Adding a new furry member of your household is very exciting time, one that brings plenty of joy but can also requires work that can cause stress, especially for those that may not have had one growing up. With the right amount of preparation, the good days of having a puppy can outweigh the not-so-good. While a puppy becomes an adult dog at different stages depending on the size of the breed, you can expect the wild days to mature around 8 months up to 2 years.
This can make for many sleepless nights, but in the long run, this new member of the family can add plenty of joy that you couldn’t imagine living without. You’ll learn that they have their own personality, so choosing a fitting name can resemble a similar process like it would with a new child. Knowing what to expect such as preparing your home, setting up proper feeding, getting training under control, and utilizing financing for care will help to cherish every moment of your furry friend going forward.
Prepare Your Home
It can be a whirlwind to your normally organized household to bring home a new puppy. Between accidents, toys, and chewing up everything in sight, you could find yourself cursing to yourself and family members if you’re not properly prepared. You may even find yourself doubting if this was the right move, but those days will pass once you and your puppy are on the same page after the first few months.
You can review a pre-puppy checklist from The Farmers Dog that will help to stay organized and ensure that you have taken all the proper precautions before bringing home. This includes having the right supplies, how to understand your new puppy, and bracing yourself that it’s going to be hard. The good news is that with the right preparations, the lives of your family and your pet will be enriched for years to come.
Set Up Proper Feeding
While the breeder/store will have input on what supplies to get and the schedule for feeding, ultimately it will be your decision on what is best for your new family member once they get into a routine. First, determine an area for their bowl and water that will be away from where they sleep, away from the rest of the family, one they know it’s their own, in a calm area so food guarding and accidents will be less likely to occur. Next, determine the type, whether you’re looking to give dry or wet food.
If you can keep a routine of dry food, it can save from picky eaters and having to meal prep like you would the rest of the household. You can check out Blue Buffalo that have many natural options to help you decide. Last, determine a consistent feeding schedule, with the adequate amount of food, avoiding table scraps as best as you can.
Get Training Under Control
Potty training will likely be the most difficult, especially in the beginning, when puppies can only hold it for short periods at a time. By establishing a strict schedule going outside, it will help set the boundaries of not going inside. Dogs love routines, so choosing a specific spot can help determine where to go. Since they are babies, positive reinforcement with praise and treats for a job well done will go a long way.
When accidents do happen inside, it’s important to not punish but quickly take outside and then clean up the spot. You’ll start to notice the signs such as sniffing and walking in circles, so you’ll have to act right away. Just reminder that all dogs are different so it may take others longer than some, but potty training will eventually prevail. You can try training with a potty bell from Chewy as great way to be notified that it’s time to go now.
Choose a Vet for Care
Choosing a vet is an important next step, one that will provide the proper care for the next 10 to 15 or so years. With so many options out there and if you’re new to this, it can help to start with recommendations from family or friends. As you narrow down the list, you can tour facilities and interact with staff to see how the operation is run to determine the right fit.
It is inevitable dogs will require some sort of expensive care at some point, whether it’s spaying/neutering, emergency surgery, routine exams, or dental cleanings. While having an emergency fund is important for the family budget, sometimes outside factors play a part in not having the available funds. When searching for a vet, you can look for practices that offer financing such as Cherry Payment Plans to avoid the hit up front. This way you can split up the large bill into monthly manageable payments.
Cherish Every Moment
While the days of having a puppy leading into to an adult dog will bring lasting memories, the sad fact is that they will get old one day so it’s important to cherish every moment you have with your furry friend. As your pet ages, you can review a list of must-have items for senior dogs from PetCareRx to properly prepare to transition. Items like non-slip mats, pet ramps, health supplements, and your own grooming tools can help make your dog comfortable during the golden years. Caring for your dog is a big job and will take the entire household to chip in.
The puppy days and senior stage will similarly resemble each other, so just think of the joy your household has having your pet around to get through the stress. The unfortunate event will come one day, but that doesn’t mean you have to dwell on thinking about it. Enjoy every moment you have as dogs bring warmth and energy to the household and happiness occurs just knowing your dog is there when you come home. There’s a reason why dogs are the most popular breed, with half of American homes joining in this joy.
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