5 Quick Tips for Saving Puppy Love Memories

Did you know instantly that your dog was for you as soon as you saw them? When I first met Bravo-Dawg, I knew we were meant for each other! Out of a huge litter, he was the only red boy and the smallest at 30 pounds at 12 weeks old. Bravo sat on my lap during the car ride home—and vomited all over me. Yep, we were meant for each other.

Our first few months together flew by. Just like all new dog parents, those early puppy-love days with Bravo were joyous and frustrating, as we introduced him to Karma-Kat (thank doG the cat loved dogs!), and dealt with a pony-size pup. We didn’t know our life together would only last a few short years, so I still treasure all the memories of those early days. And we have a memory garden to honor our pets.

Here are some of the things I did (and some I wish I did) to celebrate those first few months and develop our lifelong bond.

Capture sweet moments with your smartphone

My favorite puppy pic of my dog is with his new puppy friend, Shadow-Pup. The little baby showed up when we humans–and his brother Bravo-needed him most. I’m so glad I got it to remind me of that time.

Shadow-Pup brought the grins back to Bravo-Dawg’s days.

I pray you’ll have many more years together with your furry wonders. Monthly milestone pics of important moments will be precious to you as your dog grows. Puppy faces change to gray muzzles so quickly. Here are some milestones you might want to document — and if you post to social media, you’ll likely get reminders of these fun memories, too.

1. Gotcha-Day experiences.
2. Meeting the other pets (safely, please!)
3. Puppy training classes
4. Meeting the vet
5. Play dates with other dogs, puppies, or kids (again, SAFETY please!).

My biggest tip is to pick out your favs and back up the rest of your puppy pics each month, so they don’t get lost or deleted. Afterward, you can safely remove outtakes from your camera roll so you have plenty of room for new photos and can avoid the dreaded “out of space” message.

Bravo’s first day home!

Set a routine that includes fun and exploration

Routines aren’t just when your pup sleeps, eats, and goes potty. Schedule time for snuggles and fun or a weekly adventure, so togetherness grows as your puppy grows, too.

Shadow-Pup goes outside every morning, and he REMINDS me about every 2 hours that I need a break, too. He keeps me emotionally engaged and healthier by bringing his toys to the office for play sessions. Of course, for new pups especially during house training, you’ll need to schedule frequent potty breaks.

Set aside some intentional cuddle time, maybe during evening TV time. By making routines less “routine,” you and your puppy can infuse joy in more minutes of the day, and set a bond-forming habit for life.

Build a training foundation so you speak the same language

Proper training early on will help your puppy make sense of the world, and you both can bond over those joyful ah-ha moments when you discover you can communicate! As a certified animal behavior consultant, I have access to all the latest training techniques, plus I can call on colleagues for help with challenging issues. I’m a huge fan of clicker training because it teaches puppies (or cats, horses, dolphins, spouses!) to WANT to choose to do the right thing! LOL! An eager learner offers the best possible student.

Having a solid training foundation is vital, and builds puppy confidence, and enriches the bond you share. You and your puppy learn to understand each other is the key to a long and successful relationship.

Adventure together for puppy socialization

Get out there and enjoy life! Weekly adventures help your puppy grow into a happy, comfortable adult, and build your own lifelong habit of seeking out new experiences together.

Have fun, but don’t overwhelm your puppy with too much stimulation or with frightening situations. Pay attention to how your dog is responding to new sights and sounds, and take a break if you see any signs of fear or stress.

Paws are not as tough as you’d think.

Preserve your puppy’s paw print when they are small to compare when they are grown!

I wish I had made paw prints of Bravo’s puppy feet. They weren’t tiny…but they got so much bigger, by the time he reached 126 pounds.

Recording a paw print every few weeks to chart their growth is a fun way to keep track of physical development. You can also use paw prints in art projects or to make keepsakes like holiday ornaments, or a memory box. Be sure you are using a non-toxic medium. You can find kits online like this ink-less paw print option. Or you can cast the paw print for a 3d keepsake. Non-toxic paint works too. Avoid homemade salt-water-flour dough. It can make your dog very sick if they chew up the finished craft.

Take the time to ensure puppy memories aren’t forgotten

Bravo lost his cancer battle at just over 3 years old, and Shadow-Pup now is his age. I still treasure those early months with them together–keeping love alive and everyone smiling and wagging no matter what. I’m so glad I took the time to absolutely fall in love and build a deep connection with all my furry wonders (including Karma-Kat). Most importantly, I’m glad I saved the times we shared in words, pictures and traditions. I wish I’d saved even more of them!

Did you do something else meaningful in the early days that you think more puppy parents should try? How did you capture those puppy moments? Share a comment below or tag me in a Facebook post!  

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!