It doesn’t matter whether you have welcomed a not so little new St Bernard, a cute little puppy pug, or a delightful dachshund into your home, there are certain things that you must do to ensure that your new pup is receiving the best care. As a responsible owner, you want your new dog to feel like a part of the family straight away. At the same time, you don’t want anything to overwhelm him. In the same way as you would welcome home a new little human bundle of joy, you need to take time to settle into a new routine for your puppy. Take a look at what you can do to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your canine:
Nutrition:
There is no point in bringing your new pup home only to feed him food that he’s never tasted before. The chances are that he adores the grub that the breeder was feeding him, so ensure that you get a crate of it. Familiar smells and tastes will help settle the nerves of your pooch. Ensure that you bring the toys that he has played with in his previous environment and place them in his new playpen. This will be the first time that your new dog has been away from his litter pals and mom, so it’s vital that you are on hand pretty much twenty four seven, at least for the first few weeks.
Behavior:
It’s not uncommon for your puppy to bite especially as he’s getting to know his own capabilities. It’s vital that you try and nip this in the bud as soon as possible. Alongside formal puppy training to teach him the traditional obedience commands, you need to back this up with a firm but fair approach at home. When playing with your new four legged friend, don’t use your hand directly and instead use a toy. If they do manage to bite (often during play) then show a sad face, say firmly ‘no biting’ and ignore them for up to a minute. With consistent responses to his nipping, you should find that the behavior stops very quickly. Any issues, and you can get expert advice as to how to halt the biting.
Some puppies scratch or destroy items around the home. While this may be playful and amusing if he gets hold of a sock and demolishes it, this can be more serious if you return home from grocery shopping to see your sofa destroyed. This is classic separation anxiety and needs to be addressed. Go out for very short periods of time and build up the minutes you are away very slowly. Ensure that you play with him a lot and leave plenty to interest him when you are out to prevent destructive tendencies.
Exercise:
When ready, it’s important to get your pooch used to other canines. The easiest way to do this is to take relaxing strolls down to the park. Take your time and don’t be worried if your dog seems a little nervous. This is natural. Keep him on the leash and allow him to sniff other dogs, but keep a close eye on him to ensure there’s no aggressive behavior.
Before you know it, you will have a brand new and established member of your family – an adorable one, at that!
Featured Image By: Pixabay
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