Puppy Love: Raising a Healthy and Happy Dog from Day One

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a heartwarming and joyful experience. But it doesn’t come without challenges and responsibilities.

A dog's companionship can be lots of fun. Still, it’s necessary to remember that you’re responsible for teaching important behaviors and overseeing your dog’s wellness as a dog owner.

New puppies require frequent care, attention, and patience to grow into healthy and happy dogs. This guide will help you to raise your puppy from the moment you bring them home and through all of the things that you may or may not be aware of to stay prepared.

Preparation for Your New Puppy

The expert veterinarians and technicians from veterinary clinics in Woodbury advise that it’s vital to prepare your home before your new pup arrives. Puppy-proofing your home and creating a space designated for your dog will help your new companion adjust, relax, and feel secure more quickly.

Secure any potentially hazardous areas or things within the home, such as removing cords, plants, or other small objects your dog could chew or swallow. You should also purchase and have all of the essentials for the dog on hand, including:

• Crate and bedding
• Puppy food suitable for your dog’s breed and size
• Food and water bowls
• Collar
• Leash
• ID tags
• Dog-safe shampoo
• Grooming tools
• Chew toys
• Puppy treats

Treats and the crate, if needed, can be used for training. Ensure you have an appointment with your local vet or clinic for ongoing wellness and checkups. You can verify that the dog has received all necessary vaccinations up to adoption or purchase.

Feeding and Nutrition

Your dog’s nutrition is a fundamental aspect of their growth and overall health. It might be helpful to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet for your puppy based on age, size, and breed, which means you’ll have to adjust as your puppy grows and ages.

Most nutritional foods for dogs are high-quality foods with a good balance of proteins, fats, and essential nutrients. Ensure you keep your pup’s water bowl fresh and clean.

Puppies usually eat around three meals a day that are spaced out evenly. When you transition to adult puppy food, you can mix in amounts with their regular puppy food, decreasing the amount and frequency and increasing the adult food each time you feed.

Human foods can harm dogs, so it’s best not to encourage or feed your dog when it begs. Treats can be provided, but remember that most of their daily calories should come from food, with maybe just one or two daily treats.

Establish a Connection

Puppies must establish loyalty and trust, especially when young and impressionable. Determine who in the family will be the leading provider and has the most time to spend with the new puppy to establish that necessary bond.

Owners must speak to dogs calmly and reassuringly to encourage good behavior. You can also praise your dog with small treats and pets when they do something good, such as going to the bathroom outside or on a provided puppy pad for training.

Ensure that the primary puppy owner creates routines for activities like feeding, bathroom, playtime and exercise, and bedtime. Puppies do well with predictable schedules, so a structured routine helps them feel secure and happy in their new environment.

Veterinary Care

Regularly scheduled veterinary appointments are crucial for ensuring your puppy stays healthy. At the puppy stage, vets will guide you through a vaccination schedule to help protect your pup against various diseases, including distemper, rabies, and the dreaded canine parvovirus.

Veterinary checkups are also necessary for regular preventative care, where you can establish regular flea, tick, and heartworm medication for your puppy. Monitoring your dog’s health is a critical responsibility, so you can consult with your vet when you have concerns regarding symptoms such as changes in appetite, behavior, or energy levels.

These checkups can be used to ask about food and diet, regular brushings and dental care, and other topics. Your vet can recommend specific items to help manage your dog’s care.

Washing and Grooming

Grooming is another crucial part of your dog’s care. Regular brushing of their fur helps to keep their coat healthy while reducing shedding.

Washing your puppy should be done when necessary, generally not more than once a month unless they are dirty. Ensure you use dog-safe shampoos and trim back their nails regularly to prevent overgrowth or pain.

Socializing and Training

Training needs to begin the minute you bring your puppy home, and you can start with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Using positive reinforcement encourages the behavior you desire.

When you begin training, do it in short intervals, and try to have fun while keeping your puppy’s attention. Praise them with treats, play, or attention, and be sure to be repetitive with tasks and say things in the same tone to get your dog used to hearing the commands and obeying.

Socializing is necessary for a puppy’s training and should happen as soon as possible. Expose your dog to various people, and take it out in other environments for exploration and with other animals.

The more you train and socialize your dog, the more confident and well-adjusted it will grow up to be. For more structured sessions in a controlled setting, you may consider enrolling in a local or online puppy training class.

Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy For Life

Every dog has unique needs and challenges, so address unwanted events and behaviors by redirecting to a positive outcome. For example, if your dog chews on furniture or shoes, find an appropriate chew toy to redirect the dog’s behavior rather than scolding, as your puppy won’t understand.

Raising a puppy involves lots of love, but it also requires patience, work, and commitment. Being a responsible dog owner and providing proper care, training, exercise, nutrition, and socialization are all foundational elements for a happy and healthy dog for years to come.