Puppy Care
Adding a new member to the family can be both fun and exciting. However, even our furry family members require special care and preparation to successfully integrate into a new home. Luckily, the steps you can take to welcome a new puppy into your home are easy and don’t require a lot of time. You can make your home puppy friendly by following a few simple rules and completing a few tasks. Here at Village Animal Hospital, our team is here to answer questions and to help you with caring for your puppy.
Preparing for the Puppy
Before you bring your new puppy home, you will need to get your home ready for him or her. You will need to buy a crate, gates, puppy food, and serving bowls. Plus, you will need to prepare the inside of your home for the safety of your new puppy. Tape cords to the wall and remove chemicals and plants. You may want to remove shoes and other items that you don’t want your puppy to chew on or play with.
You will also need to schedule a visit with our team if your puppy needs shots or other forms of care. It’s dire to your puppy’s health that you make sure they have all the shots and medicine they need. Puppies can be more vulnerable to certain diseases, so make sure you keep him or her as safe as possible. Prepare your space with puppy pads if needed and a schedule to get your puppy exercising daily. You should also develop a feeding schedule.
Puppy Care in Your Home
Once you get your puppy home, you will need to do things to prevent several common behaviors that most puppies exhibit. One of the first things you will need to arm yourself with is a good dose of patience. Housetraining a pup can take anywhere from four months to a year. Puppies are unique and have their own personalities, just like people. Also, be sure to maintain a consistent feeding schedule and remove food between feedings.
Of course, you will need to take your pup outside for walks after feedings and after naps. However, you will also need to learn their cues because there may be times that your puppy needs to go and it is not time for your walk yet. Reward your puppy after he or she has finished their business. You can also crate train, or pad train your puppy. One of the first areas of focus should be paying attention to any whining, circling, sniffing, barking, or scratching at the door. This may be your pup’s way of telling you they need to relieve themselves.
We’re Here to Help
We at Village Animal Hospital in Diamond Bar, CA know how fun yet important understanding the needs of a puppy can be. Our team understands that effective puppy care is a necessity if you want to give your furry family member a good home and a healthy start in life. We are here to help your dog at any stage of his or her life. Please give us a call to find out how we can help you and your new puppy today.