Bringing a puppy home can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. They say that dogs are a man’s best friend, so, getting one is having a companion for life. The trend for adopting puppies as pets increases day by day. In fact, a report says that adoption rates at animal shelters have grown up to 40% in 2020 as people coped with the pandemic situation.
Yes, getting a puppy gives a wonderful feeling. However, taking care of it is not an easy task. This article will show you some of the basic things you need to learn when adopting a puppy for the first time.
Factors to Remember When Bringing a Puppy Home
Pet-Proof Your Home
Make sure that your home serves as a suitable place to live in for your puppy. They should not have any access to toxic foods. Keep hanging cords or vertical blinds tidied away to avoid any accidents. Cover your furniture so your puppy will not be enticed to jump on it. Prepare basic puppy supplies such as a collar, bowl, and leash. Set up a dog crate, add in blankets, and have some food and water nearby so your puppy will recognize this area as its safe and cozy place. A few simple toys can give it excitement, too.
Prioritize Health and Medical Care
One of the most important aspects of bringing a puppy home is looking after its health. That is why it’s vital to look for the right veterinarian who can guide you through your puppy’s health and medical care needs. A good veterinarian takes care of your pet when it gets ill and can even provide vaccination to minimize the risks of acquiring diseases. Compared to adult dogs, puppies require different types of diet for their growing bodies. Your veterinarian can also help you set up a diet plan for your puppy to avoid any growth defects.
Give Constant Training
Puppies find it difficult to adjust to a new shelter setting. Before bringing a puppy home, you need to remember to be extra patient with it. Establishing a bathroom routine is one of the challenges you will encounter with your puppy. Regularly train your puppy to pee or poop outside after waking up from a nap, playing, or eating for familiarization. You also need to practice positive reinforcement to train the puppy into behaving. One way of teaching it to behave is to give treats whenever it follows your commands. You can also carry out small punishments as part of its learning stage.
Slowly Introduce Your Puppy to People at Home
A new person in your home wouldn’t know your routine right away. This also applies to your new puppy. Change can be overwhelming for puppies so take the time in letting them be comfortable at home. Let the puppy approach you to lessen potentially aggressive behavior. Keep your home calm and quiet to promote a good feeling for your puppy.
Socialize Your Puppy
Social habits should be implemented early on for puppies so they will not have any abnormal behavior when seeing other animals or people as they grow. The key is to take your puppy out for a walk daily so that it will be comfortable in your environment. Expose it to men, women, children, and even other dogs. As always, give it some treats whenever it encounters successful interactions.
Observe Safety
Keep an eye out on your puppy regarding any abnormal behavior or illness and consult your veterinarian immediately. Do not disregard signs and symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or having low energy. Report these to your veterinarian so they can give proper advice, medication, and treatment. Keep away household items that are dangerous for puppies. Cover electric wires and get rid of toxic substances before bringing a puppy home to prevent it from getting harmed.
Ready to Welcome the Newest Addition to Your Family?
Just like individuals, puppies also need love and affection. Your new puppy will quickly adjust if it feels cherished in its new environment. Aside from the care, you also need to take the above-mentioned components seriously. Getting a puppy is a serious task as you will be taking care of a living thing. Remember to give it special care so that it will grow up happy and healthy.