Raise Your Puppy Right with These Dog Parent Tips

A new puppy is an exciting addition to your family. Whether buying a pedigree dog or adopting a rescue puppy, you could have a new family member for a decade or more. But before you start thinking about your long future with your puppy, you have to consider how to get off to a good start. Some puppies might have had some training or had important health checks and vaccinations. But puppies generally don’t come to you fully trained and ready to be the best adult dog they can be. You must take the right steps to raise your puppy to have a healthy, well-behaved adult dog.

Vaccinate Your Puppy

One of the first things you should do is take your puppy to see a vet for a checkup and to get their vaccinations. They might have had some vaccinations already, so check with the breeder or wherever you get your puppy. You should keep records of vaccinations to know what your puppy has had and when they should next have a booster. Getting vaccinations can also be a good chance for a general checkup to ensure everything is ok and your puppy is growing up healthy.

Feed a Healthy Diet

Your puppy’s diet is one of the most important things you need to consider, and there are many questions to ask. Wet or dry food? Is a raw food diet healthy? Can dogs eat salmon and other human food? How much should your dog be eating? Should you include any supplements in their food? You can speak to your vet about this if you are unsure where to start. Dog food brands will provide guidelines on how much to feed your puppy based on age and weight. You can consider special puppy foods; some foods are also designed for different breeds.

Give Your Puppy Plenty of Exercises

Exercise is another key concern when you get a puppy. How much does your puppy need, and can you ever exercise your puppy too much? The amount of exercise your puppy will need depends on their breed, age, size, and temperament. Some puppies will need a lot of exercise as they grow and might have less energy when they’re older. Other dogs remain very active until they reach their senior years. You can exercise your puppy by walking, taking them to dog parks, or playing in your yard. It’s essential to find time to do this every day.

Toilet Train Your Puppy

Getting your puppy trained to go to the bathroom outside will be one of the first things you want to do. If your puppy can’t do this, you’ll want to be prepared with some puppy pads to help prevent messes inside. For those who live in apartments or spaces without immediate outdoor access, you might find this website with grass patches for dogs extremely helpful. These patches can act as an intermediary step before your pup is fully trained to go outside. Dogs don’t have full bladder capacity until they’re around a year old, so it’s normal for some accidents, even after your puppy has mostly got the hang of waiting until they’re outdoors. Learn how to watch for signs your puppy needs to go so that you can take them out as soon as possible and reward them for going outside.

Find a Puppy Training Class

You can train your puppy at home if you want to, especially if you have some experience. However, many people find it helpful to go to a puppy training class so that their dog can learn obedience. Puppy classes not only teach your puppy how to behave like a polite member of society but can also be useful to help you learn about how to keep your puppy in line and keep them safe. You might also want to consider other classes for your dog, such as an agility class, which can be fun to do together and a good form of exercise.

Socialize Your Puppy

Puppy classes are also a good way to socialize your dog, but you have other options. Your puppy needs to get used to being around other dogs and people immediately. There are many ways to introduce new dogs, people, and environments, but it’s important to do it carefully. If you want to socialize your puppy with other dogs, consider choosing dogs, you already know who are well-trained and calm. If you want them to play together, ensure they have a safe and secure space and can retreat away from each other if they want to.

Take Out Pet Insurance

Create Stability for Your Puppy

We all need a certain level of stability and comfort in our lives, and dogs are no different. It’s reassuring for your puppy to have a routine and certain things they can expect from you. When you take your puppy home, you can start creating a routine and a sense of stability. Feed and exercise your puppy at the same times each day and try to keep your routine so they know what to expect. Some people train their puppy with a crate to give them a safe space to go to at night or when they want some time alone.

If you want your puppy to become a good adult dog, focus on giving them the right start with training, a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and a safe place to live.