Table of Contents
Introduction
I recently got a new puppy and I have to say, it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s also been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done! Now that my little bundle of fur is bigger (and cuter) than ever, it’s important to make sure she stays healthy and happy. Here are some tips on how you can look after your new family member:
Create a routine
It’s important to create a schedule for your puppy that includes feeding, exercise, play time and rest.
- Feeding: You should feed your puppy three times a day. The amount of food they need depends on their weight and age—you can ask your vet or look at their nutritional guidelines online to figure out what’s best for them. Make sure you don’t overfeed them because this could lead to health problems later in life!
- Exercise: Your puppy needs lots of exercise every day so make sure there are plenty of toys around for them to chew on during the day as well as some time outside playing with other dogs or running around in an enclosed area such as a backyard (remember not all breeds like being outdoors!). It’s also important that you take your pup out for walks each morning before work/school; this will keep them healthy by getting rid of any excess energy during the day but remember not everyone wants dogs sharing their space so be mindful if bringing yours along when visiting friends/family etc…
Puppy proof your home
Once your new puppy arrives, it’s important to make sure that your home is safe and secure. To do this, you need to remove any dangerous items and keep food away from the puppy.
- Remove all dangerous items: Put away any sharp objects (such as knives) or anything that can be chewed up by the puppy (such as wires). Also make sure there are no toxic substances such as cleaning products within reach of where they play. Remember that if they’re old enough, they may be able to open drawers or cabinets containing these things! If there are poisonous plants in your house, make sure they stay out of reach too!
- Keep food out of reach: Puppies love their treats but giving them too many could cause digestive problems so don’t overfeed them under any circumstances! One option is getting them used to eating from a toy which has been filled with dry food so when time comes for mealtime – it will go straight into their mouths instead
Avoid play that could encourage aggressive behaviour
When you play with your puppy, avoid games that could encourage aggressive behaviour. For example, avoid tug of war games, rough play and play that will lead to overstimulation or biting. Avoid games where the puppy has to chase after something like a ball or toy as this could encourage chasing behaviour in general and make it hard for the pup to give up on a chase if it becomes frustrated (which is likely). If your puppy bites or nips at you when playing then try not to react strongly as this may cause him/her to feel more confident about biting next time.
Feed them a quality puppy food
After you bring your new puppy home, they are going to need food. Many people make the mistake of feeding their puppy adult dog food, but this can be harmful for them. Adult dog food is meant for adult dogs that have already grown past infancy and into adulthood, whereas puppy food is designed specifically for puppies during their first years as a dog. This means that it has higher amounts of protein and fat than adult dog foods do, while also having lower carbohydrates (which provide energy). Puppy foods also have less fiber in them so that the growing bones are not weakened by the roughage found in most adult breeds’ diets.
Puppies need these nutrients because they need more energy than adults do; after all, they’re still growing! As such, always make sure that you’re giving your new addition no less than five cups of high-quality puppy chow per day!
Tackle puppy house training as soon as you get them home
The best time to start puppy house training is as soon as you get them home. The sooner you start, the easier it will be for both of you.
This is important because your puppy needs to learn how to go outside at the right times and not in the house. It’s also really important that your puppy doesn’t use its litter box or cage for this until it feels comfortable in its new environment and knows where it should go when nature calls!
The best way to train your pup is by providing a specific place where they can relieve themselves so they know what their options are when they need to go outside. This means picking an area near the door where they come in through, but not too close so they have room when they run around after coming back inside from playing outside with other dogs or people who may have invited themselves over while walking by on their way home from work (if no one else has come over yet).
Socialise, socialise, socialise!
Socialising your puppy is an important part of their development and will help them to be comfortable and confident in new situations. It will also help them learn how to interact with other dogs and people. If you want your puppy to grow up into a happy, well-adjusted adult dog, it’s important that they get plenty of opportunities to socialise while they are still young.
When you first bring your new puppy home, you should spend lots of quality time with him or her so that the two of you can bond as quickly as possible (but make sure not to ignore your other family members). When out walking or running errands with your puppy always try to stop off at places where there might be other dogs or children around so that he/she can meet these strangers for the first time – this will give him/her confidence later on when meeting unfamiliar animals outside his familiar territory!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
It’s important to make sure your puppy has access to plenty of fresh water throughout the day. Make sure you read the directions on the bag of food, as some require water while others don’t. If your puppy doesn’t have a reliable source of water, he or she may not drink enough fluid and develop a serious electrolyte imbalance.
A good general rule is to give about 2-3 cups for every 10 pounds your pup weighs each day. This can be split up into multiple meals if needed—just make sure you keep an eye on how much he or she is drinking so that it doesn’t get too full at once! Also remember that puppies will urinate more than adult dogs because they are still growing and their bladder is not yet as well developed as an adult dog’s would be; this means they need even more hydration than usual!
Teach them to walk on a lead gradually
Now, it’s time to start teaching your puppy how to walk on a lead. You’ll want to do this gradually so that they don’t get overwhelmed by all the new experiences at once. Start by letting them drag the lead around with them wherever they go and allow them to chew on it if they wish (a good way for puppies to learn that leashes are not toys!). Then, try holding the lead loosely in your hand and allowing your pup some freedom of movement. Finally, begin gently leading them around in small circles before moving on to longer distances and eventually teaching them how to walk alongside you without pulling on their leash too much.
Don’t forget about their dental health!
The first time you take your puppy to the vet, they’ll check their weight and make sure that they’re healthy. They’ll also examine their teeth and gums to see if there are any problems.
Your vet will probably recommend brushing your dog’s teeth once or twice a week with an appropriate toothpaste for dogs. You should also give them a dental chew or bone every day so that their teeth can be cleaned naturally as well!
If there is anything wrong with your dog’s mouth or gums, such as missing teeth or gum disease (gingivitis), then you should bring them in for treatment right away!
Make sure they’re insured from the very beginning.
- Make sure they’re insured from the very beginning.
- Insuring your new puppy is a must. It’s important that you do this, because if something happens to them, it can be devastating for you and your wallet! The type of insurance you need depends on several factors: breed of dog, age of the dog and size of their breed. It might be tempting to skip this step—after all, it seems like an unnecessary expense—but make sure that you look into what’s available through your vet or animal hospital before deciding whether or not to purchase pet health insurance policies (for example). If a company offers coverage that appeals to both parties while being affordable at the same time, then why not go ahead with it?
Some good advice for looking after a new puppy.
The first few weeks with your new puppy can be a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s important to keep them in check. You don’t want them getting into things they shouldn’t or running away from home. Here are some tips for looking after a new puppy:
- Establish good habits early on by establishing routines which will become the norm as they grow up and become more independent. Routine is also important for house training too!
- Puppy proofing is essential when bringing a new puppy into your house – make sure any electrical cords are out of reach; move anything breakable out of sight; make sure doors are closed so the little hooligan doesn’t get locked outside or escape through an open door!
- Socializing your dog with other dogs and people while they’re still young will help them adjust better when they’re older (and bigger!) because it teaches them how to interact with others in different social settings, like at the park where there’ll be other dogs playing around too – not just sitting alone on their own trying not to make eye contact with anyone else who might look at them funny!
- Teaching puppies how walk properly on leash helps build communication between both parties (owner & dog) which leads me nicely onto another point…
- Dental health is extremely important because if left unchecked it could lead to major problems later down the line including tooth decay which could mean expensive vet bills later down
Conclusion
We hope these tips will help you to care for your new puppy, and make sure they’re happy and healthy. Remember that each puppy is different, so some may need more attention in certain areas than others! The best thing to do is keep an eye out for any signs of ill health or distress, so that you can take action quickly if needed.