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Getting a new puppy is super exciting. But puppies are a lot of work and you have to be sure that your puppy is going to get the care that they need. It’s a good idea to wait until you can dedicate some time to your puppy, possibly by taking some vacation days to help them settle into your new home. However, even if you’re not able to do this, you can take some steps to give your puppy a good start. Settling into a new home can be tough for any dog, but might be especially hard for a puppy that’s just left its mother. To create a happy and well-adjusted dog, here are some things you should do for your puppy.
Start Training Right Away
Puppies can start learning new things from an early age. You can begin to teach your new puppy the essentials as soon as possible, from potty training to sitting and staying. It’s definitely helpful to get some professional help with training. You can even use a dog day care that provides training for your puppy. While you’re busy at work or with other things, your dog receives the attention and training that they need. But be sure to reinforce their training at home too.
Provide a Safe Environment
Just like if you were bringing a baby home, you need to create an environment that’s safe for your puppy. Puppies will try to get into everything and can get hurt if you don’t take steps to protect them. Firstly, think about creating a safe space for your puppy. That might mean giving them a crate that they can go to for some peace and quiet or using a baby gate to stop them from getting into some parts of your home. Keeping your home tidy will help to ensure your puppy doesn’t start chewing on any random object that it happens to find.
Get Into a Good Routine
Routines are good for everyone, including dogs. Your puppy can quickly get used to a new routine and start to expect what’s going to happen each day. It’s not only good for your puppy but it helps you to make owning and caring for a puppy easier too. You can help your puppy get into a good routine by feeding them at the same time each day, going for walks at the same time, scheduling playtime, and generally creating a consistent schedule.
Socialize Your Puppy
Get your puppy used to other dogs and people as soon as you can. Spending time around others will help your puppy to learn social skills, both with other dogs and with humans. They can learn a lot from spending time with older dogs, who can teach them doggie manners. It’s your job to teach them how to act around people, though. So make sure that you’re providing the right training to help your puppy behave as expected.
Start off on the right foot with your puppy if you want to end up with a happy and healthy dog.
