Preparing for Life with a New Puppy

Caring for a new puppy can be a challenging task. However, it is essential as the puppy will be totally dependent on you to keep it safe and ensure its needs are met. This will require an active approach by the puppy's owner, but individuals will often underestimate this as they are adjusting to life as a pet owner.

Take the Time to Remove Potential Harm

Prior to bringing your pet home, you should take the time to review the potential threats in the home to the animal. A safe rule of thumb is to simply assume that everything that the puppy can reach may be prone to be chewed. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult behavior to control due to the puppy's need for teething. To help reduce the risk of your puppy damaging important items or ingesting potentially dangerous materials, you should remove any items that are within the reach of your puppy to a higher elevation.

Appreciate the Benefits of Socialization

A dog that is well-socialized can be far easier to control around other people and animals. When a dog is not given the chance to spend time around new people, animals, and situations, it can become overwhelmed. A dog that is in an over-excited and overwhelmed state can be extremely difficult to control, which can put it at a greater risk of suffering injury or getting into trouble. Making sure to socialize the animal from an early age will help it to become comfortable and familiar around these situations. Owners that are planning on boarding their dogs should be particularly diligent about this due to the need for the dog to be well-behaved while at the boarding facility.

Create a Medication Schedule

Sadly, there are many dogs that suffer from chronic medical conditions. When individuals fail to effectively manage the symptoms of their pet's condition, it can experience serious complications. Missing dosages of important medications will be among the most common mistakes that pet owners will make. As with people, taking medications exactly as they are prescribed will be important for making sure that they are effective with your pet.

To avoid missing dosages, you should create a daily medication schedule, this schedule will allow you to ensure that your pet's medications are being administered on a regular and set schedule. In addition to helping you to keep your pet on schedule, this will make it easier to provide care instructions to boarding facilities, friends, family and any other parties that may need to watch your pet while you are away or unable. If you need help, a veterinarian will help you know what is best for your puppy.