Mary Allen
The most popular time to get a puppy is without a doubt the summer, but there are also many who get a puppy around Christmas and New Year. It can make little extra demands on you as a new dog owner. Admittedly, most are free and have time for the new family member, but it can also be tricky when it is cold outside and the snow may be pouring down.
1. Make sure that nothing disturbs the puppy the first time after it comes home. Do not invite the whole fat family home this Christmas. A puppy is like a small child. It requires a lot of sleep and needs to be left alone sometimes.
2. Sleep with the puppy the first night so that it feels safe. Remember that it has just left its mother and littermates.
3. Be sure to take puppy leave. It is not enough to just be home for 2-3 weeks during a Christmas holiday.
4. Puppy-safe housing. Puppies are curious and want to try chewing and tasting everything. Away with “chew-friendly” cords and other objects that the puppy can injure himself on. Do not leave chocolate or nuts that the dog can put in its throat in front. Chocolate can be life-threatening for a dog.
5. Do not forget to ensure the puppy. Otherwise, it can be an expensive story if the worst happens, that the puppy injures himself or ingests something inappropriate.
6. It can be good to find out where the nearest veterinarian is if the puppy suddenly becomes ill.
7. Cold to pee and poop outside? From the puppy’s point of view, it is of course much nicer to do his needs indoors and avoid freezing his butt, but a good way to teach the puppy to palletize to pee and poop is to pick up the poop and put it in a specific place outdoors, wear then always get the puppy there when it needs to come out. Soon it has taken the plunge and strolls there for its own machine.
8. A dog that does not have that much fur gets easily cold around the stomach, put on a blanket or warm sweater. Remember not to be out for too long when it is cold.
9. It is important that the puppy learns to get along with other dogs, which can be difficult to satisfy in the winter. Visit dog cafes with the puppy where it can get to know other dogs in a warm and cozy environment.
10. When the dog is between 10 and 12 weeks, it may be time to sign up for a puppy course. In winter there are indoor courses.
11. When everyday life comes and school and work start up again, the dog must have a dog sitter.
12. Remember that a puppy needs both physical and mental stimulation. Hide toys for example. Dogs like and feel good about working with their head.
13. Even if the puppy was to Pelle or Lisa, it is never possible to place all responsibility for the dog on a child, even if they promised expensive and sacred to take care of the puppy and go for all the walks. A Christmas gift puppy is not a person’s responsibility. The ultimate responsibility always rests with the parent.