How To Take Great Care Of Your New Puppy

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Getting a new puppy can be such a wonderful experience, but it’s essential that you are able to meet their needs to keep them happy and healthy. Looking after a puppy doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think, as there are just a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure they stay comfortable and content in their new home. So, if you would like to find out more, then simply read on to uncover some of the most essential steps that you can follow today to take great care of your new puppy…

Regular Vet Checks

Your puppy should be checked over at your vets as soon as you bring them home. It is important to have their eyes, teeth, ears, skin and weight looked at so the vet can advise of any problems that may need attention. On top of this, they can also check their vaccination card and microchip your new pet if they haven’t been done so already. By visiting the vet annually or as soon as an ailment arises you will be helping to keep your puppy/dog in tip-top condition and hopefully preventing a problem from escalating to the point that you’ll need to make big insurance payouts.

Always Feed Them Well

One of the most important steps that you must follow to keep your puppy healthy is to feed them well. The food that they eat will contribute massively towards their overall health and wellbeing, so you should make an effort to source the best quality food that’s rich in an array of different vitamins and minerals (your vet can also help with this if you have any concerns). Though it may be quick and easy to just grab the cheapest canned food in the grocery store, these options are likely made from the lowest standard of meat as well as often being packed with unnatural fillers to increase the calorie content. Once you’re able to find a great quality fresh food that they love to eat, you must commit to feeding them this and only this. Supplementing their diet with any ‘human food’ could lead to severe health issues in the not so distant future! Avoid allowing them to eat anything that includes ingredients such as onions or salt, as these are poisonous even in the smallest of quantities. Stick to their own specially crafted dog food formula to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible! 

Perform Regular Grooming

Another vital step that you must follow if you wish to take great care of your new puppy involves grooming them on a regular basis. Grooming should be far more than just a simple wipe down every few months, as each dog has its own care requirements to stay comfortable and content. Dogs that are a long-haired breed will likely need to be bathed at least once per month, along with weekly brushing to ensure that their fur does not get tangled or matted. On the other hand, short hair breeds will require far less grooming, as they are less likely to pick up any debris or dirt whilst exploring the world. As well as bathing and brushing, you may also wish to explore specific care investments such as paw and nose balm, ear drops, coat refresher spray and more. You can find a seemingly endless supply of dog-focused products over at The Healthy Dog Co, and your pup is sure to appreciate every single thing that you do to keep them clean and happy. 

Walks

Once your puppy has had their full vaccinations you can begin taking them for walks. At first, these should be kept to small periods to allow your puppy to take in their new surroundings, to get used to the sounds and traffic as well as their lead. As they begin to grow you can start to increase these walks, begin recall training, encourage them to chase a ball and most importantly, get them into a good routine. Dogs love a routine, they like knowing when dinner is coming and when walkies is so ensure that you try your best to stick to regular times.

Training

Training your puppy is a vital part of being a dog owner. From lead training to recall, socialisation and knowing their boundaries to getting them to sit and give paw, all have their benefits for both you and your new puppy. Training helps to provide understood rules which are important for keeping them safe, for not bothering others on a walk, it is a great way of stimulating their mind and for securing your bond. Crate training is also really important to incorporate from a young age and using tips like these from Manmadekennels should help a lot. Starting training young will mean that your puppy will result in far fewer issues as they turn into full-grown dogs.

Taking great care of a new puppy has never been so simple when you can take the time to make the most of some of the brilliant tips and tricks described above.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.