Five Things Every New Puppy Guardian Should Know
Congratulations on your new puppy! As you set off on your life together with your new best friend, I wish both of you many happy years of love, joy and togetherness.
Having a new dog in the home is a fun and exciting experience for all, but in between it all, there’s work to do. There are puppy supplies to be bought, training to be done and of course, puppy poop to be cleaned up.
In this article, we’ll discuss the five things you absolutely must dog to ensure that your dog is a happy and well-adjusted.
1.Crate Training Basics
Hopefully you’ve done some forward planning and have already bought a crate before you bring your dog home. A dog crate is just about the most useful dog accessory you can buy. It can be used as a kennel, a carrier and a house training device.
You’ll want to get your puppy familiar with the crate from day one, and it should be your pup’s home in the early weeks. It will also come in handy later for potty training.
2. Vaccinations
It is extremely important to have your puppy vaccinated against common canine diseases. Many of these diseases are fatal to a young dog with an underdeveloped immune system, so follow your vet’s recommendations.
3. Potty Training
Common knowledge has it that you must start house training the minute you get your pup home. This will almost always be doomed to failure. The puppy will be disorientated and afraid and will hardly be in the right frame of mind to be taught anything.
For the first couple of weeks you should be crate training your puppy instead. He should pick this up quickly, as it is natural dog behavior to seek out a “den”.
Give your pup about two weeks to settle in before you start house training. If you followed the advice and did crate training first, he will virtually be house trained already, anyway.
4. Socialization Training
Socialization is important in teaching your puppy how to interact with other people and animals. It also teaches him that not everyone outside the family is an enemy. Allow your pup to meet as many people as possible. Also let him get used to other family pets, but always do the introductions with the puppy on a leash.
5. Bonding With Your Dog
If all of this sounds like hard work, it shouldn’t be, raising a puppy is fun. Take time to play with your puppy, as this is important to building a bond. As you play, gently correct any bad behavior, like biting.
Puppies can be a lot of work and responsibility, but they’re also a joy to have in your life. You’ll want to enjoy these early weeks and months you spend with your pup because, before you know it, he’ll be all grown up. And if you followed the suggestions above, chances are he’ll be a happy, well-adjusted adult.
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