How to take care of a puppy in Phoenixville, PA
If you have a new puppy in your household in Phoenixville, or if you’re thinking about adopting one, it’s a good idea to brush up on everything you need to know about caring for a young animal. Puppy care can be overwhelming whether you’ve been through the experience before or not, and if you’re unsure how to take care of your new furry friend, you’ve come to the right place.
Read through the article below to find out some of the most important tips for puppy care. With the help of this information, you can get ready for your new puppy ahead of time or start caring for her properly right away.
Potty Train Early
You should begin working on potty training your new puppy from the day you bring her home. Although she may not quite get the hang of it yet, you’ll need to set her up for success by helping her understand potty training early.
Every time your dog needs to potty, take her outdoors right away. Give her lots of praise and treats when she potties outside so she will understand that is what she’s meant to do.
Provide White Noise for Comfort
Your young puppy will miss being with her mother and her littermates. She will particularly miss the noises associated with being a part of a litter, and this may make her feel lonely and uncomfortable when she’s by herself.
You can help your puppy feel better and provide her with some comfort by using white noise. Ocean sounds can mimic the noise of being in the womb, and heartbeat sounds can remind her of being near her siblings. Both options are great choices for new puppies.
High-Quality Puppy Food
Choose a high-quality puppy food and begin feeding it to your puppy from day one. The sooner she goes on a good quality food, the healthier she will be throughout her puppy stages and beyond. Choose a food that has a lot of whole, real ingredients and does not contain too many fillers for best results.
If you have any questions or need some suggestions for good puppy foods, talk to your vet. The vet can recommend some of the best brands on the market to help ensure your puppy is getting all the nutrition she needs while she’s growing and developing into an adult dog.
Consider Crate Training
Puppies respond well to crate training, but it takes a little patience and effort on the part of the human family members, too. If you’re thinking about crate training your puppy, this can be an excellent way to help her learn to potty outside and to help her remain calm when she’s on her own, too.
At first, however, your puppy will be very upset about being crated away from the rest of the family. You will need to be patient and calm with her, and you’ll need to stay firm in her crate training even when she whines and cries. With time, she will grow to recognize her crate as her safe space.
Be Cautious Going Outside
For the first couple of months, you’ll need to be especially careful when taking your dog outside. If possible, carry her outside, let her do her business, and then carry her back indoors. Do not encourage her to spend too much time outside until she’s had her full round of puppy shots.
Puppies are susceptible to many diseases that can be found in soil and water outside. For this reason, you should keep your new puppy indoors as much as possible until her puppy shots are completed. At that time, she can start spending more time outdoors.
Follow a Vaccination Schedule
Follow a vaccination schedule that will be provided to you by your new puppy’s vet. This schedule will ensure your dog is getting the shots she needs when she needs them, and these shots will protect her and keep her healthy during her early developmental stages as well.
The right vaccination schedule for your dog will depend on her breed, her weight, and her activities. You can talk to your vet for more information, and the vet will be able to give you a specific guideline for your individual dog’s needs.
Conclusion
These tips should help you get started with your new puppy, but remember that every dog is a unique individual and that your puppy’s experience may be different from the next. If you have any further questions or concerns, be sure to speak to a trusted vet for more assistance.
You will also need to start taking your puppy to a good quality vet as soon as you bring her home. She will need a lot of vaccinations and care during her first year of life, so form a solid relationship with your vet as soon as possible for best results. Call us today at (610) 935-8110 or Request an Appointment for your new puppy today in Phoenixville.