10 Useful Tips For New Dog Owners
Getting a dog is one of the most exciting, enjoyable, and rewarding things that you can ever do in your life. Maybe it’s something that you’ve wanted to do for years, maybe it’s something that you’ve just agreed to do, either way, getting a dog will change your life. And, no matter how ready you think you are, you can always do more research, be more prepared, and feel like you know as much as possible. Because when you do first get your dog, you will find that it’s completely different – no matter how prepared you thought you were! But, it’s nice to be able to learn along the way and enjoy the process of having a dog and enjoying raising them. Yet, again, it’s still a good idea for you to know as much as you possibly can.
You can ask questions to those around you that have dogs, you can read up, but it’s always good to really focus on the set areas of what you need to do when you have the dog. Of course, you’ll want to find your own feet and make sure that you can learn along the way too. To ensure that you are going to get off to the best possible start, we came up with ten tips that could be really useful to you.
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1. Do Your Research
To start with, you’re going to want to look into the idea of getting a puppy. Try to get to know the breed, research food options, when to walk them, what entertainment they’ll need, and any other helpful info you can find on the breed. Knowing this information specific to their breed can really help you if training issues arise.
2. Get Everything You Need
Then, you’re going to want to make sure that you are able to get everything you need to ensure that you’re ready for your puppy. There are so many things that you need for a puppy, it’s good to have a list. From food to a bed and crate to grooming products, start now!
3. Be Prepared
When you first bring your new puppy home, it can feel so alien to you. They may be timid but also wanting to soak up all of your love. Not only that, but they may also need to adjust to their new surroundings. Even at 8 weeks old, they are going to find it a little difficult. This is why new puppies often cry for their mother and siblings at night. It can be a strange adjustment for them – and it’s good for you to be prepared for this too as they get used to being alone.
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4. Enjoy Time With Them
A puppy requires a lot of time and attention. So when you first bring them home, it’s nice to be able to enjoy spending some time with them. If you can, it might be a good idea to get some time off of work! That way, you can be there for them but also soak up the puppy time.
5. Prioritize Training
You also need to make sure that you’re thinking about training and what their behavior is like. Puppies learn really quickly. And if you want to ensure that they’re disciplined and well behaved, it’s important to arrange some training like our in-home training and dog training courses at the right stage in their life. This can also ensure that they learn to interact around other dogs too when the time is right!
6. Get Shots Done
From here, you’re then going to want to make sure that you keep in mind when you need to get the shots done for your new dog. Puppy vaccinations are important to keep them safe and healthy. You may also need to keep them inside and away from other dogs and animals until they are complete. So mark the dates on your calendar and ensure that they are done on time.
7. Socialize As Soon As You Can
When that’s done, you might then also want to think about socializing your puppy with other dogs. As you’ll know, it’s so important for them to be able to socialize well with other dogs and learn their place. So the sooner you do this, the better.
8. Set Boundaries
It’s also a good idea for you to put some boundaries in place for your puppy if you want them. If you don’t want them upstairs in the house, on the furniture, or in certain rooms, then you need to be strict on this from the start. Sometimes, boundaries can be good for your puppy.
9. Have Fun
But also, don’t forget to have fun with them too. Puppies are incredibly playful and love to run and jump and have fun. This can be quite exhausting because they really don’t stop. They have bundles of energy and it can mean that they just want to play all day. But you may find that you really don’t have the energy for that. And so, you’ll also want to find the best possible dog toys for them. Think about the best options to keep them entertained.
10. Make Them Part Of Your Life
Finally, you are definitely going to want to make sure that you are really welcoming them into your life. Your dog should be part of the family. They’re not something that you should keep at arm’s length or treat negatively. Your dog is part of your family – and so you need to ensure that you are treating them as such. Take them when you go for days out, bring them on vacation with you, include them in different family occasions. You’ll find that your life is just so much better when you do.
If you haven’t tried our FREE training course Focused Fido you can enroll here. The course is for all ages and it is great to start them as puppies. Learn the behaviors “Look” and “Touch”.
Please contact us if you have any questions on these tips, [email protected] or by visiting www.newmansdogtraining.com.
Also, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @newmansdogtraining. You can also follow us and our dog Barry on our training and outdoor adventures on Instagram @adventuredogbarry.
