Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments you can have in your life. Throughout their lives, puppies provide us with an endless source of joy and companionship. It is important to remember, however, that caring for a new puppy requires efforts and devotion to inculcate beneficial behavior from a young age. In this article, we will provide some of the most useful recommendations we have for people who have just got a new puppy.
Schedule a Vet Visit As Soon As Possible
Call your veterinarian within the first 48 hours after getting your new puppy to arrange an appointment. They will be able to check your puppy for symptoms of congenital or infectious disorders. Your vet will go through a puppy shots schedule with you, as well as explain the options for spaying your pet and doing fecal testing. They will be able to answer any questions you have about diet, house training options, and the frequency of future veterinarian checkups.
Do Not Ignore Socialization
The first three months of a puppy’s life have a significant impact on how happy and well-adapted that dog will be as an adult. A poorly socialized puppy may lack confidence and be easily overwhelmed or terrified of unfamiliar settings, while a well-socialized puppy will be able to handle nearly everything around them with ease. A reliable breeder will start socializing a puppy as soon as possible, but once you bring your new pet home, it is your responsibility to continue the process.
Puppy socialization entails trying your best to introduce your puppy to as many new settings and activities as possible in a positive way. This might involve the addition of new items, such as the tile floor in the kitchen, new sounds, such as the sound of the vacuum, or even additional species, such as cats or hamsters.
Collect Supplies
You cannot just go into your house and welcome a dog without first making the appropriate preparations. This includes purchasing products like toys, beds, pet food, a collar, dog shampoo, a toothbrush, toothpaste, snacks, nail clippers, and a variety of other items. If you already have the supplies you need, you won’t have to waste time stressing out or worrying about leaving your puppy while you go get them.
Select a Potty Spot for Your Puppy
Find a suitable outside area for your puppy to relieve himself. Check that the area is enough for the size of your canine buddy. If the dog is small, it will not need as much space as a bigger dog. It is also completely OK to take your dog on a stroll and let them decide where you should stop.
Make an effort to keep the spot clean. If you let the area get excessively dirty, your dog may decide that they no longer want to go there. Clean up after your dog out of respect for other people.
Create a Safe Space
It is important to offer a safe resting environment for your new puppy that is free of potential hazards such as electrical lines, cleaning supplies, and trash cans. A playpen, in combination with an appropriate-sized crate is an excellent means of confining your dog. As your new puppy becomes bigger and more used to being confined in its crate, wean it off of its exercise pen and focus on teaching it to remain in its crate for shorter and shorter amounts of time.
Apply Reward-Based Training
To promote good conduct, it is critical to employ a reinforcement-based approach to training. Behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated in the future. Your dog’s positive behavior may be rewarded with a little piece of food, a toy toss or tug, or simply some calming praise from you. As such, your dog will have powerful learning muscles.
Get Ready to Share Love
One last piece of advice to remember is to prepare yourself to give and receive a lot of love. A new puppy may need a lot of attention from you, but in return, they will shower you with love. Prepare to devote a major chunk of each day to your new family member.
Any family that is willing to adjust to changes in their daily routine would benefit significantly from the addition of a puppy. Bring your canine buddy with you when you go out exploring or for walks around the neighborhood. When you bring a new puppy into your home, you will no longer be lonely, and your new friend will be ready to shower you with much joy and love.
