In case you weren’t aware, National Puppy Day is right around the corner on March 23. If you have been considering bringing a new pup into your home, now is the time to act! If you and your family are ready, here are some tips for when you bring home your soon-to-be family member!
Children: First and foremost, make sure that not only are you ready for the new addition, but that the new dog will be ready for your home. If you have younger children, be sure to always have proper supervision during puppy-child interactions. Children may try to show affection to the animal, but could instead end up harming it. In return, the pup may try to end the scary situation by nipping or scratching at the child, resulting in a bad outcome for both sides. Give the puppy a safe sanctuary where he can go to be alone for times when he, or your child, is too excited.
Potty Training: Take your new pup out frequently and show praise when they make it outside, whether you do that through a treat, or through positive reinforcement. Puppies take a lot of patience. Accidents happen, but having patience is key. Try to correct mistakes early on in the process so they don’t become a habit. Simply remove the puppy from where the accident occurred and place them where you would like them to go. Keeping a schedule of when your pet needs to go outside will also help eliminate accidents, while keeping you and your pet on track. You should expect more accidents than not. You will need to be diligent and patient in your training, but they’ll get it sooner or later and will be on the road to being a good adult dog. If you don’t have the patience for potty training, you should think about getting an adult dog that has already been trained.
Diet: Puppies need a high-caloric intake during their time of rapid growth. It is suggested that puppies can transition to solid food when they’re about four weeks old, during the time when they can no longer get the calories they need from nursing. It may still be necessary, however, to moisten the dry food to make it easier for your pup to consume.
Teething: A puppy’s teeth begin to come in when they are around 16 weeks old. From here, the world is their chew toy, and owners are not off limits …namely fingers. Never let a puppy chew on your fingers as play. If that happens, remove your fingers and replace them with an appropriate chew toy. It may seem fun when your puppy is still small, but as the dog grows those teeth will get larger. When the nipping and biting ends and the chewing on appropriate items begins, reward your pup with praise. Talk with the folks at your local pet store about appropriate chew toys for puppies.
Vaccinations: Vaccinations are crucial during the first year of your puppy’s life. Be sure your pup has had all of its vaccinations before you take them to a dog park or let them interact with other dogs. Until their vaccinations are complete their immune systems are not fully developed and they are susceptible to disease. Check with your vet about the vaccinations necessary for your pup.
Bringing home an energetic bundle of joy is not only wonderful, but it is also a huge commitment in all areas including time, financial resources, and especially, patience. If you are not ready for this responsibility, then do not rush into adding a new member to your family. However, if your household is yearning for a new pup, then following these steps above is a great start to a lifetime of happiness with your new pal.
Learn more about the Everett Animal Shelter. Plan a visit, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check out all of our adoptable pets. And be sure to watch our featured Pet of the Week on the Everett Channel.
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