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Published by Programme B
adopting a puppy, that’s a wonderful thing! Adding a furry friend to your family is a joyful occasion that many people are highly excited for, and for a good reason! Bringing a puppy into your home has the potential to bring your family closer together, offer companionship and even teach responsibility. However, if this is your very first rodeo, you might also be a bit overwhelmed with all of the information out there. If this sounds a little like you, there’s nothing to fear. Just like any other learning curve in life, you’ll keep getting better with time. And to help you out, here are a few pieces of knowledge you can consider as you prepare to bring your new buddy home.
1. Pets Aren’t Toys
Although dogs are adorable, and they definitely have the power to bring joy to the whole family, it’s important to remember that dogs aren’t toys — they’re living beings, which means they shouldn’t be adopted on an impulse or in order to fill a passing want. You should only adopt a dog if you know that you actually want one, because rehoming pets is an increasing issue.
2. Are You Ready for a Puppy?
Another important thing to consider before you even look into adoption is whether or not you personally are ready for a puppy. Pets are a lot of responsibility, and they require a lot of care, which isn’t right for everybody at every stage of life. Just make sure that you can devote the time and energy necessary to being there for your puppy in every possible way.
3. Adopt, Don’t Shop
When the time comes that you’re actually looking into the process of finding a puppy that’s right for you and your family, keep in mind the number of pets that are left in shelters every year waiting to be adopted. Although you could always go to the pet store and pick up a puppy from the bunch, adopting one that needs a loving home is much more ethical.
4. Puppy Proofing Your Home
Before you bring your little friend home, you need to make sure that it’s a safe and comfortable environment for them. Puppies might be spry and spritely, but they are also a little fragile. Puppies are born without teeth or eyesight. They are also born deaf, and although their senses develop with time, it’s important to accommodate whatever your puppy might need in the meantime. Put up gates in order to protect them from falling or getting lost and keep any dangerous items on high shelves.
5. How to Feed Them
The next thing you might be wondering is how and what to feed your puppy. Although their exact diet will usually depend on their breed and size. However, specialized puppy food is usually the best bet for the beginning of their lives. Additionally, their feeding schedule will update rapidly throughout the first year of their life. Some might start off eating four or five times each day, only to wean back to twice a day within a few months’ time.
6. Walking and House Training
When it comes to walking and house training your new puppy, you might also feel like you’re in uncharted territory. However, it’s often about going with the flow of what your puppy tends to need. One of the most important things to know is that vets recommend waiting until two weeks after your puppy’s final vaccination booster before taking them for walks. After that, you can start walking whenever it seems that your puppy needs out. However, be careful not to over-exercise, as this can be bad for their health, too.
7. Vet Visits
Your puppy’s relationship to the vet might also feel like a big question mark, but there’s really nothing to fear. When you first take your puppy home and start introducing them into your family, that should also be the time when you take them in for their initial vet appointment. They likely need a checkup, as well as the shots and vaccinations they might be missing. When you visit the vet, they’ll guide you through the frequency at which you should be coming back to focus on their care.
8. Lots and Lots of Love
One of the most important parts of bringing a pet into your home is offering them the love that they deserve as a member of the family. You should likely have no problem at all on that front, but of course, it’s always worth the mention
Bringing Your Puppy Home
There are plenty of things you can do to prepare to bring your furry friend into the family officially. From making sure that you truly want and value them all the way to looking after their vet visits and walking them the appropriate amount of times each day, you can stay on top of everything they need. Are you looking forward to adopting a puppy soon?
Photo by Dorota Semla from Pexels