New puppy? Here's how to look after him (or her)
Congratulations – you’ve added a new (four legged) member to your family! That cuddly new baby dog sure is a bundle of joy. Bringing home a new puppy is such an exciting and fun time for the whole family, but it can be a stressful time for your pooch and for you too. Both of you will have to go through a transition period, and it’s a good idea to do some research and planning before you bring your new pet home. Cute puppies are absolutely adorable, but there’s quite a bit of effort needed when it comes to puppy training and pet care. So, if you’ve just bought home a new best friend, here’s how to look after him (or her).
Keep the environment mellow and calm
For a new puppy dog who is a complete stranger in a new home, lots of noises and new faces can be overwhelming. It’s best to keep the environment mellow and calm for at least a couple of days. Avoid playing loud music and inviting guests over until your new baby Fido has settled down.
Set up a safe living and sleeping space
Set up a safe living space where your cute puppy can sleep and rest while he’s getting used to his new environment. Ensure that the area is free from harmful items that he might be able to reach or pull down and make the space fun by placing some puppy toys in his living area.
Introduce him to a kenel
A kennel or crate can give your dog a sense of security, and it’s is an essential tool for your new pooch’s potty training process as it helps him learn how to hold it in and also prevents destructive behaviour. At the same time, it will help you to understand when he just has to go, so you can take him outside to the right spot. It isn’t hard to do, but the earlier you start it, the better for both of you.
Begin the toilet training
Toilet training for puppies uses reward-based and positive reinforcement strategies to deliver a successful training process. It takes time and a lot of patience to potty train a puppy, so the first step is to give him a lot of opportunities to go to his toilet area. Then, reward him each time that he gets his toilet area right – but make sure you do this as soon as he gets back inside, so he understands the reward is associated with getting his toilet area right.
Consult a vet for health care, vaccination and desexing
Set an appointment with your local vet as soon as you can. Your vet will be able to advise the right vaccinations for your puppy, who will be vulnerable to infectious diseases, which at times can be fatal. You can also consult your vet about worming, flea treatment, and other essential vet care that will be appropriate for your puppy.
Also ask your vet about desexing your puppy as this can have some positive effects on his health and behaviour. Animals that have been desexed usually don’t wander or fight for territory, reducing the risks of injuries and accidents.
Register and microchip your puppy
For your puppy to be easily identifiable so that you can be contacted in case he gets lost or has an accident, ensure that he is micro-chipped as soon as possible. You’ll also need to register him with your local Council when he gets to 12 weeks old.
Socialisation and training
Once your puppy has settled down in his new home, you can now begin his socialisation and training. These are essential factors in his preparation for adulthood so it’s important to get things started with a regular routine during puppyhood. The critical period for socialising puppies occurs between 3 to 17 weeks of age.
Give him plenty of opportunities for socialisation and exposure to different environments to ensure that he’ll be well-adjusted and able to relate well to fellow dogs, other animals, and people. There are plenty of vet clinics and other businesses who offer reward-based puppy classes, and it’s worth investing in at least a few.
Go on - bring that new puppy home!
Having a new puppy is like having a baby in the house. Looking after him takes a lot of time and effort, but it’s also very rewarding. With proper care, your new companion will grow up to be a well-behaved and loving dog, who will indeed be your family’s best friend.
Of course, bringing a dog into your life is a big commitment and it can also be pretty costly - but if you ever need a little financial help to cover your new pooch’s vet bills or training expenses, we’re here to help with that. Just take a look at our cash loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours – so you can go ahead and bring that cute puppy home this week!