So you have finally decided to bring home a cute puppy – ahh, the feeling of having a four-legged buddy run around you in circles! These furry friends are no doubt the most adorable pets on the planet. But let us tell you, simply playing with these cute bundles of joy will not be enough, as you need to do a good parenting job and that is surely no walk in the park!
It requires you to be well-informed about their eating habits, the health issues they’re prone to and other details to make sure your pooch is hale and hearty! There are a lot of things that you must know and be prepared of it before getting your four-legged friend home. Well, here we have mentioned some parenting tips that’ll help you take proper care of your new family member.
1. Visit a veterinarian
Once you’ve got your dog home, ensure that your first visit with your new friend is to a good veterinarian in order to get them completely checked as well as for future guidance. It will not only help you make sure that your pooch is healthy and free from diseases, but also provide you with the required information for his good grooming.
If you are not sure as to which vet you should be visiting, then ask for recommendation from your friends or family who already have puppies. But if you have adopted him from a shelter, then you can simply ask for advice from their experts. At times, even groomers and local dog walkers could suggest you good ideas on parenting.
2. Ask for full details
Take full advantage of your first visit by asking your vet all the necessary information regarding your dog. For example, you can ask them questions like what is the right nutrition plan for your puppy, what amount of food you should give him, how often should you feed him, how to keep him away from diseases, what are the possible signs of disease, how to groom him, what type of brush, comb or pet clipper should you use, when should the dog be vaccinated, etc. This was you’ll be able to take better care of your furry buddy!
3. Buy quality food
According to your vet’s recommendation, shop for quality food and until he reaches 2 years of age serve him food with puppy kibbles. Also, make sure that he has fresh and abundant water available 24 hours. According to the breed and size of the mongrel, fix the number of times you’ll be serving him meal in a day.
Here are some of the most commonly recommended plans for dogs:
- For puppies of 6 to 12 weeks, feed them 4 meals in a day
- For a 3 to 6 months old dog, provide them 3 meals in a day
- For pooches who are 6 to 12 months old, give them 2 meals in a day
4. Fix a bathroom routine
Housetraining is the topmost priority in the dog parenting tips list because some puppies don’t like wearing a diaper. Moreover, it’s good to teach him bathroom etiquettes at the right age. It will keep your home clean as well as reduce the spread of disease and viruses.
Don’t forget to appreciate him when he manages to pee or potty at the right place by giving him a treat or toy. Also, don’t be afraid to punish him when he accidentally or deliberately defecates indoor. This will help you develop the right habit in him at the right age.
Here are some common times to take your dog out to pee or potty:
- Right after you wake up
- Before going to bed
- When he drinks or eats a lot.
- When he wakes up
- After doing physical exercise
5. Teach Manners
It’s always better to teach obedience to your furry friend for a positive social interaction. In addition, it also helps build a strong bond between you and your buddy. The basic training to give your pup is to teach him to follow your commands like sit down, stand up, come here, eat etc. This will impress your friends as well as keep the dog in control to escape any hazardous situation.
If your doggy is not following your instructions, then you could also take help of obedience classes for him. Normally these classes accept puppies that are of 4 to 6 months of age.
6. Be aware of signs of illness
For the initial months, dogs are more susceptible to disease and if the disease is not identified on time, it could be a serious problem. So, whenever you see symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme tiredness, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, lack of appetite, red or swollen eyes, difficulty in passing urine or stool etc. then don’t waste even a minute and immediately take him to the veterinarian to fix the problem.
With proper care and right parenting, your puppy will not only grow faster, be fit and nimble, but you will also get more time to enjoy his company.
