Puppies are one of the world’s greatest sources of joy. They are playful, cuddly, and above all, adorable. Nevertheless, taking care of a puppy isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. There’s a fair amount of potty training to go around too.
Taking care of your new puppy doesn’t have to be difficult, you’ll just need to know how to go about it. Here are five of our best tips and tricks that make raising a puppy feel like a breeze…
Provide Plenty of Exercise and Play
Puppies have immense amounts of energy, so you’ll need to exhaust them at the end of the day. However, make sure that they are fully vaccinated before you take them too far away from home or begin socialising them with other animals. Remember, they are still young so look out for them if they are getting too tired.
Don’t Skip the Potty Training
As tempting as it may seem, you cannot skip potty training. They won’t learn eventually; you’ll need to teach them first! There are tons of different methods you can employ; we recommend looking out for “tell-tale” signs and taking them outside to the same designated wee spot. Encourage this behaviour and reward them with treats or praise if they have a successful wee outside.
Streamline Puppy Care Procedures
Raising a puppy can often feel like you have hundreds of things to do at once. Although this may be true, there are certain things you can do to streamline your care procedures. For example, schedule all your veterinarian checks in advance or opt for online dog food delivery that automatically re-orders each month. You can also set up a standing order for poo bags and treats.
Consider Investing in Pet Insurance
Looking after your puppy isn’t’ all fun and games. You also have a responsibility to make sure they are healthy and happy. Veterinarian bills can add up whilst raising a dog, so we suggest that you invest in pet insurance. This can cover your pets in the case of an emergency and put your mind at ease. Most insurance companies will cover medication, operation, and laboratory costs. Make sure to compare policies before settling on the right one.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Not everyone is the biggest fan of the crate method but sometimes it helps avoid a pup-disaster whilst you’re away. Regardless, you should still try and puppy-proof your home so that they don’t require constant care and supervision. This includes removing toxic cleaning supplies out of the way, securing electrical cables, and installing pet doors for certain rooms of your home.
Lastly, puppies require a great deal of patience and attention, so if you’re not prepared to offer this, it may not be a good fit for your family. Similarly, whether you adopt or purchase a puppy, you are making a life-long commitment to care for them. Regardless of the circumstances, a puppy isn’t a toy or Christmas present that can simply be discarded when they grow up.
