Dog
How To Prepare For A Puppy
Getting a new puppy is very exciting but it can also be a little overwhelming. Especially if you are a new pet parent. We here at Farm & Pet Place have some great advice and tips on how to start your journey into pet parenthood.
Before bringing your puppy home
There are a few things that should be set in place before you bring your new family member home.
Find your local vet, book and register your puppy for future appointments. It’s good to build up a relationship with your vet. So your pet can feel the same trust you do when visiting your doctor. If you are unsure of practices in your area then go to Vet Help Direct. This allows you to type in your postcode and will give you a list of all the vets in your area.
Ideally, at eight weeks old your pup should have had or be booked in for their first vaccination. This will protect them from infectious diseases as well as pass them on to other dogs. The second dose of vaccinations should follow within two to four weeks after. Followed up by a booster at six or twelve months old.
Quite often, if your puppy is from a charity or animal home. The puppy will have been given their first round of vaccinations but check with them just in case.
If possible, before you go to collect your new puppy. Why not drop off a blanket or something with your scent on it. So your future pup will associate you with their blanket when it meets you. This is also great because the item will pick up on smells from its current surroundings which it will get comfort from when you take it to its forever home.
When you get your new puppy home. One of the first things you will want to do apart from lots of soft furry cuddles is master the art of toilet training. This is really important for the development and growth of your new pet. But be patient because they are only young and everything they do is new to them. Once you both get into a routine there should be no more accidents in the home.
Toilet training your puppy
Puppies like to eat, play and sleep. You should take them outside when they wake up, and after meals to encourage them to do their business outdoors. A brilliant tip when toilet training is if your pup starts sniffing in a circle. This is a sign that they may need the toilet.
If you have been on a long journey to collect your new family member. It might be wise to take them over to their new toilet spot so they can do their business. They will hopefully begin to associate that space with going to the toilet.
Puppy pads are an excellent way to speed up the process of their training. They are great for overnight accidents should your pup need to go because they only have small bladders.
Another excellent tip when toilet training your pup is to praise them each time they do their business outside, perhaps giving them a treat at odd times.
Your new puppy will want to explore and touch everything in reach, using both their small paws and tiny sharp teeth. To avoid any accidents it is really important that you remove anything that might be a danger such as sharp objects, products containing toxic chemicals, and even foods such as chocolate which can cause serious upset with your dog.
Another important thing to consider with your new puppy is where are they going to sleep? Planning where they will spend their nights is important, creating a safe space where they can go, not just in the evening but throughout the day, especially if they feel overwhelmed and need some time out.
Crates when used correctly are a brilliant way to make a den, if you put their favourite toys and blankets inside to create a haven for your new puppy. These are also great if you are visiting friends and family because you can take the crate with you and if your pup wants some peace and quiet they can take themselves off into their bed.
Settling in with your new puppy – the first few weeks in their new home
When we get our new pups, one of the most important things is making sure that they feel safe and comfortable because how they feel at the beginning can have a lasting effect on them.
Nighttime can be tough, especially their first few days without their mum or siblings. If your puppy seems distressed in the night, sometimes leaving them to cry it out can make the situation worse, it’s okay to comfort them until they gain more confidence to sleep alone.
Just make sure you are sleeping in their space rather than the other way round because you don’t want to keep moving them as this can be quite stressful, especially as they have already moved from their first place of comfort. Again keeping something from their first home is a great way to give them some comfort.
Your a new Pet Parent
Being a new pet parent can be so rewarding, watching them grow and learn. Make sure to spend lots of time with them building on your relationship, you want them to always feel safe and happy in your presence.
If you are a new pet parent then getting pet insurance is definitely something to consider, especially depending on the dog breed as some dogs are known to have more complications than others when they reach certain stages in their lives. . There are a lot of companies out there offering competitive prices. This can save you not only money but a lot of stress.
You will see a lot of changes over the weeks as your new puppy continues to grow. After about eight to twelve weeks your puppy will still be waiting for their second round of vaccinations which means they still can’t go for walks but don’t let this stop you from walking and carrying them around outside in the garden, introducing them to new people, smells and surroundings. This will be super exciting for them.
If you have other pets in the home or close family or friends then this is the period to gradually start introducing them to these future pals but remember these pets must be healthy and fully vaccinated or they could make your puppy unwell.
How to help your puppy feel comfortable – their first experiences
When you feel like your pup’s confidence is growing then you can start to give them some alone time by leaving them in their safe space for short periods, teaching them to be comfortable by themselves. Each time you return, praise them and reward them with a small treat but be careful to not go over the top of this may overexcite them or encourage them to miss you more, it’s all about finding the right balance.
Picking useful products to help your puppy
Sometimes we might need a little aid when leaving our pups for the first few times and that is okay. There are some excellent products out there to keep your puppy entertained in your absence such as food releasing puzzle toys like the Kong Classic Small Puppy toy which allows you to have different treats and mixes in the openings, this is excellent for stimulating their minds.
Other toys include Ancol Puppy teether, these are stretchy fabric gummy knobbles that are perfect for cuddling and comfort along with Rosewoods Natural Nippers Cuddle Plush ring, this is also a brilliant soft toy that your puppy will love cuddling up to or carrying around in their mouths.
As the weeks go by you could also consider a lick mat, these will not only keep them occupied but are also a great way to promote calm behavior. You don’t always have to rely on toys, making the area where your dog will stay can be made into a fun and exciting treasure hunt, hiding treats within their space.
Introducing them to the outdoors
If you plan on taking your puppy out on lots of car journeys. Then now is the time to slowly introduce them to your car. Walk them around it and sit inside the vehicle with them a few times before you actually drive anywhere. If you want to get them used to the sounds then why not play car and traffic sounds in your home.
Consider both their safety and your own. If you plan on using a harness to restrain them or a dog car seat then allow them to explore these products in their home. To smell and touch them as this will make them feel so much more at ease when they are in the car.
Bring some of their favourite things such as a blanket or toy. Reward them for being calm but don’t go overboard. Or they will expect it each time they get into the car.
You want your puppy to be happy and comfortable so try and make these experiences as positive as you can.
Start taking some time to groom them, get them used to be handled. Introduce your new puppy to their lead or harness and let them play with it. As this will be something you will want to use in the next few weeks.
Twelve weeks old, fully vaccinated, and ready for their first walk
When your puppy reaches the twelve-week mark a lot of things should be set in place. Your puppy should be ready for its second round of vaccinations. Once they are fully vaccinated then the fun begins, your little pup is ready to go out and start socialising.
We have a soft play area in our dog park in our Abergele store, with sessions set up for puppies. It is a great way to introduce your puppy to other pups and people. We have a wonderful growing community of dogs and their humans. Most people that come to the park make friends and pup pals for life. They arrange dates both in and outside of the park which is fantastic because your puppy will continue to grow and develop, and having excellent social skills is a must.
Living in North Wales, a lot of our pup pals love going on adventures and exploring new places, this is a great way to exercise and get some fresh air but you must remember that your puppy is still growing and taking them too far or on grounds that might not be suitable for their soft pads or their growing bones.
Take it slow – puppy training can be hard but very rewarding
You don’t want to push your new puppy too quickly because this could cause damage and result in them not being able to go on adventurous journeys in the future.
If you are having difficulties training your puppy then why not consider a puppy training class, this could help you both. Now is also the time to discuss the different options available for worming and fleaing your tiny pet along with neutering if this is something you want to consider.
Toys can be a great distraction during teething
Over the past few weeks, you may have found the odd little tooth around your home. This is nothing to be concerned about as your puppy will begin to lose its baby teeth. If you are having trouble and your pup has taken a liking to chew some of your furnishing that can’t be hidden away. Then there are sprays and wipes available that should stop your puppy from chewing,
There are also toys available to help them get through this teething stage. Some of these toys as mentioned earlier like the Kong Classic Puppy should keep them distracted during this difficult time. This is also the perfect time to introduce them to a puppy toothbrush and specialised doggy toothpaste.
Starting a dental routine with your puppy
Starting their dental routine early should prevent any future oral health issues with your dog. Allow them to play and smell the tools you plan to use. Have a favourite toy close by and again reward them by praising. If needs be use treats to make it a positive experience.
From six months onwards your puppy is getting closer to adulthood. You can gradually start moving them onto adult food. If you have any concerns then speak to your local vet or call in to one of our petplace stores. Where a member of our team should be able to advise you on different feeds.
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