How to Raise a Puppy? Puppies make adorable additions to the family, but do require specific love and care. Today, our Concord vets discuss what you should know about raising a puppy, especially in its critical first year.
How to Raise a Puppy?
Raising a puppy is a rewarding experience, but it requires a lot of patience and commitment. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you raise your puppy:
Preparing Before the Puppy Arrives
Preparing the Home: Make your home puppy-safe by removing any dangerous or chewable items. Create a quiet, comfortable sleeping area, such as a crate or a comfortable bed.
Purchasing Essential Supplies: You'll need puppy food, food and water bowls, a collar and leash, safe chew toys, a brush, and accident-prevention cleaning products.
Choosing a Vet: Find a good vet in your area and schedule your puppy's first checkup soon after his arrival.
The First Days with Your Puppy
Patience and Empathy: Remember that your puppy will be confused and scared in his new environment. Be patient and understanding.
Routine: Start by establishing a consistent routine for eating, urinating, playing, and sleeping. This helps your puppy adjust quickly.
Introducing Your Home: Let your puppy explore your home under your supervision, focusing on designated areas.
Basic Training
Immediate Reward: Take your puppy outside regularly (every 2-3 hours, after waking, after eating, and before bedtime). Reward immediately with praise or a small treat when he relieves himself in the right spot.
Avoid Punishment: Don't punish your puppy for accidents indoors. Instead, clean the house thoroughly to remove the odor, which might encourage him to urinate in the same spot again.
Sit: Use a treat to draw your puppy's attention up and back over his head, causing him to sit naturally. Say "Sit" and reward him when he sits.
Come Recall: Start in a quiet place and call your puppy by name and the word "Come." Reward him enthusiastically when he comes to you.
Leash Training: Start by introducing your puppy to the collar and leash indoors for short periods, then begin taking short walks outside.
Socialization
Positive Exposure: Expose your puppy to a variety of people, other dogs, and different environments at an early age (after vaccinations are complete).
Safe Interactions: Ensure all interactions are positive and well-monitored to avoid negative experiences.
Dealing with Biting and Chewing
Provide chew toys: Puppies chew to relieve teething pain and explore the world. Provide plenty of safe and appropriate chew toys.
Redirection: When a puppy bites your hand, firmly say "no" and redirect the behavior to a chew toy.
Ignore painful biting: If the bite is painful, squeal loudly or remove your hand immediately, then ignore the puppy for a few minutes.
Feeding and Healthcare
Appropriate Food: Provide high-quality puppy food, and follow the package directions for the amount of food.
Vaccination Schedule: Adhere to the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian to protect against common diseases.
Worming, Flea, and Tick: Consult your veterinarian regarding prevention and treatment programs for worming, flea, and tick.
Grooming: Brush your puppy's teeth regularly, trim its nails when needed, and bathe it when dirty.
Patience and Reward
Positive Encouragement: Puppies learn best through positive reinforcement (rewards and praise) rather than punishment.
Consistency: Be consistent in your rules and training. Consistency helps your puppy understand what's expected of him.
Enjoy the Journey: Raising a puppy is hard work, but it's also full of fun and loving moments. Enjoy every step!
Advantages of raising a dog at home
Having dogs at home has many benefits for their owners, whether psychologically, physically, or socially. Here are the most prominent of these benefits:
Reducing stress, anxiety, and depression: Interacting with dogs, whether through play or petting, reduces levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases the secretion of oxytocin (the love hormone), bringing a sense of calm and comfort.
Combating loneliness and isolation: Dogs provide constant companionship and unconditional emotional support, reducing feelings of loneliness, especially for people living alone or the elderly.
Improving mood and optimism: Dogs bring joy and happiness through their playful and playful behavior. Seeing your dog happy and interacting with you can significantly improve your mood.
Increasing a sense of purpose and responsibility: Caring for another living being requires commitment and attention, giving dog owners a sense of purpose and responsibility, especially for children.
Coping with crises: Dogs can provide significant emotional support during times of stress, helping people overcome trauma and distress.
