HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PUPPY AND 10 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN TAKING CARE

Adopting a puppy is very thrilling, but it can also be somewhat nerve-wracking. Owning a pet comes with significant duties, and your new furry companion will require more than just meals and affection to flourish. Understanding how to take care of a puppy may seem daunting occasionally, but our manual is available to assist you in becoming an excellent pet owner. Let’s find out with Petlandlover!

10 Things to know when take care of a puppy

Stock up on essential puppy supplies

Begin by ensuring you have all the essential supplies for taking care of a puppy. Some key items you should have include:

• Enclosure like a crate, kennel, or playpen
• Bed or comfortable bedding for your dog
• Food and water dishes
• Chew toy for teething
• Collar for identification
• Waste bags for cleaning up after your puppy

If you’re unsure about what specific products to get for your puppy, you can download a checklist of necessary supplies to have a comprehensive guide that you can consult whenever needed.

Prepare your home for the puppy

Similar to young children, puppies have a natural curiosity that drives them to explore their surroundings. This can lead them into potentially dangerous situations, so it’s important to puppy-proof your home to keep them safe. Create a secure environment for your new furry family member by ensuring they are kept away from hazards such as:

• Harmful chemicals and toxins
• Electrical cords and wires
• Carpets and rugs
• Plants (Refer to ASPCA’s list of poisonous plants)
• Fragile items
• Garbage
• Valuable objects

Additionally, remember to regularly clean the floors to eliminate any small objects that your puppy could ingest and choke on.

Welcome your puppy with love

The connection you form with your new puppy starts as soon as they come into your home. You can enhance this connection by showing them love, playing with them, grooming them, training them, and engaging in activities such as dog sports or dog shows.

Here are some tips to help your puppy feel comfortable and secure in their new environment:

• Learn about the breed in advance to know their specific requirements
• Choose a name for your puppy and use it frequently
• Allow them to sleep on your chest so they can feel your warmth and hear your heartbeat.

Give your puppy a safe space

Households can be busy and noisy. With people coming and going, kids playing, appliances running, and music on, it may seem like your puppy is unfazed by all the commotion. However, it’s important to provide them with a quiet retreat where they can escape from the hustle and bustle. Setting up a safe space like a kennel, crate, or bed allows your puppy to have a peaceful area to relax and recharge.

While your puppy may resist at first, they will soon come to appreciate their designated spot. This helps them learn independence and avoid becoming overly attached. It can be tough, but try not to overwhelm your puppy with constant attention. Giving them room to grow and develop confidence on their own will benefit them in the long run.

Get pet insurance and go to the vet

After bringing your new puppy home, it is important to schedule a visit with a primary care veterinarian within a few days. During the exam, the vet will examine your puppy’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, coat, lungs, heart, and vital signs. They will also discuss a vaccination schedule, deworming schedule, recommended diet, and essential care tips.

To make the first vet visit a positive experience for both you and your puppy, take some steps to prepare:

• Take your puppy on a few car rides before the appointment to avoid associating cars with fear of the vet.
• Introduce your puppy to the waiting room to acclimate them to the new environment.
• Stay calm during the appointment to prevent stressing out your puppy.

Before the first appointment, consider getting puppy insurance to help reduce future vet expenses. With a pet insurance policy, you can be reimbursed for covered treatments up to 100% after meeting your deductible. Signing up early allows you to maximize the benefits of your policy and ensure that no pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.

Vaccinate, microchip, and spay or neuter

During the first six months of your puppy’s life, it is important to make regular visits to the veterinarian. These visits include an initial health check to rule out any genetic conditions and a vaccination schedule to protect your puppy from contagious diseases.

It is recommended to have your puppy spayed or neutered around six months of age, as supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Delaying this procedure can increase the risk of cancer in male dogs and tumors in female dogs, as well as the risk of unintended pregnancies and injuries while searching for a mate.

Consider discussing microchipping with your vet as well. A microchip is a permanent form of identification that can help reunite you with your pet if they ever get lost or stolen.

Provide a healthy diet and exercise

Another important tip for taking care of a puppy is to ensure they have a nutritious diet. Choose high-quality pet food designed for growing puppies that is rich in nutrients. It’s best to consult with your vet to select the right food for your puppy’s nutritional requirements, but starting with AAFCO-approved brands that have been analyzed for nutrients and/or undergone clinical trials is a good idea. Make sure your puppy always has access to clean water and avoid feeding them any human foods that are unsafe for dogs.

In addition to a healthy diet, your puppy will also need plenty of exercise to help them burn off excess energy. Once your vet gives the green light that your puppy is fully vaccinated, take them on regular walks and engage in lots of playtime. Be prepared for a fun commitment that may involve some nipping, sharp teeth, and bursts of energy.

Start puppy socialization ASAP

It is beneficial to expose your puppy to different sounds, situations, and individuals in the initial weeks and months. A properly socialized puppy will develop into a polite adult dog and handle various scenarios they may face in the future.

Although socialization continues during the first year, the initial three months are vital for puppies to familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

Work on obedience, leash and potty training

Start learning how to train a puppy as soon as possible. Obedience training is crucial for a puppy’s confidence and development into a well-mannered adult. Teaching commands like Sit, Wait, and Leave It can help with obedience and impulse control.

Leash training is important for your puppy’s safety and lays the foundation for teaching basic commands such as come, sit, and stay.

Potty training is essential for correcting inappropriate behaviors early on. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks, so provide them with opportunities to go in a designated spot after meals or drinks. Accidents may occur, so be ready, patient, and consistent.

Training your dog requires a lot of patience, but having a well-behaved companion will make all the hard work worthwhile.

Stay on top of routine pet care

Regular or preventative care is very important for young dogs. Puppies are more vulnerable to sudden illnesses in their first few months, which can be serious if not detected and treated promptly. If you notice symptoms like poor weight gain, vomiting, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, constipation, or coughing, make sure to contact your veterinarian. This advice on dog care is crucial for the entire life of your pet.

Furthermore, make sure to schedule regular visits to the vet for yearly wellness check-ups, and remember that your puppy will require booster shots.

Utilize your pet insurance plan to help cover the costs of caring for a puppy and give them a healthy start in life. Pawlicy Advisor can assist you in comparing pet insurance plans from top providers to find the most suitable option for your puppy.

FAQs on Puppy Care

How to take care of a puppy at night

When it comes to caring for your puppy at night, we recommend following these guidelines:

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine.
• Choose a specific sleeping area for your puppy and stick to it.
• Keep the bedtime environment calm and offer praise when your puppy settles in the designated spot.
• Initially, sleep in the same room with your puppy to help them adjust to being away from their mother.
• If possible, place an item with the mother’s scent near the puppy’s sleeping area for comfort.
• Be prepared for nighttime bathroom breaks.
• It’s fine to comfort your puppy if they cry or bark at night until they become more comfortable sleeping alone.

How long can a puppy be left alone during the day?

Once your puppy has settled in at your home, you can leave them in their crate for an hour or longer. It’s important to remember that puppies need to go to the bathroom frequently.

Typically, puppies under ten weeks old are unable to hold their bladder for more than one hour. Puppies between ten and 12 weeks old can usually hold it for about two hours, while three-month-old puppies can hold it for approximately one hour for each month of their age. Dogs over six months old can typically hold their bladder for up to six hours, but it’s not recommended to leave even adult dogs alone for longer than six to eight hours without a potty break.

How to take care of a puppy while working

Owning a puppy while working full time can pose challenges, but there are ways to manage it:

• If possible, bring your puppy to work with you.
• Discuss the option of working from home with your boss, especially in the beginning when your puppy is adjusting.
• Before leaving for work, ensure your puppy gets enough exercise to help them rest while you’re away.
• Try to visit your puppy during lunchtime and engage them in activities like socializing, exercising, and playing before leaving for extended periods.

How much does it cost to take care of a puppy?

The costs for the initial year of owning a puppy range from $1,600 to $2,000. This covers expenses such as food, grooming, training, boarding or doggy daycare, toys, preventive treatments, veterinary care, spaying or neutering, and pet insurance.