Congratulations on your new puppy dog! Puppies are so cute, cuddly, and downright hilarious! They are also messy, destructive, and hardheaded too! Getting a new puppy involves careful planning and communication with everyone involved.
As animal lovers, and with the expected “annual Christmas puppy” surge, we’d like to offer some tips for successful integration!
Picking the Right Puppy
The first step before bringing home a new puppy dog is doing your due diligence. This means thoroughly researching and asking questions about the breeds your considering. It’s vital to pick the right breed to compliment your lifestyle. Consider whether you live in a house or apartment. Do you have children or other dogs? Can you deal with shedding? Will daily walks be provided or will you need a dog walker? The more questions you can ask yourself and your family the better!
Adopting a New Puppy
While we fully encourage you to adopt not shop, make sure you understand the dog’s past. They may have behavioral or health problems that need to be addressed. Shelter dogs make wonderful pets as long as you are fully aware and involved. Remember, it’s not just you and your home that is depending on your judgment but the dog also. Most of these dogs have been abandoned so putting them in the position for it to happen again is cruel. Bringing home a new puppy from a shelter or rescue is a lifetime commitment!
New Puppy Supplies
Time for the next step to ensuring your new puppy transitions into your home smoothly. Having the proper supplies and tools ahead of time is going to make it a whole lot easier! Here is a list of basic supplies and tools to get for your new puppy dog.
- Dog food
- Toys
- Chew Bones
- Dog Bed
- Coiled Dog Leash
- Dog Crate
- Puppy shampoo
- Poop Bags
- Blanket
- Puppy training pads
- Dog Brush/ Grooming Supplies
- Dog bowls
- Puppy treats
- Padded dog collar with ID tag
- First Aid Kit
These are just some of the key items every puppy needs. You can easily find all you need with a quick visit to your local pet store.
Choosing a Vet
Another important visit to make is to the vet you’ll be using. Before bringing home a new puppy dog, get to know their vet. The more comfortable you are with your dog’s vet, the more comfortable your puppy will be. Dogs easily pick up the mood of their owners so they need your confident reassurance when they are nervous. We highly recommend going ahead and scheduling a checkup for your new puppy within a few weeks of bringing them home. Besides a routine puppy checkup, you’ll need to get heartworm prevention and flea and tick medication.
Implement a Daily Routine
Potty Training
Now that your new puppy dog is home, it to get them on a routine. The key to successful potty training is a consistent schedule. Your puppy will make mistakes in the beginning but they will quickly learn the ropes if you keep them on a schedule. Most will need to go out in the morning, before bed, and every one to two hours during the day. Don’t forget to reward your puppy with a treat for a job well done, positive reinforcement works wonders!
Feeding
Feeding time should also be put on a schedule. This will help your puppy recognize when it’s his time to eat and that your food is off limits. Knowing when he can expect to be fed (and toys) will also keep him from chewing on items in the house. Be sure you are feeding your new puppy a puppy food that is healthy and breed appropriate. Consulting with your dog’s vet is the best way to determine this.
Exercise
When it comes to exercise, all dogs need at least a walk each day. A daily walk or run is vital for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind, a new dog may not be leash trained, so they will need to become used to walking on a leash. This is easily learned over time and with proper gear, will be an enjoyable activity for you both. If you will be walking the dog yourself, invest in a padded dog collar. This will keep your puppy more comfortable by preventing unnecessary pressure on the neck. Additionally, a coiled leash will help control your puppy while keeping you from getting tangled up. There are even hands-free options!
For those with busier lifestyles, we would love the opportunity to assist in keeping your pet healthy and happy. We have affordable packages that will save you time and money!
Introducing a New Puppy to Young Children
Introducing young children to puppies will typically result in one of two reactions. The first being overexcitement and the second being fearful. A new puppy dog can have the same reactions. Both reactions can be dangerous for child and puppy so they should be slowly introduced. Limit the time they spend together until boundaries are clear and trust is built.
Let your child help feed and walk the new puppy. Also, give the puppy an old shirt or toy that belonged to your little one. These are both ways of establishing trust. One step you can take before even bringing home a new puppy is letting them meet at the shelter or rescue. This will help the child to be calmer when the dog moves in. It’s also a great way to see how the dog and child react initially to each other.
Remember, a dog should never be an impulse decision. Getting a new puppy should be a joyous and wonderful experience for all involved. With proper research and planning, no doubt it absolutely will be!
Happy Holidays!
If you would like to learn more or if you would like to use our pet care services reach out to us via email or call us. For professional dog training services, visit Pawsitive K9 Solutions.
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