Prepare Yourself Before Getting a New Puppy

Prepare Yourself Before Getting a New Puppy
Prepare Yourself Before Getting a New Puppy

Getting a new puppy in the house shouldn’t be handled in a trivial manner! This event must be well thought out and prepared so that the arrival of this new member of the family happens in the best possible conditions. For a puppy, the entry in your home marks the beginning of his new life, without his mother, in a new environment. If you want to make your furry friend feel at home quickly, it is important to know his needs and to establish a code of good conduct. Your puppy will occupy an important place in your life, whether you live in a big or small apartment, the main thing is to comply with some basic rules.

 

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Things to Consider When  Getting a New Puppy 

Many people tend to consider their dogs as an extension of the family, and some even treat them as humans! This isn’t recommended, because it is very often the primary cause of behavioral problems by the dog.

When getting a new puppy, choose a period where you will be available (holidays, weekends, rest days) to adopt your puppy. For him, to leave his mother and his brothers and sisters, to find himself in an unknown place, with strangers, noises he does not know is a hard test. It’s up to you to reassure him by caresses and a lot of attention.

Upon arrival, you must let the puppy get to know his new environment. In your apartment or house, choose a corner for your puppy, preferably calm and easy to access, and far from all potential sources of an accident. Particular attention should also be given to electrical wires, trash cans, toxic products, and open windows with a draft.

Maintaining Some General Rules

Dogs must be educated at an early age to avoid overflowing and disobedience later. And while some teachers choose to entrust this responsibility to a canine educator, others take care of it themselves. As a result, below are some basic rules which you have to maintain:

  1. Teach the puppy to answer his name

Your puppy must react when you call him, and he runs towards you. Moreover, the success of a puppy’s education depends entirely on the assimilation of his name. A little tip! Make life easier by giving it a nickname consisting of up to two syllables.

  1. Teach cleanliness to the little dog

It is usually the dog’s cleanliness around the home that masters fear the most because once a dirty habit settles, it will be afterward very difficult to put the dog in the right way. Hence the need to do it as soon as possible, specifically between four and six months. Otherwise, the dog may regularly pee and poop in your home or apartment. The secret to the success of this business will depend mainly on your sense of anticipating your needs.

You should easily identify the moment when your dog needs to use the toilet since by observing the animal, you will see that he needs to ease himself. Also, impose a ritual program at fixed times when you take him to use the toilet. The three key moments are usually after waking up, after lunch and in the evening before bedtime.

  1. Teach your puppy to wear a collar and walk on a leash

No stroll or exit outside will be possible without the essential leash. And here, the goal is also to familiarize the dog with this accessory. That’s why before putting the leash for the outside walk, start by getting him used to wearing his collar. Strangler, classic or harness, no matter which model you have chosen, the puppy will probably try during the first days to remove his collar. Tighten it enough so that the dog cannot pass his legs, or it could hurt himself. Once the dog has adapted, you can continue by teaching it to walk on a leash.

  1. Teach your puppy the respect of his space

Even if you want your new pet to share every important moment of your daily life, a puppy must have his own space for both his balance and his well-being. It is usually a quiet place in the house where his basket and bowl will be installed. It is indeed essential to limit the territories of each so that the dog does not invade the places of life of its owners.

On the other hand, it is also a very effective way to keep it away from your guests if you receive friends and relatives, for example. The use of a lanyard will be necessary throughout this learning since it is through this cord that you will show him the limits of his space, as well as the borders of yours.

  1. Teach your puppy to socialize

When a dog has not been socialized from an early age, living in a community can be very difficult. Not to mention the consequences of his character. Is your puppy scared? Does he attack people who are foreign to him and other dogs? Is he nervous when you take him to a place he does not know? Is the dog too possessive with his things? Is he easily approached by the groomer or the veterinarian?

If you are facing these signs, you must react as quickly as possible and take care of his socialization. In his first month, gradually try to get him used to different smells, noises, places, other dogs, not to mention pets including the cat. Take it regularly to busy places where there are many people.

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What to Get a New Puppy Owner?

Your puppy will soon arrive in his new home, and he will need many things that you must acquire or prepare in advance so that he does not miss anything at his arrival. Some of these include:

  1. A bowl of water and a container for the food of your puppy

When it comes to containers, start with solid material because your puppy may be abusing his new accessories. Depending on your dog’s size, the weight of the container will be important. Indeed, a bowl too light will be reversed at first licks if your pup is large.

As a reminder, your puppy must always have fresh water available, and it should be easily accessible as well.

  1. A leash and a necklace

You can use a nylon collar due to its resistance, simplicity of cleaning and its hypoallergenic side. Do not be afraid to take a larger size because your dog will grow in a short time and the collar may get too small quickly.

To effectively choose the right size for your puppy, measure his choker at the widest point. If you can, go try the collar with your puppy to make sure he does not over-tighten it and that he will not hurt himself at the same time.

As for choosing the leash, once again opt for nylon. We do not advise roll-up leashes because they will not allow you to teach your dog to walk correctly and moreover; they are the source of many accidents.

  1. A transport crate

You will often have to carry your puppy by car to go to the vet or go for a walk. With a transport crate, your dog will be safe in your vehicle, besides his place will be clearly defined.

  1. Toys

Essential elements for education, awakening, and strengthening your complicity, quality toys must be made available for your dog. At the beginning of its existence, your puppy discovers each object and risks destroying them by biting them. Avoid foam toys to avoid the risk of suffocation, and use robust and durable rubber toys.

  1. The house for puppy

Your puppy may be the king of mischief during your absence and may also be experiencing separation anxiety. In this case, it may destroy your furniture or other, and for its safety, we recommend that you opt for a dog crate when you are not at home.

The dog crate should not be seen as a punishment, and your dog should never be placed in it if he has just made a mistake. You have to get him to go on his own by first placing treats inside and leaving the door open. It must be its place, its comfort zone.

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Where Should a New Puppy Sleep?

A comfortable bed should be made available for your puppy to sleep. Find a quiet place for your new friend where you can install his sleeping materials. Avoid noisy places or places of passage. Your dog should have his home in which he can rest quietly without being continuously disturbed. Tell your children that this is his place of rest and that it is out of the question to bother him when he is in his crate.

Where can I get a new puppy?

If you have decided to get a new puppy, below are some options available as regards where to get it:

  1. Pet shops

Often when we choose to buy a puppy, our first idea is to go to a pet shop as they usually have a lot of pet supplies.

  1. Breeders

If you are looking for a purebred puppy, in particular, it is best to visit a breeder. But be careful: an honest breeder usually devotes himself to a single breed of dog (sometimes two, but rarely more), and he will never be reluctant to show you around his premises as a whole. Ask to see where the dog sleeps, where they play, what they eat, meet the puppy’s parents, etc.

If the breeder does not accept these basic requirements, you may be dealing with a dishonest person who operates what is called a “puppy mill.”

  1. Shelters

If you want to give a second chance to an abandoned animal, a refuge is a place to find a puppy.  It is rare to find very small puppies in shelters, but this happens, for example, when a pregnant female has been abandoned. However, the animals proposed for adoption are still vaccinated, treated against intestinal parasites and sterilized, and their temperament and behavior problems, if any, are already known.

  1. Classified ads

It is possible to find a puppy on the Internet. All options are available to you: the person who, because of illness or moving, is unable to take care of his faithful companion and looking for a right family, breeders, individuals, etc.

When a New Puppy Cries at Night?

During the first nights, your puppy may cry. Do not go and hug the puppy. It will only reinforce his malaise. You must ignore him, and in a few days, he will be used to his new home.

In conclusion, getting a new puppy usually comes with some responsibilities which can be handled without any hassles as highlighted above.