Mary Allen
A big task is approaching on little paws: with a puppy in the household, there are many things to consider. In addition to the right diet and equipment, there are primarily food, training, and health issues that you should consider so that your new four-legged friend feels comfortable right from the start.
What Should be Considered When Choosing a Puppy?
Whether it’s a pedigree dog or an unplanned litter: Ideally, you should visit your future dog several times before you take it home. You can draw conclusions about his character and temperament from his behavior in the pack. There is sometimes susceptibility to hereditary diseases in pedigree dogs. Therefore, if possible, also look at the parent animals. The move of the puppy to its new home should never take place before the eighth, preferably from the twelfth week of life. Here you can find out what else you should consider when buying a puppy.
How Do You Train Puppies?
Even puppies need consistent training. It is important for the pack animal to know its place in the hierarchy. The sooner the dog realizes that you’re the alpha animal, the less trouble you’ll have with training it. A clearly defined position in the family gives the dog-child security and balance. Of course, the upbringing of a puppy must be consistent but always done lovingly and playfully. Scolding and punishment are not appropriate methods of gaining an animal’s respect and trust. In a dog school, you will learn how to properly discipline your puppy and give it positive encouragement, for example with treats.
What Should be Considered During the Binding Phase?
Please don’t overdo it with training, especially not at the beginning: the little dog is at a loss at first – everything around him is new and smells strange. He doesn’t yet know what to think of you like the new pack leader. Give him time to explore and bond with you. The best way to achieve this is to spend some time with him at eye level, i.e. romping around with him on all fours. With the brightest possible sounds, you attract his attention. Many dog schools offer play classes for puppies where the animals can play with each other. It’s good to take advantage of such offers – especially so that your puppy gets contact with other dogs. It offers the little one an opportunity for socialization and you can exchange ideas with other dog owners.
How do Puppies Become Housebroken?
Be prepared to deal with some of your puppy’s initial mishaps before they’re housebroken. A young dog must learn where to do his business. He also doesn’t have control over his bladder yet. So take your dog outside regularly where it has the opportunity to detach itself. It is also important to plan enough time in the first few weeks. In fact, it’s best to take a week or two off if you can. Watch your dog closely. As soon as the little one gets restless, that’s a sign that he might “have to”. Then you should go outside with him. If he has emptied his bladder, he gets a reward – and quickly learns that he is doing everything right.
What is the Puppy Diet Like?
The transition from the safe, familiar environment with the mother and littermates to the new life as a housemate initially means stress for the little sleuth, which can upset the stomach. You make it easier for the animal to get used to it by initially giving it the same food that it was given before. As a rule, the breeders give a few portions for the first few days. Food manufacturers have a variety of products in their range that are tailored to the special needs of dog breeds and puppies. To give the growing dog an extra portion of calcium, you can add some quark or cottage cheese to the food. Ideally, feed your pup three to four times a day at set times and remove the bowl as soon as he moves away from the feeding station. Puppies grow in two stages: First, the skeleton is built, followed by muscle mass. Large dog breeds grow slower than small ones. The amount of food depends on the breed and weight of your four-legged friend. Observe the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations, because too many vitamins in certain growth phases can also harm your dog.
How Should I Care for My Puppy Dog?
Depending on the breed, dogs require different amounts of care. Dog breeds with floppy ears need regular ear checks, while long-haired dogs need consistent grooming. Get your puppy used to dental checks, grooming, and a comb and brush as early as possible.
There are a number of preventive health measures to follow when it comes to puppies. The first deworming and vaccinations against hepatitis, distemper, and rabies as well as infectious diseases such as parvovirus and leptospirosis should have taken place at the age of three to four months. Regular visits to the vet in the first year are not only important for this reason: your dog’s growth and weight will also be checked. If there are deviations – such as from the growth curve that exists for pedigree dogs – the veterinarian can take the necessary measures.
When Do You Get Puppies Used to a Collar and Leash?
Even young dogs should wear the collar and accept the initially annoying cloak as a normal accessory. Many breeders give the little dogs a puppy collar to take with them to their new home. When choosing a suitable collar, you should make sure that it fits the puppy well and that it is well made. Ideally, the collar is lightly padded. Leash walking is the next challenge for you and your pup. In order to get your dog on a leash, it is important that you never get involved in pulling and wrestling games. However, this is also a complex topic, because dog owners can do a lot wrong. Basically, a visit to a dog school is therefore always recommended. Not only will your dog learn a lot of new things: you will also learn how to behave towards him so that he understands you.
With a little empathy and patience, you can ensure that your clumsy sleuth gets a good start in the new pack. This is how you become a really good team and enjoy each other for a long time.