When you bring a new puppy home there will definitely be an adjustment period for both the puppy and you. This is a time where you will be bonding with your puppy, and they will be adjusting to their new home, environment, and schedule. The puppy may be sad initially as well because they have only known their mother and littermates. However, for most puppies the adjustment period is usually quite quick. Here are five tips if you recently adopted a puppy:
- Puppy proof your house- Before your puppy arrives, make sure to puppy proof your house. A few pointers would be to move electrical cords out of their reach or put them in cord concealer. Lock up or put-up high cleaning supplies, garage supplies like fertilizer and antifreeze, and medications that can be toxic to animals. Put the trash can out of reach as well as any poisonous plants.
- Veterinary visits- Your vet will be a good resource for all your puppy questions. Puppies need a series of core vaccines given about 3-4 weeks apart. These core vaccines will protect against many common diseases like parvo and distemper. Deworming, heartworm medication, flea/tick medication, microchipping, obedience training, and spaying/neutering are just a few things your veterinarian will discuss at these puppy visits.
- Obedience training- Talk to your veterinarian about when it would be best to start puppy training classes. Some vets say it’s ok to start immediately when you get the puppy, other vets like to have the puppies wait until after their second or third vaccines. If the latter is the case, you can still start obedience training your puppy at home while you wait. Another important reason for puppy obedience classes is to get the puppies socialized with other dogs and humans.
- Potty training- Decide whether you want to train your puppy to go to the bathroom outside or inside in a specific area. Even though it’s winter and many dogs don’t like to go outside when it’s cold, it’s important to pick either outside or inside and stick with it. If you train your puppy to go potty inside in the winter, they will be confused when you tell them to go outside for the bathroom come springtime. This can lead to problems with potty training.
- Chewing- Puppies explore their world with their mouths and will put everything in their mouth. It is important for them to explore their new environment safely. Some trainers recommend putting the puppy on a leash attached to you at all times so they can’t wander off and get into trouble. Crate training is also very beneficial when you aren’t able to directly supervise them. It’s important to keep the crate a positive and safe spot for the puppy. It’s also important that puppies get plenty of exercise and maintain a schedule daily. Keep plenty of toys around so if the puppy starts to chew on something they shouldn’t you can divert their attention with a toy they can chew.
Pet Honesty has a new multivitamin chew for puppies called Multivitamin Puppy. It comes in a tasty bacon flavor and has ingredients like probiotics, omegas, vitamins, and minerals. The key benefits are that it helps support cognitive development and healthy brain function, provides nutritional support for healthy immune function, and promotes the absorption of essential nutrients and supports overall gut health. Talk to your veterinarian to see if Pet Honesty’s products are right for your dog.
