Congratulations on your decision to get a puppy! Puppies are adorable, fun, and bring so much joy and love to our lives. However, raising a puppy is a responsibility and requires a lot of patience, time, and effort. To help ensure you give your new furry friend its best life, we have created the ultimate puppy guide!
- Prepare your home: Before bringing your puppy home, ensure the environment is puppy-proofed. This involves removing and/or securing any hazardous items, such as sharp objects, toxic substances and loose wires. Also, provide a comfortable and safe place for your pup to sleep and play.
- Find a veterinarian: Your puppy needs routine vet check-ups, vaccination shots, and preventative care, so finding a trusted vet is key. We’d love to provide you with trusted veterinary care, so why not book an appointment for your pet via our website.
- Establish routines: Create a schedule for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. Puppies thrive on routine and consistency, so stick to the schedule as much as possible to avoid confusion and stress.
- Socialise your puppy: Expose your puppy to different people, animals, and environments to help them become well-adjusted and confident. Ask our team for advice on how to safely socialise your puppy.
- Train your puppy: Obedience training is essential for a well-behaved and happy puppy. Teach basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and down, using positive reinforcement techniques. Our puppy preschool classes are great for this purpose.
- Provide exercise and mental stimulation: Puppies have high energy levels and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Take your pup on walks, play fetch and provide puzzle toys for mental stimulation.
- Feed a nutritious diet: Choose a high-quality puppy food that meets your pup’s nutritional needs. Feel free to ask our veterinarians for feeding recommendations.
- Groom your puppy: Regular grooming, such as brushing, bathing and nail trimming keeps your pup clean and healthy. Checking their teeth and ears is also important. Our veterinarians can show you how to do this from home.
- Practice preventive healthcare: Keep your puppy up to date on vaccinations, heartworm prevention and flea/tick medication to keep them disease-free. Our clinic keeps a wide range of preventatives on hand for puppies and dogs of all sizes.
- Give lots of love and affection: Finally, show your puppy lots of love and affection. Puppies thrive on attention and affection from their human companions.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to raising a happy and healthy puppy!
