The Art of Raising a Puppy
You'll need a lot of patience when you embark on the journey of raising a puppy. As your pup's adult teeth start to emerge, they'll be compelled to chew almost everything in sight, from your favorite pair of shoes to children's toys, cardboard boxes, or even your hand.
Having a dog means assuming responsibility for their safety, health, and happiness. It means setting aside funds to pay for vet fees when your pet gets injured or eats something they shouldn't, and having a plan in place for their care when you can't be around (pet sitter or taking them to a boarding facility). It also means not yelling at your puppy in anger when they destroy something; they don't understand English anyway. Below, we'll share a guide, including tips, on how to make your puppy's transition into your home as smooth as possible.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
You'll need to properly prepare for your new puppy before they even arrive. A good way to plan for this is to think of what you'd need to do to child-proof your home. Potentially hazardous chemicals or plants should be moved out of your puppy's reach and electrical cords should be secured. Close any windows, doors, or other openings that your puppy could easily escape through and run away or be left stranded.
We also recommend starting house training as soon as you bring your puppy home. Have your puppy's crate ready if you intend to crate-train him. Make sure the crate is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down. Line it with a dog bed or blankets to make it more comfortable.
If you do plan to crate-train your puppy, dedicate a tiny area, such as a corner in the kitchen or a powder room, where your pup will be confined and kept away from small children and other dogs. Make sure you have some puppy training pads ready to catch any accidents, as well as your dog's bed, food and water bowls, and a toy or three.
Provide Your Puppy With a Proper Diet
Your puppy should have high-quality food specifically made for their age group. The appropriate amount of food is determined by characteristics such as age, size, and breed. Ask your vet about how much and how often you should feed your dog.
To guarantee enough nourishment for some tiny breeds of dogs, it may be best to free-feed. Toy and tiny breed dogs mature physically faster than larger breeds and can be moved to adult dog food and adult-sized portions between the ages of nine and twelve months.
Larger breeds should be fed several meals each day in appropriate portions to avoid issues like stomach bloat and protein or calcium buildup.
Here's a general guideline for a large breed of dog to be fed:
- Six to twelve weeks old: Four meals per day
- Three to six months old: Three meals per day
- Six months and up: Two meals per day
Train Your New Puppy
One of the first aspects of training your new puppy will be potty training. To ensure success you will want to create a potty schedule for your new puppy, taking them out every couple of hours for a walk. Until they are fully vaccinated you will want to take them to a portion of the yard where they won't be exposed to other animals.
If your dog has an accident or displays an undesirable behavior, you should never yell or physically discipline them. When they exhibit bad behavior, attempt to redirect them to something positive. Obedience lessons are a good way to teach them proper behavior, and they will also aid in socialization.
Proper socialization is critical to the success of raising a puppy. They need to be introduced to as many new people, places, experiences, and circumstances as possible to grow into a well-adjusted dog. You should wait until they have had all of their vaccines before taking them out in public or allowing them to interact with other animals but, you may begin socializing your puppy right away by playing with them and introducing them to new people, sights, noises, smells, and textures.
Always supervise children or other pets while they are around your puppy's food or favorite toy to reduce even minor resource-guarding habits.
The most crucial lesson is to teach a puppy not to bite. Establishing your position as pack leader will help your puppy remember that they must earn your respect and obey you. Keep in mind that your dog desires your approval but also requires your direction. If your puppy nips or bites, discipline with a calm but firm 'no'.
Keep Your Puppy Active
If your new puppy becomes bored they may begin to display an array of naughty behaviors. Providing them with toys and outdoor exercise helps to keep their mind stimulated.
When is it time to visit the vet?
Book your new puppy's first health checkup with a veterinarian once they are around six to eight weeks old. The vet will assess your puppy's health, administer any vaccines they need, and recommend any parasite prevention products to keep your puppy from contracting dangerous parasites.
Speak with your vet to determine the best preventive care program for your new puppy. They can advise you on when to bring them in to be fixed, which can help lessen the risks of your puppy developing health and behavioral issues.
You can ask your veterinarian any questions you have regarding care for your young dog, such as what kind of food is best to feed them. They can also advise you on puppy care issues such as tooth brushing and nail cutting and even show you how to do it.
You should also schedule your puppy's next checkup before leaving the clinic. This next visit is typically once they are about six months old.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.