Caring for puppies is something that should be taken very seriously. A large percentage of puppies are later abandoned due to the fact that the owner was not fully prepared to care for another life. Many times, the owner realizes later on that he doesn’t have enough time, energy, or money to make the commitment.
To comprehend this immense responsibility, think of it as adding a new baby to your family. Constant supervision, care, attention, and love will be required by him. It’s a lot of hard work at first, but the results are very rewarding.
To fully understand what it means to care for a puppy, there are several aspects that you will be responsible for and that you should understand before you make the commitment.
Health
Caring for a puppy means constantly monitoring his health. As a new puppy owner, one of the first things you should do is to select a veterinarian and schedule an appointment. Common illnesses can be prevented in your new puppy by receiving certain vaccinations. Worms and fleas should be discussed with your vet as they can be a common problem for puppies. You will be responsible for always being on the lookout for signs that could indicate that your dog is sick. Healthy puppies have smooth skin, a clean coat, and bright eyes.
Sleep/Rest
Caring for a puppy also involves preparing a safe and cozy sleeping place. Choose which room he will sleep in ahead of time. If you decide to let him stay in your room, you should know that there could be howling, whimpering, and barking as the puppy deals with separation anxiety the first few nights. A good way to ease this transition is to bring his bedding to the breeder or shelter (wherever you receive him) a few days before taking him home to give the puppy a familiar object in your house.
Feeding
You will also be responsible for feeding your puppy each and every meal. Be certain that if you have other pets, each has his own set of bowls for water and food. Sharing bowls leads towards each pet trying to assert their dominance over each other and can cause territorial conflicts and bullying.
Also, the quantity of the food that you give him varies over time. Puppies eat much more frequently than older dogs and also have extremely different nutritional requirements. Therefore, it’s important to select the right type of dog food for each stage in his life. Typically, puppies 6 to 8 weeks old eat four times a day, 12 to 20 weeks old eat three times a day, and 20 weeks and older eat only twice a day.
Play/Exercise
Another aspect of caring for puppies that is very important not to overlook is play time and exercise. Make sure to establish a safe place where your puppy will be allowed to be himself. This may be indoors or outside, but for the first few months of your puppy’s life this area should be a controlled environment. Healthy growth and socialization can be encouraged by regularly playing with your puppy.
Also, make sure to buy appropriately sized toys for your puppy. He should have smaller toys if he is a small breed. However, for a larger breed of dog, small toys can be a choking hazard. Many variations of shapes and sizes are offered for most toys such as bones, ropes, stuffed animals, and balls.
Potty Training
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new puppy, but it’s very important to get right. It may take some time for your puppy to learn where and when to potty. Crate training is highly recommended as something to consider if you’re at work during the day.
Grooming/Cleaning
Proper upkeep, such as grooming and cleaning, are an essential part of puppy care. It will promote healthy development and growth as well as remove unpleasant odors. Most puppies love to be brushed so don’t be afraid to give it a try. It will remove dead hair and keep his coat beautiful. Also, don’t forget about brushing his teeth and gums regularly
Now that you understand what it takes to properly care for a puppy, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed, but you shouldn’t. Caring for a puppy is only difficult at first. The adjustment is the hardest part. Once you establish routines and good habits, the only thing left to do is enjoy the company and make memories together. The most important thing is to prepare your life for a puppy ahead of time to reduce the time it takes to adjust to your new family member.