Tips & Tricks for Caring for a Puppy

Puppies bring both endless joy and headaches into the lives of their people. They are a big responsibility, requiring a significant time and money commitment. Therefore, it is prudent that the decision to adopt one be well planned out. When taking in a puppy, you are pledging to love and care for him until the end of his life. This 10- to 20-year commitment may be one of the most educational, frustrating and rewarding experiences of your life.

  1. Exercise and Grooming

    • As puppies need a lot of exercise, it's important that you spend time with your puppy, either in a fenced yard or dog park. If you leave him alone in the yard, make sure he has sufficient water, a dog house to stay warm and shade to cool off in. Don't leave him alone for long periods, as he may break out of the yard, injure himself or overheat. Even with access to a park or fenced yard, your puppy should be walked at least once a day. Grooming is also important for his health. Depending on hair length, your puppy should be brushed daily to once a week to avoid mats and excessive shedding. He should also be bathed and have his nails trimmed regularly.

    Safety, Comfort and Amusement

    • The environment your puppy lives in is very important to his well-being. While preparing for the arrival of your new friend, consider where he will spend the majority of his time. Remove any obstacles that could cause the puppy harm. These might include sharp objects or poisonous and toxic substances. As your puppy may feel some anxiety about moving into a new home, make sure his living and sleeping quarters are as comfortable as possible. Create a soft bed for the puppy. Additionally, blankets, stuffed animals or a space heater may help him sleep more soundly. Finally, make sure your puppy's environment is full of fascinating amusements to keep him entertained and out of trouble. Bones to chew on, balls and squeaky toys are all good options.

    Food and Health

    • Like children, puppies are continuously growing and therefore need well-balanced diets. Milk, chicken, oatmeal, vegetables, rice and cheese are some foods that are good for puppies. If you choose to feed your puppy store-bought food, buy a dry food made specifically for puppies. Feed your puppy two or three times a day, depending on how hungry he acts. Let him eat as much as he wants for 15 minutes and then pick up the food. Continuously available food encourages overeating, which can cause health problems. Also, do not give your puppy an excess of treats or table scraps. This practice encourages aggressive begging and can ruin an otherwise balanced diet.

    Training

    • To maintain your sanity and develop a solid relationship with your puppy, early training is crucial. While obedience comes from mutual respect, a desire to please and a taught understanding of the concept, house training is slightly more complicated. Your puppy must not only understand when and where you want him to go the bathroom, he must choose to follow the direction, even at his own inconvenience. Establish a teacher-student relationship early in the training process. Do this by praising and rewarding good behavior, while ignoring or gently scolding bad behavior. Teach your puppy where to go the bathroom by taking him there immediately after he eats, drinks, wakes up or gets excited. Stay with your puppy until he defecates, praising him for success.