Puppies 101 - How to Care For a Puppy
Paws Are GoodBefore bringing a puppy into your home it’s essential to know how to take care of a puppy. Raising a puppy is little more work than bringing an adult dog to your home. Whether you are getting a puppy first time or have little experience with adult dog, today’s post will help you get an idea about raising a puppy and make fun memories.
You will have to put more energy and provide perfect care including emotional support to your new puppy. It means giving enough time, nutritious food, clean drinking water, and the opportunity to live in a safe home.
Dog care is a big responsibility, and dog ownership isn’t something to take lightly, however, the following tips will help you to successfully build a bond of love as well as trust with an important new member of your family.
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Find Your Ideal Puppy
Is there anything as cute as a puppy? Make sure to keep your new puppy cuteness in check, as it can override the best sense and also long-term training success. Brace yourself and do not allow your heart to rule your head. Consider which breed is greatly suited to your lifestyle. Factors involve your working hours, family situations, and your energy levels.
Think about:
- Can a giant breed squeeze into your smaller apartment?
- Will a puppy barking disturb the neighbors?
- Be honest or draw up a list of your dog’s ideal characteristics.
Puppy Proof the house
Your house is an adventure playground for your puppy. Puppy proof your house to protect the new puppy as well as save your belongings.
You must consider to stowaway all chewable objects that may be swallowed. Make electrical cabling safe behind furniture and cover the cables.
Also, make sure to block access to rooms where puppy pee and poop can cause damage. You will have to be cautious until your puppy is potty trained.
When you know that you have completed puppy proofing house, then for final review get down to the floor level yourself. Inspect from an eye view of a puppy under the sofa and in all of the places you do not see. This can sound a bit silly, but it is a perfect way to ensure you did not miss anything.
New Puppy Supplies
Like a new baby, a new puppy comes with a shopping list. Rather than a crib, you need a crate and things like a dog bed, food and water bowls, and a collar and leash.
Things you need for a puppy include:
- Dog bed: Get 2, one to use as well as one as a fill-in when the first requirements to get washed
- Bowls: Stainless steel, water bowls, ceramic, and food
- Toys: Select proper dog chew toys that puppy cannot swallow
- Cleaning supplies: household gloves, disposable paper, disinfectant
- Crate: To help with potty training and safety when your puppy is unattended.
- Treats: A important part of the puppy training
- Food: Puppy food right for the size and age of your dog
- Collar and leash: Make your puppy to get used to these asap
- Brush & comb: Start grooming so that your puppy accepts it
Select Puppy Food
Puppies require food particularly designed for their rapid growth and small bodies. That is because of a growing puppy requirement more protein and calories than an adult dog. The food is simple on a puppy's smallmouth and a weaker jaw. Do not forget, puppies need a lot of fresh, clean water.
Watch for Early Signs of Illness
For the first few months, puppies are further vulnerable to illnesses that may be serious if not caught in the early stages. If you observe any of the following symptoms in your puppy, it is time to contact the vet.
- Lack of appetite
- Poor weight gain
- Vomiting
- Swollen or the painful abdomen
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing or coughing
- Pale gums
- Swollen, red eyes, and eye discharge
- Nasal discharge
- Inability to pass urine and stool
Puppy Training
Great doggy manners do not come naturally. You have to spend some time to teach your new pup how to behave.
Utilize reward-based training methods. The idea is to give your dog a treat when they will behave well so that they repeat this good behavior.
Crate Training a Puppy
A crate, such as a den, is a safe place for your new puppy. Select a crate big enough for the puppy to lie down with their legs outstretched.
If you select one large crate, then you can leave your puppy unattended without worrying about potty. Also, Place a welcoming bed as well as a blanket inside.
Teach Obedience
By teaching dog nice manners, you will train your dog up for positive social interaction. Additionally, obedience training will aid forge a strong bond between you and your puppy.
Teaching your pup to obey commands like sit, stay, down, and come won’t impress your friends, but these commands will help keep your dog safe as well as under control in any potentially hazardous conditions.
If you have a busy schedule then I recommend to go for puppy training classes. Several puppy owners find obedience classes are a good way to train both owner and dog. Classes start accepting puppies at age 4-6 months.
Find a Good Vet
The 1st place you and your dog should go is, straight to the vet for a checkup. This visit not only make sure, your puppy is healthy and free of serious health problems, birth defects, etc., but also it’ll help you take the first steps toward a better preventive health routine.
If you do not have a vet, ask friends for recommendations. If you got a puppy from a shelter, ask their advice since they can have veterinarians as well. Local dog walkers or groomers are a good source of ideas.
6 to 9 Weeks Old: Time for Vaccines
Vaccinations can help your puppy stay healthy. At 6 to 9 weeks it is time to get her vaccinated against parvovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, and canine hepatitis.
At 12 to 16 weeks it is time to get her rabies shot. Other vaccine options depend on the risks of your puppy, so talk to your vet for advice.
Play with Your Puppy
For puppy it is a huge adjustment when you bring it to your home. Make sure to give enough attention and affection. Spend time daily playing with your pup because it helps develop bonding as well as provides emotional support in a lot of ways.
Playing with your puppy is fun, make sure to start using puppy chew toys and squeaky toys.
Be Sociable
Like obedience training, appropriate socialization during puppyhood helps avoid behavioral issues down the road. At about 2-4 months of age, most puppies are ready to get socialized with animals, people, and places.
Socialization classes are the best way to rack up positive social experiences with your puppy. Make sure to ask your vet about what type of interaction is ok at this stage.
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