra Wide Gate
Cover Electrical Cords
Chewing on cords can be life-threatening. Cord covers or cable organizers are a must.
👉 Cord Protector
Pick Up Small or Fragile Items
Shoes, kids’ toys, houseplants, and other low-lying objects should be moved or stored safely.
Create a Safe Puppy Zone
Set up a crate, playpen, or gated area with a comfy bed, safe toys, and potty pads to give your puppy a secure place to rest and learn boundaries.
👉 Midwest Crates are my go-to.
👉Best waterproof, non-slip pad - I highly recommend!
Final Thoughts
Puppy-proofing isn’t just about preventing chewed-up shoes or broken vases—it’s about creating a structured, safe environment that supports positive behavior from day one. With a little preparation (and the right gear), you’ll be ready to welcome your new pup with confidence and peace of mind.
Housetraining Your Puppy
Housetraining is one of the first big milestones in your puppy’s life—and while it takes patience, the right tools and consistent habits can make all the difference.
Start by establishing a predictable routine: regular feeding times, potty breaks after meals, naps, and play, and trips outside every couple of hours. Puppies thrive on structure, and consistency helps them understand what’s expected.
One helpful tool is a bell training system—a string of bells hung on the door that your puppy can learn to ring when they need to go out.
👉 Dog Doorbell
Another key tip: keep eyes on your puppy at all times. If you can’t supervise directly, tether your puppy to you with a lightweight leash clipped to your belt loop.
👉 Hands free leash
This prevents sneaky accidents and gives you the chance to catch early signs that they need to go (sniffing, circling, whining).
Crate training is also an essential part of the housetraining process. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping space, so a correctly sized crate encourages them to “hold it” until their next scheduled potty break.
👉 Midwest Crates
If outdoor potty trips aren’t always possible—like during the night or in an apartment—you can use puppy pads as a temporary backup. Just be sure to place them in a consistent spot and transition away from them as your puppy gains control.
👉 Leakproof pads that can be used to cover rugs or furniture
And when accidents happen (because they will!), clean them thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors and prevent repeat offenses.
👉 Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator
With a thoughtful routine, a few key tools, and lots of praise and patience, your puppy will be on the path to potty success in no time.
Understanding Puppy Behavior: Setting Your Puppy Up for Success
Bringing home a puppy means embracing a new rhythm, a little chaos, and a whole lot of learning—for both of you. Tibetan Terrier puppies, like human babies, are still figuring out the world. They thrive on routine, structure, and gentle guidance. When they chew your slipper or bark during naptime, it’s not mischief—it’s just part of being a puppy.
Consistency Builds Confidence
Plan a simple, flexible routine for feeding, potty breaks, naps, and play. Puppies feel more secure when they can predict what’s coming next. Keep in mind, though, that your puppy will have off days—especially when overtired or overstimulated. Be ready to adjust as they grow and change.
Smart Breeds Need Mental Workouts
Tibetan Terriers are intelligent, curious, and tuned in to their people. They do best when given ways to learn and engage their brains. Incorporate enrichment activities like puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, busy balls, and lick mats into their daily routine to help channel their energy in positive ways.
👉Snuffle Mat
👉 Premium Silicone Lick Mat
👉 Outward Hound Puzzle Ball
📘 Recommended read: “Clever Canine Solutions” by Julie Hindle
Chewing: A Natural (and Necessary) Habit
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and chewing helps relieve teething discomfort. Having a variety of safe chew options on hand is essential—but not all chews are created equal.
Avoid rawhide of any kind—it can swell when wet, get lodged in the throat or digestive tract, and become a life-threatening emergency. Instead, try:
- Himalayan chews – long-lasting and fully digestible
- Split antlers – tough but safe when sized correctly
- Bully sticks – highly valued but rich in protein, so offer in moderation
👉 EcoKind Premium Gold Yak Chews
👉 WhiteTail Naturals Split Elk Antlers
👉 Bully Bunches Odor-Free Bully Sticks
Be cautious with rope toys—if strings are swallowed, they can cause dangerous intestinal blockages. If you use them, only do so under supervision. And don’t forget to rotate toys and chews regularly to keep things fresh and exciting.
More Safe Chew & Enrichment Ideas
In addition to traditional chews like Himalayan treats, bully sticks, and antlers, stuffed and frozen Kongs are one of my top picks for safe, engaging chewing. They’re durable, reusable, and mentally stimulating—all while being gentle on growing teeth.
You can stuff a Kong with a mix of your puppy’s kibble, plain yogurt, pumpkin purée, or mashed banana and freeze it for a long-lasting, soothing chew. It's a great way to keep your puppy busy during crate time, when guests come over, or anytime you need a hands-free moment.
👉 Kong Puppy Binkie
👉 Kong Classic
👉 Bullibone Nylon Dog Chew
Other safe options to consider:
- Frozen carrots – simple, inexpensive, and soothing for teething
- Beef trachea or collagen sticks – digestible alternatives to rawhide
- Rubber chew toys – like West Paw or Nylabone, designed for safe solo play
👉 West Paw Treat Dispensing Toy
👉 Collagen Sticks for Dogs
Remember, always supervise chewing at first until you know how your puppy handles a particular item—and rotate options regularly to keep their interest high and prevent overuse of any one type of chew.
Training With Kindness
Tibetan Terriers are emotionally sensitive and incredibly responsive to their humans. They do not do well with harsh corrections, yelling, or punishment. In fact, negative tactics can cause them to shut down or lose trust. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement: reward good behavior with praise, treats, or play to encourage your puppy to repeat it.
Final Thoughts
Your puppy is learning how to live in your world—and that takes time, patience, and empathy. With thoughtful routines, mental stimulation, safe outlets for natural behaviors like chewing, and gentle guidance, you’re not just raising a well-behaved dog—you’re building a strong, trusting bond that lasts a lifetime.
Exercise & Outings
When it comes to exercise, Tibetan Terriers tend to be relatively low-maintenance—especially compared to high-energy working breeds. They enjoy daily walks, playtime, and their beloved “zoomies” in the backyard or around the house, but they don’t require hours of intense activity to stay happy and healthy.In fact, too much exercise too soon can be harmful to a growing puppy. Their joints and bones are still developing, so it's important to avoid high-impact activities like running on pavement, jumping off furniture, or climbing stairs excessively during their first year. Short, gentle walks and supervised play are perfect ways to meet their needs while protecting their developing bodies.
Safe Gear for Walks
Start with an extra-small collar or adjustable puppy harness that fits comfortably but securely. While collars are helpful for ID tags and quick outings, I recommend only using them during supervised walks. When worn constantly, collars can get caught on things or cause matting around the neck, especially on a TT’s longer coat. Rolled leather collars are great for avoiding matting around the neck.
👉 Coastal Pet Circle T Leather Dog Collar
👉 ShawnCo Essential Dog Harness
When it comes to leashes, avoid retractable leashes, especially with puppies. These can encourage pulling, reduce your control, and have been linked to serious injuries for both dogs and humans. A standard 4- to 6-foot leash gives you better control and helps establish good leash manners early on.
👉 ShawnCo Dream Walk Dog Leash
🔗 Why retractable leashes can be dangerous
Why I Avoid Dog Parks
While socialization is important, dog parks can be risky—especially for small or young dogs. Unpredictable interactions, unvaccinated dogs, and rough play can lead to injury or lasting fear. Until your puppy is fully grown and confident in various settings, it’s safer to arrange controlled playdates with well-matched dogs or enroll in a reputable puppy class.
🔗 Read more about the risks of dog parks
Final Thoughts
Your Tibetan Terrier doesn't need hours of vigorous exercise—but they do need daily opportunities to move, sniff, explore, and bond with you. With a little planning and the right gear, you’ll meet their needs while protecting their physical and emotional development. A happy, well-exercised puppy is a calmer, more content companion—and that’s good for everyone.