|
|
|
If a puppy will be joining your family soon, or has recently arrived, keep these tips in mind to establish a happy, healthy foundation for your new pet.
- Training: The amount and kind of training you'll need depends on your experience with dogs, the dog you're getting and whether you want to do specialized activities with him in the future. If this is your first dog, or if it's been a long time since you've had one, it's well worth it to sign up for puppy training classes - you'll learn just as much as your puppy will.
- Nutrition: Just like parents teach kids to eat their veggies, a puppy parent is responsible for feeding their pup a diet that's rich in natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals.
- Health: Making regular trips to the vet is part of having a puppy. You'll need to make sure that he has all the necessary immunizations, checkups and medications. If you don't have an established relationship with a veterinarian, ask friends who have pets for recommendations and research clinics in your vicinity to find one that's right for you.
- Socialize: To ensure that your puppy will grow into a dog that is friendly, well-adjusted and well-behaved, it's important to expose him to new people and other animals in controlled environments. Encourage timid pups and try to calm bold pups so that they learn the value of getting along with everyone.
