It's always exciting to welcome a furry new addition to the family. As your puppy turns into an adolescent dog, you need to take action to ensure that the puppy grows up healthy, strong, and well-behaved.
1. PREPARE A RESTRICTED AREA
Prepare a crate, a bed, and some toys in a restricted area for your puppy. Consider purchasing dog training pads to protect your household from any accidents. Any potential hazards, like electrical cables, household cleaners, or anything breakable, should be removed from your puppy's space. You might want to use a pet gate or a small room to establish a safe place where your puppy won't be able to escape.
2. SEEK OUT A VETERINARIAN
Make an appointment with a trusted veterinarian. Having a good relationship with a veterinarian is beneficial so that one can assist you regarding vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and other preventative health care options for your pet. Your vet can assist you in establishing a baseline for your puppy's health and will offer guidance on how to keep your new dog healthy.
3. PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS MEALS
A well-balanced meal contains all the vitamins, minerals, and proteins your puppy requires to grow up healthy and strong. Rotating their proteins gives them the finest nutritional combination and can help them avoid being picky in the future.
4. TAKE CARE OF THEIR DENTAL HEALTH
By the age of three, more than 80% of dogs have gum diseases. Start thinking about your dog's oral health from the beginning to maintain their chompers healthy. Dental disease and gingivitis can be avoided by eating a nutritious diet rich in moisture and enzymes and low in carbs.
Dental bones can be enjoyed by young dogs, as it scrapes and cleans their teeth. It's important to supervise them when chewing bones. When your puppy has a bone or a toy to chew, it is less likely to chew on your belongings.
5. START TRAINING YOUR PUP
Begin to use your puppy's name frequently and always have treats on hand. Treats aims to support good behaviour and this can be simply done for instance, when your puppy urinates outside. Hand signals and clicker training are also effective with dogs, so try to see what works best for you and your puppy.
Negative reinforcement, such as shouting or rubbing their nose after a mistake is not effective as positive reinforcement. It's important to train your puppy since the behavior you tolerate now will be far more difficult to change later. Dog owners can also consider dog training classes.
6. BE PATIENT
Your puppy is getting used to its beginning and surroundings. If you’re annoyed, you can always take a minute to yourself and put the puppy in their safe space. Never use physical force on your puppy - this will simply teach your puppy to be afraid of you.
7. EXERCISE AND PLAY
Puppies have a lot of energy, hence, make sure to go on regular walks and play with them regularly. This is a great way to bond with your puppy.
8. MICROCHIP & IDENTIFICATION
Make sure that your dog has a collar with an identification tag with your contact information. Ensure that your pet is microchipped and protected.
9. INTRODUCING & SOCIALIZING
Introduce your dog to a lot of people, other dogs, and other animals early, to have a sociable, friendly, dog. More importantly, introduce them to a set of scenarios, such as car traveling, crowded cities, and outdoor environments. These experiences can help your dog to adjust to any environment and become less scared and reactive later in life.
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