What Should You Know Before Getting a New Puppy?

19 February, 2023 | by Arrow T Pets

Pets are a lot of fun to play with and make excellent cuddling companions. In a nutshell, puppies are wonderful companions and incredible sources of comfort when we are down or anxious. However, in addition to the benefits of owning a new puppy, you must also be prepared to care for it, as the first few months in your home are critical for its development.

Even if your heart is ready to smother a dog in love, you must first consider whether you have the time, space, and resources to welcome a new family member. After all, before you and your family accept a rescued dog into your home, you must make a significant commitment to animal care.

Tips on Bringing A New Puppy Home

Before actually bringing your new best friend home, it’s best to prepare yourself and the living space. Make sure it is safe for the puppy to explore and that they have their own space within your home. Here are some other tips you might want to consider as well:

Puppy Proofing Your Home

Your house is an adventure playground for a puppy. Puppy-proof your pad to protect the new puppy and save your belongings.

Put away any chewable items that can be swallowed. Make electrical cabling safe by hiding it behind furniture or covering the cables. Close off access to areas where puppy pee or poop could cause damage.

When you believe the job is finished, descend to the floor level yourself. Examine under the sofa and in places you would only sometimes look. This may sound silly, but it’s a great way to ensure you pay attention to everything.

Take Your Puppy to the Vet

Ask around to find a local veterinarian you trust. Look for a vet with a good reputation, who enjoys working with animals and has modern facilities.

A good clinic will walk you through puppy vaccinations, deworming, parasite control, and desexing. It’s a good litmus test for their helpfulness and whether you can entrust your pup to them. A 24/7 Online Vet, an always there team of licensed veterinarians ready to answer newbie questions, is another excellent addition to a vet clinic.

Check the location of the nearest emergency clinic as well, so you know where to go if you need it. Having an emergency fund to cover unexpected veterinary expenses is a good idea. The last thing you want to think about when you have a puppy emergency is money.

Prepare Your Puppy Supply and Needs

Like a new baby, a new puppy comes with a shopping list. Instead of a crib, you’ll need a crate and items like a dog bed or two) food and water bowls, and a collar and leash.

The following items are required for a puppy:

Purchase two dog beds, one for use and one to replace when the first is washed.
Food and water bowls made of stainless steel or ceramic;
Toys: Choose items that the puppy will not be able to swallow.
Cleaning supplies include disposable paper, disinfectant, and rubber gloves.
Crate: To aid in potty training.
Treats are an essential part of training.
Food: Puppy food that is appropriate for your dog’s size and age;
Get the puppy used to the collar and leash as soon as possible.
Brush and comb: Begin grooming the puppy so that it accepts it.

To honestly care for a puppy, you must first understand how a puppy thinks. Find reputable sources, such as the ASPCA or local animal hospitals, to learn more about raising a puppy. The more you understand, the happier your dog will be.

Training Your New Puppy

Crate Training

A crate, like a den, provides a secure environment for your new puppy. Select a crate that is just large enough for the puppy to lie down with their legs stretched out. If you choose a larger one, they may have a toilet in a corner. Place a warm bed and a blanket inside, preferably one that smells like the dog’s mother.

Never force a puppy to sleep in a crate. Make it a happy place instead of hiding treats inside. Praise your puppy when he finds the treats. Feed your puppy inside the crate so that they associate it with good things.

If your puppy cries, do not let them out of their puppy crate because this reinforces their crying. Instead, only open the door when they are quiet, demonstrating to them that calmness is desirable.

Never use a puppy crate to punish your dog or confine your puppy for more than four hours at a time.

Potty Training

Your puppy must learn where to relieve himself otherwise they would be spreading their pee all over your house. The key to accomplishing this is consistency.

To accomplish this, you must:

Preventing accidents in the home;
Provide frequent restroom breaks;
When your puppy goes to the right place, praise them.
Keep a close eye on your puppy and limit their chances of peeing indoors. If your puppy squats, take them outside right away. Put him in his crate when you can’t keep an eye on your puppy.

Allow your puppy a bathroom break:

Approximately every 20-30 minutes;
While out walking;
15 minutes after eating;
Before beginning to play;
Before going to bed.

Repeat the cue word like toilet and give your puppy a treat when he squats on the toilet spot. This should be done every time your puppy goes to the bathroom. They’ll quickly associate peeing in the proper location with receiving a reward. Simple!

How to Prevent Too Much Barking

A puppy barking will annoy your neighbors and make you unpopular in an apartment. Avoid this by instilling good habits in your puppy from the start.

Never, ever reward your puppy for barking. Unfortunately, yelling at your puppy to be quiet accomplishes this. Ignore those first exploratory barks from your puppy. Barking becomes less appealing if they learn it isn’t rewarded.

Some breeds are born to bark. Recognize this and wait for a lull in the barking before distracting the dog with a squeaky toy. Then summon the dog and train it to pick up the toy. They are less likely to bark when they have a toy in their mouth. Reward them for carrying the toy now. Your puppy will soon learn to pick up a toy instead of woofing.

How to Make Them Stop Chewing Stuff and Why Do They Chew on Things?

The answer to this question is dependent on the dog who is chewing. The three most common reasons your belongings are destroyed are:

Dog teething
Boredom
Anxiety about Separation

It’s a natural behavior for puppies and growing dogs. Puppies enjoy exploring everything, and they do so by sniffing, licking, and chewing on objects.

However, problems can arise when your furry friend nibbles on your beautiful wooden furniture or the new carpet. Of course, if they’re teething, gnawing on anything they can get their paws on will help relieve their pain.

Puppies require chewing. The trick is to get them to chew on their material rather than yours.

Puppy proofing is essential to prevent your puppy from getting its teeth into your shoes, books, or clothes. Next, you’ll need to provide a chewing outlet for your puppy. Make your chew toys for your puppy. Bored puppies are great chewers, so keep them entertained and active.

If, on the other hand, you have an older dog who suddenly starts chewing or chews things when you’re not home, it’s possible that it’s not normal puppy chewing, but a clear-cut destructive behavior. When your dog is stressed or bored, he or she may channel that energy into chewing.

Leash Training

When you have plenty of time, begin leash training! With your puppy on a leash, proceed. When your puppy runs ahead, change direction and call him. Only walk forward as long as the leash is slack. Change direction as soon as the puppy pulls and calls to them.

Pulling teaches the puppy that it stops progress and gets them nowhere fast. They’ll discover that walking to the heel gets them to an exciting location faster, like the park.

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