So, you want a quarantine puppy during this offseason part two? Fantastic! Now is a great time to get a dog in my opinion. If I wasn’t at my two dog limit I would be getting a new puppy right now too. Here are my recommendations for before and after bringing home your spring-training-at-home-puppy. 

BEFORE you pick out your new dog:

1. Think about your personality (and your man’s personality). Remember this cute little puppy is a 10-15 year commitment. You want the dog to match YOUR lifestyle. This isn’t selfish, this is setting yourself and your future pup up for a wonderful life together.

2. Make sure to research where you are getting your next dog from. I’m a huge advocate of responsible breeders and reputable rescues. Ask for references from friends, family, and the community about the best places/people to get your dog from. 

3. Take time to pick out the best breeds for your lifestyle. This is especially important in the baseball world. Will you be traveling full time? Think about weight and breed restrictions in the areas you will be living in during the season and offseason. How easy is this breed to train? Do they need constant grooming? How much energy does this breed have? Do you want a couch potato or running partner? Take your time because this is a big decision. 

AFTER you’ve brought them home:

1. Think about your daily life. Are you always going to be around this much? If not, please start training your dog for what life will look like when it goes back to normal or else you will create a dog with severe separation anxiety. In order to do this I recommend crate training your dog.

2. Let your puppy sleep. Puppies need 16-20 hours of sleep a day! But they have serious FOMO issues, so you need to create a quiet spot (the crate is the best option) to put your puppy down for their daytime naps. Make sure they get a minimum of two naps that are around four hours. If your puppy wants shorter naps that is okay, try four naps that are around two hours each if that is the case. 

3. Take them on walks (after they have all their shots). While they can’t “meet” new people right now they can still see other people to get used to strangers. You don’t want a dog that didn’t get to experience the world in its first few months of life. Walk them by all the noises - lawnmowers, cars, kids playing, etc. You are setting yourself up to have a confident dog!

As always please feel free to reach out to me about any and all questions you have. The best way to reach me is on Instagram at @haleygeren or @baseballpups. I’d love to help you pick out your new dog and/or set them up for success in their new home. My first dog, an Australian Shepherd, was in my life before my boyfriend. My second dog, a little mixed breed, has always known the baseball lifestyle. If you need help on transitioning an older dog or puppy I have experience in both.