Raising a family takes a lot of love, and there is nothing more attractive to have in the home than a puppy. Raising your own puppy to be your favorite dog is always the best way, as the puppy becomes a member of your family and you get to watch them grow. Raising puppies is hard work, as it becomes more like raising a child. You have to be there for them every second of the day, even when you are not there, and that means preparing everything from medication to food and bedding. Once you get the basics right, you will love being a parent, and these 10 tips will help you do just that.
Puppy proof your home
The moment you bring a puppy home, you have another baby, which means all those dangerous exposed cables need to be put away. You need to choose whether you want your puppy to roam around or in a crate. If you choose a crate, you need to keep the door open and give your puppy plenty of room to move around and sleep. You also need to teach your puppy to know his designated sleeping area. Plants that may be poisonous to your puppy, as well as food scraps and pesticides, should be kept out of your puppy’s reach. You should also keep your floors clean and have a puppy-friendly vantage point to scour the house for any threats that could harm your puppy.
Eat right in the first days
The breeder or rescue centre will give you the first bag of food, and this is what your puppy will eat for the first few days. Then you will need to decide if your dog needs a special diet and if you will need to switch from the food provided by the breeder. Puppies have high energy and protein requirements, so you will need to rely on the nutritional advice of your breeder and veterinarian and stick to the best quality food you can find. If you change your puppy’s diet, you should do it slowly to avoid nutritional shock.
Make sure they exercise.
You may not have enough time to play with your puppy, but he needs to play to grow up healthy. You should limit play time because exercise is necessary for your dog to grow strong and smart, and tug-of-war games will not do that. However, exercise should not be limited to walks. Take your dog to different places each time so that he can learn new things and interact with different people and dogs. Scratching different types of grass, chasing birds, swimming, and other activities help your dog understand the world better and constantly learn new skills.
Get the Right Puppy Starter Pack
You have a leash and collar with an ID, a bed for your puppy, poop bags and puppy food and now you think you are all set, but you are not done yet. You will need to switch to a safe puppy cleaner in your home and make sure your puppy has a food bowl that is appropriate for his portions and fresh water that can be given with his meals. You will also need a harness when you are leash training your dog and don’t forget about toys unless you want your puppy to use your dishes during play.
Groom when needed
Grooming is something that many dog owners forget about when they first get their puppy, until they notice that their puppy’s coat is out of control and their nails are scratching everything. Depending on the breed, you may need to trim and brush your puppy regularly, so make sure you have the right brush for this. You will also need a toothbrush and toothpaste for your puppy because they are still vulnerable and if you don’t brush their teeth, they are at risk of getting infections. Your puppy also needs a bath to prevent ticks and fleas, so make sure you give them a soft bath.
Schedule regular veterinary visits
Once you get your puppy from a breeder, you will need to visit the vet for his first check-up, and that is just the beginning. The vet will check his respiratory health, heart and stomach, and other vital health checks before telling you if you need medications and special diets, as well as general guidelines for keeping your puppy healthy. You should also ask your vet for nutritional advice and make sure you visit at least once a month.
Introduce new foods and medications slowly
Puppies need time and patience, and this includes anything new that they are supposed to eat. You should be very careful with the medications that you use on your puppy, and if they are changed, it is advisable that you keep them to a minimum. The same goes for flea and tick treatments. You should also introduce new foods slowly into your puppy’s regular diet to prevent bloat and diarrhea.
Don't let them overeat
Eating too quickly is bad for your puppy because they will absorb too much air along with the food, which will cause bloat. The upset stomach and pain caused can make them shy away from eating, which will not help their growth. The worst thing you can never allow is overeating. You should avoid puppy food at all costs, and if you have a lot of food, you can mix smaller portions with water to keep them full without overeating.
Be sure to vaccinate and deworm on time.
You should not leave your puppy unvaccinated after 16 weeks. You should also work with your vet to establish a reliable deworming plan. While some people recommend using natural wormers, we strongly recommend that you take your pet’s advice. Not deworming puppies every few weeks can lead to a buildup of worms, which can lead to illness and death. Some worms can also attack humans.
Stay away from harsh chemicals to control fleas and ticks
Fleas and ticks are dangerous, but they won’t attack your puppy unless you allow him to roam around in dirt and other unsafe areas. However, it’s not worth taking chances. You should maintain regular brushing and grooming, and purchase tick/flea treatments when your puppy is young. Harsh chemicals can harm your dog and cause illness because puppies tend to lick themselves and ingest chemicals. You should choose a mild one and only use it if you notice an actual flea or tick attack.
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