Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting life experiences for a single person or a family, but it can also be a lot of work. If you are concerned about starting your puppy’s life off on the right track, it is essential that you stick to some basic rules that all good dog owners follow. In order to keep your puppy fit and happy, check out the steps below.
Let Them Play Outside
A puppy who has little to no outdoor time will become anxious and restless easily. It is good to get your new dog outside as much as possible. This is beneficial for both you and the puppy because puppies have lots of energy that they have to expel and because they are so young, they get tired easily. After playing outside, your puppy will likely come inside and fall asleep right away.
If your puppy is not getting the necessary exercise or outdoor stimulation, then they will find other ways to expel their energy. This may include chewing on furniture, running around the house and knocking things over, and biting everyone and everything in sight. By establishing a schedule of outdoor time for your puppy, you will ensure that they get exercise, and outdoor exposure like experiencing new smells, and begin to put them on a bathroom schedule.
Start Their Diet Off on the Right Foot
There are a lot of different types of puppy foods out there, so to find the right one for your new puppy, you may have to do some research. Some brands can cater certain foods to certain breeds of dogs, so that is something to keep in mind when looking for food. If your puppy is a small, medium, or large breed dog, they will have different nutritional needs.
Genetically, dogs’ bodies are used to catching and eating raw meat in the wild. Because of this knowledge, many companies have developed recipes for raw food for your puppy that will start them off on a healthy and nutritional diet. These kinds of meals are packed full of natural meats like beef, chicken, and turkey and because they are raw instead of kibble, they are more appealing to your dog’s taste buds than other dog foods.
One problem that many new dog owners have is that their puppies don’t have as big of an appetite as they should. This could be related to certain foods or just that they are adjusting to switching from milk to solid food. When looking for good dog food, keep this in mind and consider flavour as well as nutritional benefits. Your dog deserves to have a good meal just like the rest of you.
Socialize Them Early
Once you have picked up your new puppy, they have likely had a little bit of socialization with their littermates, but they are so young that memories of collaboration will quickly fade. The best thing you can do for your puppy once they are vaccinated and old enough to interact with other dogs is to make sure that they are meeting new dogs and people on a regular basis.
You do not want a dog that is only used to interacting with you and the other people in your household because that will make them overprotective when strangers come around and that could lead to behavioural issues down the line. Interacting with other dogs is also essential so that your puppy knows how to behave when on walks or just out in public in general.
One of the best ways that you can socialize your puppy is to put them in a puppy training class with other dogs who are learning how to navigate the world. In these types of classes, they will learn how to cooperate with other dogs and they will also get used to humans other than the ones in their house.
Crate Train Them
This topic can be debated from time to time, but research has shown that crate training is a great way to make your puppy feel safe in their new home. A crate offers a safe space for your puppy to sleep and retreat to if they are feeling overwhelmed. Just like their ancestors slept in covered caves, dogs like to feel comforted by four walls so that they can sleep soundly and know that they are safe. This will result in an overall happier dog.
In order to keep your puppy fit and happy, it is important to focus on and observe their needs. Every dog is different and has different needs, but these healthy steps give a general rule of thumb for new pet owners.
