Everyone loves the idea of having a puppy. They’re cute, fun, and make an exciting addition to the family. However, they come with a lot of responsibility. They take up your time, money, and patience in many different ways. Educating yourself on how to care for a puppy and what to expect when they come home is a great way to make sure you are fully prepared. This will save you from a great deal of stress and will make sure that your new pet is as happy as can be. There are several basic guidelines that one should follow when caring for a puppy. As long as you follow these, you and your dog should be able to get by just fine.
1. Go to the Vet
Going to the vet clinic for annual checkups is something you should be prepared to do throughout your dog’s life. They allow you to track your dog’s health in case anything changes that is worth some concern. It’s also a good time to update them on any vaccines they need. Even if you adopt a puppy who is already up to date on its shots, it’s still a wise idea to have them looked over by a vet to make sure they are in the best health possible.
Pet vaccinations are important because they help to protect your pet’s health. Puppies can be susceptible to a number of illnesses without the right protection. In order to ensure that they stay healthy and safe for years to come, visit your local veterinary clinic regularly.
2. Make a Puppy Schedule
Navigating work and life while raising a new puppy can be hard on your schedule. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Creating a schedule and finding out how to make things work with your new family member before they come home will make things easier. If you know you will be at work for long hours, hire someone to come walk them and check in on them. They need a lot of exercise and attention, so if your plan is to leave them in a kennel for hours at a time, you might want to reconsider getting a dog until you or a member of the house have more free time. You also need to make time for training, socializing, and bonding with them.
3. Prepare for Them to Grow
Something that many people don’t think about when they bring home a new puppy is that unless the breed is naturally small, that dog is going to grow. Many of the behaviors that seem cute from a puppy, such as jumping or nibbling on fingers, won’t be so cute anymore when you have a larger dog on your hands. It’s wise to keep in mind that whatever habits they learn as puppies will carry over into adulthood, so make sure you train them to behave the way you want them to when they are fully grown.
With the help of these three tips, it should be easier to keep your new dog happy and healthy. It will also help to keep you sane while you are managing life with a puppy. Preparation and dedication both go a very long way when it comes to successfully adding a new fuzzy family member to your home.