5 Tips On How To Care For A Puppy
Raising a healthy dog begins with caring for him correctly from the time you bring him home. Below are 5 tips on how to care for a puppy that will keep him healthy and comfortable.
1. Keep Him Comfortable
You need to prepare for your puppy even before you bring him home. He’ll like a comfy dog bed and toys. You’ll also need to purchase food and water dishes.
You want to set aside time to spend with your puppy when you bring him home, so he’ll feel safe and know that you are going to take care of him. He has just left the only family he’s ever known to come live with you; so he’ll need some patience and some time to feel safe with you.
2. Proper Food
You should remember that a puppy is a baby dog and he should be treated much the same way you would treat a young baby. You will not want to give him grown-up dog food for a while and you should check with a vet or the pet store or his previous owner to see what he has been eating. If you would like to feed him a different kind of food, do not just chance it quickly because he may stop eating or even get sick. Gradually replace your food with what he has been used to eating and he will learn to like the new food. Remember to treat him like the new baby he is and you will get along well.
Do not feed table scraps to your new puppy. It creates a bad habit for both you and your puppy and may not be good for your puppy’s health.
3. Medical Care
Knowledge and regular practice of veterinary care are of foremost importance when learning how to care for a puppy. You should remember that puppies often need to be wormed and adequately vaccinated. The new puppies must be taken to a Veterinarian for vaccination as well as for scheduling regular check ups. This will keep the puppy in good health.
4. Puppy Safety
Just as you “child proof” your home before you bring home baby, you should “puppy proof” your home before you bring home that new addition to the family. Puppies are naturally curious about their new world, and need to be protected from danger. That danger not only comes from what is in your home, but also from older and/or stronger pets who want to play too rough with the puppy. Also, make sure that any young children are taught that the puppy is a real live creature, because many puppies have been injured by a child who thinks they are a stuffed animal.
5. Obedience Training
Obedience training for your puppy is critical as it will help him turn into a well behaved dog. Not only will this insure that your dog is a pleasure to be around but it will also allow you to keep him safe. If your dog is obedient you can easily call him back if he is heading into danger. It’s never too early to start training your dog so you might want to have a plan for this before you bring your puppy home.
Learning how to care for a puppy isn’t hard, but it takes a bit of planning and commitment on your part. Don’t worry, if you plan it properly and give your puppy lots of love, you will be amply rewarded.