Getting a new puppy is a very exciting time. However, it’s also a time full of responsibility and lots of learning on the job. If you’re planning on getting a newborn puppy, then you should make sure to follow these five tips to help keep your newest family member healthy.
Don’t Separate a Puppy From Its Mommy Too Soon
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Puppies need to stay with their mother for twelve weeks for healthy growth and development. Your puppy will not have full use of all its senses until about weeks seven to nine, and its mother’s milk provides the nutrients it needs for normal development. In addition, similar to humans, drinking mother’s milk helps with developing a healthy immune system in early and later life.
When puppies are four to six weeks old, they are learning about being a dog, so it’s very important to keep them with their mother and littermates. By nine to 12 weeks, puppies are developing social skills with their littermates, learning to explore their environment, and focusing on people.
Create a Safe Space for Your Puppy
Your puppy needs a safe place where it can play and rest. Puppies like to chew, so remove things that could harm them, like poisonous plants, chemicals, electrical cords, etc., from the area where the puppy roams. (FYI: You should also remove anything you simply don’t want chewed up.)
If you use a crate, be sure to use soft bedding and treats at first to coax your puppy in and show her that this is her personal and secure space to rest. Don’t use the crate as punishment.
Take Your Puppy to the Vet
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You should take your puppy to the vet for a full physical as soon as possible. This can help to detect any health problems early on and set up a vaccination schedule. If you notice any abnormalities in your puppy’s behavior, appearance, or eating patterns, you should contact your veterinarian right away. To help you stay on top of any potential health problems, services like Kuddly.co give you 24/7 access to veterinarians where you can ask questions via chat or email for less money than a traditional visit to the vet.
Let Them Use Their Energy
Puppies have a lot of energy to expend. It’s important for you to give them regular exercise through walking, playing, and providing them with ample room to run and play on their own.
Socialize Them With People and Other Dogs
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Socializing your puppy with other dogs early on will prevent territorial or aggressive behavior. Dog parks and doggy dates are great ways to help your pup learn to play and get along with other dogs. If you have young children, it’s important to make sure that the puppy has supervised contact with them early on. During these encounters, you should teach your kids how to touch and play with the puppy.
If you have questions, your vet is one the best resources for answering both health and development-related questions. In addition to this, it’s very important to do proper research on how and when to start training your pup.
