Welcoming a new puppy to your family is a fun and exciting new venture, but can also be stressful and quite disastrous if you are not fully prepared.
First and foremost, researching the type of dog you would like to add to your family and how he or she would fit in your lifestyle is an essential first step in new dog ownership. Different dog breeds have different energy levels, grooming needs and predisposed health concerns.
Key pre-puppy preparations include purchasing the correct supplies and food, developing a consistent household schedule and establishing a veterinary relationship, among other things.
Here are several essential tips that will help you start this amazing journey on the right foot: +*
Veterinary care
Puppies generally require more veterinary visits than most adult canines, since their immune system is still maturing and they require protection against certain diseases as their maternal antibodies wear off.
It is usually recommended to have a veterinarian examine your new puppy within approximately 10 days of your purchase or adoption, in order to rule out any serious illnesses or genetic disorders.
Your puppy will also need to be vaccinated against potentially deadly viruses, such as distemper and parvovirus. As for the rabies vaccine, it is most frequently administered between 14-16 weeks of age.
Your veterinarian will routinely request to evaluate a fecal sample of your puppy, to check if there are intestinal parasites present and administer deworming medication if necessary.
Additionally, there are several other topics you may wish to discuss with your veterinarian, such as proper nutrition, the right time to spay or neuter your puppy, and certain training tactics. In this regard, your veterinarian will most likely be able to recommend a trusted trainer or puppy training class, if you need one.
Establishing a good relationship with a veterinarian you can trust is the first step to make sure your puppy is in good hands.
Proper nutrition
Deciding on a quality puppy food is a key part of the pre-puppy planning process. In comparison to their adult counterparts, puppies are rapidly growing and need the right fuel to build strong muscle and bone.
Consult with your veterinarian which diet would be best for your specific dog, and always check the package label to make sure the food has been formulated to meet the nutritional guidelines of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
You can reference the feeding charts on commercial diets to help you establish the appropriate volume of food, but also keep in mind that each puppy is different and you may need to adjust the volume based on how fast or slow your puppy is growing and gaining weight. Prior to 6-8 months of age, most puppies should be fed three times a day. From then onwards, twice-a-day is the norm, but it will ultimately depend on each puppy’s growth and on the veterinarian’s advice.
Household routine
If there are multiple people in your household, you need to consider who will be designated to feed the puppy and take him or her for walks.
Also, establishing certain commands and verbal cues, such as “go potty”, “sit”, “drop”, etc. is important, and those commands should be consistently used by all members of the household. The more frequently these words or phrases are used, the more your puppy will associate particular behaviors with them, increasing their effectiveness.
Housebreaking can be a very challenging process when a new puppy enters your home and, depending on the age of your puppy, he or she may need to urinate or defecate every few hours. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that puppies can control their bladders one hour for every month of age. For example if your puppy is three months old, you can expect him or her to hold it for about three hours.
Rewarding your puppy for eliminating outside is a wonderful and appropriate way to let him or her know this is expected behavior.
Local services
A well prepared pet owner should consider researching local boarding kennels, doggie day care programs, trainers and dog walkers. These are all extremely helpful services if you are an active person or plan to travel often.
Most puppies require lots of exercise to satisfy their boundless energy. For this reason, doggie day care may be a great way for them to use up some of their energy and learn how to properly socialize with other dogs.
Having a trusted pet sitter or boarding kennel for your pet when you are on vacation is a great way to alleviate stress while you are away. Make sure to find out what the age requirement for boarding is and what vaccinations need to be administered prior to a kennel stay.
Puppy-proofing
It is very important to consider and anticipate possible dangers in your household. Here are a few suggestions that will help you do this:
Make an inventory of any toxic chemicals in the household and make sure you store them in locked cabinets or on high shelves.
Consider taping loose electrical cords to baseboards and remove any glass or fragile objects that could be within your puppy’s reach. You may also want to consider setting up gates to block off particularly dangerous areas of the household, if there are any.
Last but not least, don’t forget to remove any possible toxic plants you might have inside the house or in the yard, and consider switching to dog-friendly lawn chemicals.
Supplies: crate
If you want to make sure your new puppy feels happy, comfortable and safe in his or her new environment, there are certain supplies you should consider acquiring. One of them is a crate, which will help you establish boundaries and aid in your housetraining.
Make sure you pick a crate that is the right size for your puppy; crates that are too big can confuse puppies, leading them to think they can urinate or defecate inside the crate. Additionally, if you are unable to keep a close eye on your puppy for a certain period of time, using a crate is a good way to safely confine your pet and to avoid any foreign body ingestion or destruction in your household. Many crates are specifically designed to help with growing puppies, by providing dividers that allow pet owner to change the size of the crate when needed.
If you prefer not to crate train, establishing a specific region of your home or investing in a puppy pen is an excellent idea for helping to create boundaries.
Supplies: leash
A sturdy leash or harness is another important item every dog owner should have on hand, which will be necessary for daily walks and for training purposes.
For many puppies, especially those that are very excitable on leash, or pull when being walked, a harness may be a better choice. Harnesses will allow you to keep your furry friend under control while avoiding the risk of choking.
Supplies: safe toys
Obtaining a nice supply of safe toys for your puppy is something else you should consider. Make sure that the toys do not have small parts that could be easily swallowed, such as "squeakers" inside, and lead to obstructive problems.
Also, extremely hard and non-pliable toys can result in fractured or severely worn down teeth. Deer antlers and big, hard knuckle bones are bad choices for any dog, but for puppies they can be especially damaging. There are various types of teething toys and kong-type toys that your puppy will enjoy. The kong toys are usually made of flexible rubber and can filled with broken up treat pieces, peanut butter or even healthy treats, such as carrots.
Supplies: grooming products
Grooming supplies are also necessary for your new puppy, and the specific type you will need will depend on your puppy’s coat.
Acquiring a good comb or brush, along with high quality shampoo, is the best way to keep your new canine’s skin and coat looking shiny and healthy.
Final thoughts
It is hard to resist a happy and loving puppy. Puppies can make a great addition to any family or household, especially when the necessary preparations have been properly made.
Do your research on the breeds that could be a good fit for you and your family, and consider adopting or rescuing a puppy that needs a home.
Establish a good relationship with a veterinarian you trust, and purchase quality puppy food, in addition to safe and fun toys.
Lastly, have patience! Puppies often test our patience with accidents inside the house, eating objects or foods they should not, or chewing on furniture and clothing. It is important to remember they are still developing and learning each and every day.
If you are able to do all this and to stay consistent with your feeding schedule, your walks and your training, soon you and your puppy will make a great team!