Cats and dogs have lived with us for thousands of years. In the past, pets were domesticated to carry out tasks, for example, cats killed pests such as rodents; in the case of dogs, they helped with herding or protection. Today they are valued mainly for their company.
Being a pet owner can be an extremely rewarding and enriching experience, but it also carries important responsibilities, primarily taking care of your pet’s needs during every period of its life.
If, after analyzing what type of pet is ideal for your lifestyle and the space in which you live, you have decided to add a puppy to your family, you should bear in mind that it is a stage in which you have to pay close attention. to both physical and emotional changes in your pet.
Some brands are researching and developing valuable information about the beginning of life in pets, an example is Royal Canin®, which through Start of Life shares key moments in the first stage of life for cats and dogs. In this first installment we share some that you should keep in mind if you are preparing for the arrival of a puppy:
Arrival at your new home:
Plan to pick up your puppy at a time when you can spend time caring for him, such as over the weekend or on your day off.
Essential equipment for your new puppy should ideally include two dishes, a collar or harness, a leash, a bed, a brush, toys, and of course, the puppy’s first diet!
Giving your pup a specific area will help him quickly adjust to his new home and allow him to feel secure, prepared and ready for sleep.
Your puppy will need a few days to settle in and get to know his new home and family, be patient.
What if you already have pets? The golden rule: the current residents own the house, so don’t change their habits or show a preference for the new pet. In general, you need to be vigilant and patient to avoid conflicts between pets that need to get to know each other and learn to live together.
Health:
Your pup should visit the vet regularly for a health check. Even if your puppy is in good health, we recommend that you take him to the vet regularly for basic care, weight control, vaccination coverage and an adapted deworming program.
Save time by choosing a vet before your pup arrives at his new home. If you haven’t chosen a vet yet, why not ask family members or friends with pets for their recommendation? Developing a trusting bond with a specialist is vital to monitoring the pup’s health.
Ensure healthy and tailored nutrition, regular monitoring by your vet will help prevent health problems in the first months of your puppy’s life, through adulthood and beyond. Let him be the one to tell you what food you should give him.
Check these indicators of your pup’s overall health: bright eyes, shiny coat, healthy skin, easy-to-feel ribs. Your pup should be alert and playful. His nose must be cold and wet.
Wellness:
Introduce your puppy to a wide variety of situations as soon as possible (family outings, trips to town, in the car, meeting other animals, etc.). This will help him easily integrate into his new environment and will reduce fear and aggression.
To give your puppy a command, always use the same words in a determined voice and with the same gestures. Use simple words to give commands and repeat the exercise several times until your puppy really understands, do not forget to praise and reward him whenever he does it well, do not forget that you should not exceed the number of recommended daily calories. Puppies tire quickly, have short but frequent training sessions, for example 3 sessions of 5 minutes a day. Extend the sessions gradually, as your pup gets older.
For potty training outside, take your puppy out often, after meals and naps, at bedtime, and as soon as he wakes up in the morning. To begin with, always take your puppy to the same place so that he recognizes his own scent. They will spontaneously return to this location as they get older.
During the first months of life, your puppy will sleep a lot, avoid disturbing him, however, when he is awake, he will need exercise. Exercises and games are vital to his well-being and will help him stay in shape.
For grooming, we recommend bathing your puppy after three months of age, not before! During the bath you should clean eyes, ears, teeth and fur, as well as your nails
We hope these tips will help you create a beneficial relationship with your puppy, owning a pet is a big commitment that must be taken seriously. With the right knowledge and dedication you will have a happy, healthy, well behaved and loving family member at home who will be a joy to spend time with.
Do not miss the next installment to learn more about the arrival of a kitten.