He will be there by your side, as your loving companion -
he will offer you protection if ever the need arises. Pet dog
owners in turn must know how to look after their pet dog, and
be responsible for it. The dog's needs are simple and easy to
follow. When puppies come home they need lots of love and
attention. They may stress a little at first, as this is
probably the first time they are away from their mother and
their littermates. It is important that you begin the process
of socialization, generally integrating your new pet into your
family and teaching it to relate to people and other animals
through gentle play, interaction and having pleasant
encounters with family friends and pets.
A stress free environment for your puppy
Try and avoid sudden loud noises such as children screaming
or doors slamming. Also limit the visitors your new puppy has -
gradually allowing it to get used to more and more strange
faces.
Provide a warm comfortable bed - or alternatively a
cardboard box with many layers of newspaper and a washable
blanket on top. Make sure your puppy will still fit into it as
it grows. Place the puppy's bed where you want it to sleep as
an adult or grown dog - usually the best place would be a
quiet, private corner. For the first few nights -
settling period - a fluffy toy and a warm (not hot) water
bottle placed beneath the bedding will help. The puppy may be
noisy and stressed at night immediately after separation from
its littermates. A low radio or ticking clock can help sooth
it.
When the puppy is awake during the day, give it lots of
body contact and talk to your puppy in a soft voice to express
friendship and a gruff voice to express disapproval of any of
its unwanted actions.
Keeping your puppy safe
The following are things to consider when preparing for
the arrival of a new puppy. Lock away household and garden
chemicals. Make sure electrical cords are out of
biting reach.
Be extra careful when using lawnmowers, skateboards,
roller blades or any other similar thing.
Make sure the puppy cannot get thru any swimming pool
fencing.
Teaching your puppy the house rules
The newest member of the 'family pack' must learn that you
are the pack leader and that it is the bottom dog in the pack.
Once the new puppy recognizes its place in the family
hierarchy it will be happier and easily trained to obey
commands. The puppy will look to its pack leader to protect it
and make decisions for it.
Nutritional needs
It is best to start by feeding your puppy the same diet it
ate before it joined your family. You can introduce any
changes slowly over several days to avoid causing digestive
upsets. Commercial puppy foods are recommended and later
commercial adult food - a well balanced good quality dry
food is essential. A constant supply of fresh clean water
should be available. A deep stainless steel or earthenware
bowl will keep the water cooler and in summer ice can be added
to the water.
Play time with your Pet Dog
Puppies love to play and this helps them to grow and learn.
In the early days when they play among their littermates, it
gives them exercise and is the way in which they compete for
their order in the pack. Don't be rough with your puppy - but
it's also important in these early stages that your puppy
learns that family members are dominant. Chewing helps puppies
through teething - but it is also a way of investigating their
environment. This need is easily satisfied with chewable
objects and toys. Make sure they don't resemble objects that
you don't want chewed, for example how does the puppy
distinguish between his old shoe and all of the other shoes in
the household?
Puppy Dog Potty Training
Anticipate toilet needs. Take your puppy outside as soon as
it wakes up, as well as before and after every meal. Go right
outside with your puppy - this is very important. Take it to a
specific area of the garden and wait until it has finished -
always praise the puppy afterwards.
The importance of Exercising your Pet Dog
A retractable leash is ideal for a puppy, in this way you
can't force the puppy to over exercise. Adult dogs also need
exercise and play - walking a dog everyday is great, or play
in the park with a ball or stick. If everyday is too hard to
manage, try at least four times a week.
Grooming your Dog
Get your new dog used to being groomed, handled and
examined as soon as possible. Your grooming equipment should
include a dog brush and comb. Establish a daily routine where
you examine your dog's mouth, teeth, eyes, ears, abdomen, paws
and other parts of its anatomy, and although it may not need
grooming do it anyway. If your dog is regularly groomed you
will only need to wash it if it gets really dirty or smelly.
It is best to use lukewarm water and give the dog a brush out
first. Use a proper dog shampoo and dry it off with its own
special dog towel, before it gets cold. Nails should be
clipped as needed depending on the breed of the dog and the
surface that the dog usually walks on. If it's a hard surface
they walk on the nails will wear down naturally. Special dog
nail clippers are available - if you are not confident with
this process ask your vet or a dog groomer to show you the
process.
Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family
and the newest edition to the family will have a happy,
healthy and rewarding time together.
By Katharine Logan, 2005. Katharine Logan is the Pet-library.com content author and manager. She conducts research on specified subjects to help people with day to day issues.
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