If you have a new puppy in your home then you will want to do everything you can to make sure that you look after them properly and you’ll also want to make sure that you give them the support that they need as well. The problem is that if you have never had a dog before then you may not know how to look after them properly and you also may not know what they need either. If you want to avoid all of this find some useful hints and tips below to get you started.
Buying Your Puppy
When you buy a dog, it’s super important that you do your research and it’s also important that you are aware of their needs as well. If you don’t do this research then you will run into a ton of problems at a later date. Consider these things:
- Research the different breeds for size, temperament, activity level, trainability, and longevity.
- Cost of food, vet bills, dog sitters, and other items your new puppy needs.
- Do you or close family and friends have pet allergies? You might look into a breed that is more allergy-free.
- Consider how a pet impacts your living space. Your new puppy at home needs room to play, eat, and sleep. The bigger the dog the more space they need. And what about furniture? Is it pet-friendly?
High-Quality Dog Food
It’s really important that you give your dog a really high-quality dog food. It’s important to read the label on the food that you buy, as this is one of the best ways for you to make sure that they are getting everything they need. The first few ingredients should be meat, and not a by-product or grain. This will help you to instantly decide if the food is actually good or not. If you just can’t find out then chatting with your vet is a good idea, as they may have some recommendations based on the type of dog that you have.
Feeding Times
You really do have to feeding schedule with a new puppy in your home. Twice a day is a great routine for them to be in. If you have dry dog food then simply measure out how much food your dog needs per day and then divide that in two. Simply feed half in the morning and then another half in the evening. If you have a stable routine for your dog or new puppy then this can really help you to keep them toilet trained, and this is a brilliant way for you to try and get everything sorted out in the shortest possible time.
No People Food!
Sure your new puppy will most likely beg for treats, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give in constantly. If you feed your dog too many treats then this can cause them real problems and it may even lead to a ton of weight gain. You may need to feed your puppy when you are training them as this is a good way for you to show them that what they are doing is good.
A lot of people think things like bread, raisins, grapes, and avocado are good for dogs but it isn’t at all and you could really be causing your dog some serious harm by doing this. Stick to dog treats and if you want to create something really special then you can bake them some liver cake, however, it’s really important that you stick with the recipes that are online rather than doing it yourself so you don’t give your dog something that they shouldn’t be having.
Your Dog’s Health
Your dog needs to have a good and reliable vet. You’ll want to choose a vet that is able to answer any questions that you have quickly and you will also want to make sure that they are able to interact with your pet as well. A vet who doesn’t care much for dogs, or a vet who doesn’t interact with your dog won’t do much to put their nerves at ease, and this is the main thing that you have to think about. Of course, it also helps to have a vet who is able to give you an emergency appointment if you ever happen to need it as well, so do keep that in mind.
Vaccines
There really is no doubt about this, your puppy needs routine vaccines. This will help to defend themselves against disease and it will also help to keep your puppy safe as well. These tend to be done on a yearly basis but it is more than possible for them to be given when new diseases break out as well.
ID Chips
Your vet will also be able to fit your dog with an ID chip. This small chip is injected under the skin. If your dog gets lost, the person finding your dog can have the chip scanned by a vet or shelter to retrieve your information. Make sure to keep your information updated if you change your address or phone number.
Parasite Treatment
That new puppy in your home may also contract parasites when they are out and on their walks. You can’t prevent this from happening, but you can stop the parasites from hosting your pet by providing them with regular worming and flea treatments. In most cases, you actually only need to deworm your dog every couple of months but if you are struggling then you may want to try and give them a treatment every week or so. This really does depend on the dog that you have and it also depends on the area that you live in as well.
So it’s really important that you do your research when you get a dog, and it’s also important that you do everything you can to really give them the support that they need to learn and grow as well. To do this, you have to make sure that you reward them through training, play with them, and even take them out for a good walk every day. Getting a puppy can be a very rewarding experience, and this is especially the case if you have kids or if you want to add some excitement to the family home.
Conclusion
Adopting a dog is great, but you can sell puppies at Puppy Joy if you realize the puppy you have is just too much work or if they are not suited to your lifestyle.
