10 ways to learn to live happily
with your new family puppy
Your new puppy is furry, cuddly, and full of joy - -but lots of work. Living happily with this bundle of fun can be one of the best or one of the most trying times of life for both you and your children. The following 10 guidelines can be used to make raising your new family puppy a delightful adventure and learning experience for everyone involved:
1. Use a crate for housebreaking your puppy, and during the chewing phase. Under no circumstances use the crate for punishment or as a convenience when the puppy is left alone all day. Dogs have traditionally been social animals and lived in packs. They would establish leadership, claim territory and seek out a 'den' as a snug, secure place to sleep. I have found that the best way to get a puppy to accept the crate as his/her safe place, is to feed him/her in their crate. The crate must be large enough for the growing puppy to sit up and/or stretch out in.
2. Never physically abuse your puppy. Most puppy errors are owner errors, as with children, they must be taught manners with a firm 'no' and lots of praise or a treat when it has done right.
3. If you have more than one child, let each child share in the responsibility. All children, regardless of their age, are capable of doing some chore involved with care and control or the puppy. A pre-schooler can help feed the puppy, a teenager can help take the puppy for walks or in housebreaking.
4. Brush and groom your puppy regularly. This helps remove dead hair. Brushing your puppy regularly allows you to check for unusual lumps, scratches, cuts, parasites etc. Also, if you are going to be showing your dog, it makes grooming for the show much easier. Regular grooming is important for the health of the puppy as well as making it look good.
5. Do not overstress your new puppy. Like any baby, the puppy has limited stamina. Physical and emotional stress can cause minor to severe health problems for your puppy, as well as contribe to an unacceptable temperament. Maintain a constant schedule for your puppy. Make sure that the puppy is fed on a regular schedule and always has lots of fresh water available and a quiet place to rest. The puppy will be an important, very active member of your family. Puppies also need special time each and every day. You can play with him, take him for a walk, groom him, teach him tricks, etc.
6. Ensure that your puppy is fed a complete and balanced diet. Growing puppies have a high energy and nutrient requirement. Feeding a complete and balanced diet will ensure that the puppies bones, teeth, etc. all grow properly. It is not advisable to feed a puppy scraps directly from the table, you are teaching the puppy that begging is an acceptable form of behavior. Scraps should be minimal and healthy choices if given at all.
7. The amount of exercise that a dog requires is determined by what breed you have. Sporting and Working dogs are usually strong and muscular and quite energetic. Sprinted runs and brisk walks should be done as often as possible. Smaller breeds may be taken for regular walks. in some of the flat-nosed breeds extreme cold or heat can be harmful.
8. Have your puppy vaccinated. The puppy should have come to you with its first set of shots, but it is necessary to complete the whole program of vaccinations to ensure that the puppy is protected. Your veterinarian can provide you with all the information.
9. Take your puppy to the veterinarian at least once a year, this is to ensure that your puppy has up to date vaccinations to keep it protected from hepatitis, parainfluenza, corona, rabies, etc. If your puppy has any known health problems, take it for check-ups more often.
10. Give your puppy lots of affection. Touch him, play with him, talk to him, etc. This promotes a healthy home atmosphere for your family and your puppy. Try to avoid rough-housing with your puppy even though it is 'cute' to hear a tiny puppy act tough. It's not so cute when an adult dog acts tough...
With planning and patience a puppy can make family life fun. In addition, your children can learn responsibility, decision making, risking failure which are all important leadership skills.
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