Getting ready for a new Pup
The first few weeks of your puppy’s life are an exciting time. You’ll get to know them, train them and spend lots of time together. Whether you’re a first-time puppy paw-rent or an experienced dog owner, it’s good to remind yourself and your family what you need to do to care for your new family member properly.
We have compiled a list of everything you, as a new paw-rent, need to know for sure success!
Get the Right Puppy Gear
There’s a lot you’ll need to get before bringing your puppy home, including:
- A crate. This is where your dog will sleep and stay when you are away from home. It will also come in handy for housebreaking and ensuring that your puppy doesn’t chew up your stuff.
- Collar and leash. When shopping for collars, make sure they are adjustable so they can grow with the dog as he gets bigger.
- Bedding (blanket or pillow), food dishes, water dish(es).
Puppy House Training
House training can be difficult and time-consuming. Check out this link for a complete guide on how you can potty train your new pup.
Understanding Puppy Body Language
As a new puppy paw-rent, it’s important to understand the language of your pet. Dogs communicate with their ears and tails just as much as we do.
If your dog is barking, whimpering, or growling at you, she may tell you that she’s either not happy with you or trying to get your attention.
On the other hand, if your puppy’s tail is wagging and his ears are perked up when he sees you coming home from work in the evening, he might just be excited about some playtime!
Give your Puppy a Safe Space for Themselves
Puppies need their own space. They need a place to sleep that is separate from other household members, where they can feel safe from being stepped on or trampled by two-legged creatures – we recommend using a crate.
Crate training is one of the simplest ways to house-train your puppy. By placing your puppy in a crate, you establish an area that’s his or hers—a place for sleeping and eating without being disturbed by others. For more information on why we love crate training, check out this blog.
Basic Obedience Training
Using positive reinforcement, you can teach your puppy to sit, stay, and come. When training new commands like these, keep in mind that dogs are creatures of habit—they want to please their owners and will try as hard as they can until they get it right! It may take time before these behaviors become second nature, but persistence is key here!
Don’t Go Overboard on Puppy Treats
While puppies may not have the self-control to stop themselves from eating all day long, you do. It’s important to be careful about what kinds of food and treats you give your puppy. You don’t want your dog to get sick or grow too fat from all the treats you might be giving them during training sessions. Here are some general food guidelines for new puppy paw-rents to follow:
- In general, avoid giving your puppy human food as it can upset his stomach and make him sick.
- If you give him table scraps, only offer small amounts at a time.
- Limit the number of training treats your pup consumes.
Socializing Your New Pup
Socializing is so important. It helps puppies learn to interact with people and other dogs, which is crucial for them to grow up into well-adjusted adults. Socialization also helps puppies develop confidence and control over their instincts, so they can feel safe in new environments and learn how to play with other dogs (or even people) appropriately.
We hope you’ve found this guide to be helpful, but remember that the most important thing you can do as a new puppy paw-rent is to love your puppy! They thrive on love, affection, and attention from their owner. So go ahead: enjoy each day with your new best friend!
