4 Steps To Take Care Of Your Puppy Properly For New Dog Parents
Puppies are adorable additions to our lives, but parenting a new dog is no easy task. Our puppy care guide below will help you give your puppy the greatest possible start in life and avoid any potential issues later on.
House Training
House training needs lots of time and effort, but once you've created a decent habit, everything will be fine. A routine, patience, and positive reinforcement are the first steps in house training a dog.
It will be easier to train a puppy that has been grown with its mother and father rather than one that has been nurtured in a cage in a store. For example, puppies in stores go to the bathroom in their kennel, whereas puppies raised with their parents are taught from birth to go outdoors with their parents to relieve themselves.
Also, make sure your puppy is wearing a comfortable customizable collar with your contact information on it. Besides, the tag should include your puppy's name, address, and phone number.
Develop A Proper Feeding Schedule
Feeding your puppy with high-quality food is a key component to keeping your fur baby healthy. If you are unsure of which brand to pick, speak to your veterinarian to see what they recommend. Choose a brand and stick with it, as oftentimes switching brands can upset your baby's tummy.
You can refer to Rachael Ray Dog Food to find the most suitable nutrition for your puppy. This store is a great supplier of pet food and sometimes you can also find Rachael Ray Dog Food coupons to get a real bargain while shopping for your new baby.
You should feed your puppy at least twice a day, depending on its age:
- - 8 to 12 weeks: 4 times a day
- - 3 to 6 months: 3 times a day
- - 6 to 12 months: 2 meals every day
To avoid blood sugar reduction, small or toy breed dogs typically involve regular feedings, about every two to three hours.
Vaccinate Your Puppy
Take him to the vet when he's 6 to 9 weeks old to start his vaccine schedule. Distemper, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and parvovirus are all diseases that should be discussed with your veterinarian. They may also recommend other critical immunizations, based on the dangers your dog poses and the risks in your location.
During your first visit to the veterinarian, make sure to ask about deworming medication. Not only is deworming beneficial to your puppy's health, but it is also beneficial to your own. Many parasites that attack your puppy can be passed on to humans, causing health issues in your family.
Remember to return to the vet for a rabies vaccination when your puppy is 12 to 16 weeks old after your first appointment. Then, talk with your veterinarian about the rabies vaccine protocol that is advised in your area.
Ensure Their Social Time
A new puppy requires a lot of snuggles, rest, sleep, healthy, nutritious food, and more love! Giving him time with you and your family, and showing the feeling of being safe and secure in his new home is particularly important for a puppy that is moving to a new home without his mother and littermates.
It's also a good idea to expose your puppy to a range of sights, noises, people, and experiences in the early weeks and months. Plan to take your puppy outside at the same time every day, keeping in mind that the best times are directly after you get up, before bed, right after eating, sleeping, or physical activity.
The basic rule is to take a puppy outside for as many hours as his age plus one hour, thus a two-month-old puppy should be taken outside every three hours. Allow him to interact with everyone, the postman, and other visitors at his leisure. Instead of growing up shy or scared, a well-socialized puppy will be able to handle all of the scenarios he'll probably face later in life.
Conclusion
It’s always great to have a new dog. Puppies are a wonderful, exciting, and adorable addition to any family. Puppies are also a lot of effort, but if you stay dedicated and persevere, you will be rewarded with a devoted, happy, and loving companion.
