Monday, June 25, 2007
Taking Care of a New Puppy
Puppies are the source of so much happiness in the world, and bringing one home is an amazing experience for the whole family. Their playful, loving spirit can bring hours of enjoyment, but with all of the joy and fun puppies bring, many people neglect to consider their responsibility for this new little life, and the needs that must be met. Keeping a puppy healthy and raising it to be a positive addition to the household takes a little more time and energy than an older dog, and without the right advice, puppy care can seem impossible. However, with the right information and a little extra effort, anyone can provide a great new home for a puppy.
Newborn puppies are similar to human babies and need special care and protection. It is common for newborns to be stepped on or take tumbles down stairs, and for this reason puppies need to be in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves. Also, a newborn puppy does not have the ability to regulate its own body temperature very well. Just like an infant, they need to be kept warm. Of course blankets or a nursing mother can do the trick, but electric blankets are also an excellent solution. By placing the electric blanket under one section of its bed, the puppy can move from one side of the bed to the other to stay warm or cool off. Even though a puppy has trouble controlling its own temperature, it knows what it needs. The same care should be taken for a puppy when handling, feeding, and putting to bed as should be taken for any newborn. It is best to allow puppies to stay with the mother until the litter is 8 weeks old. Those first 8 weeks are fragile times for newborns, and after that time, the puppy is no longer dependant on the mother for food.
Before you pick up a new puppy, it is important to have the right supplies. Puppies need a sectioned off place to play, and a soft bed to sleep in. The play area can be made with a variety of things, just so that the puppy cannot get into trouble or find a new shoe to teethe on. The bed should be included in this space so the puppy can nap frequently. A small cardboard box with a pillow inside works great for a puppy bed. Puppies also need attention. The more attention your puppy receives, the more sociable it will become. Besides, that is why you are getting a puppy right? If you are concerned about how it will deal with other animals or with children, schedule regular supervised times for them to be around each other. Over time the puppy will certainly begin to enjoy the other's company.
Potty training is one of the most intense elements of puppy raising, but it must be done. There are so many techniques and strategies that would fill up an article on their own, but the important thing to realize is that it will take time and patience. If you cannot afford the time or do not have the patience, perhaps an older dog would be a better choice. It is also very important to take your puppy to a vet as soon as possible and return regularly to keep it current on all vaccinations. The vet can also recommend a good puppy food for your dog as well as many other helpful hints.
Above all, the most important part of getting a puppy is giving it love. Spend time with it and think about its needs, and a puppy experience will be extremely gratifying.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading dog rescue tool. An excellent online center for pet adoption. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Newborn puppies are similar to human babies and need special care and protection. It is common for newborns to be stepped on or take tumbles down stairs, and for this reason puppies need to be in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves. Also, a newborn puppy does not have the ability to regulate its own body temperature very well. Just like an infant, they need to be kept warm. Of course blankets or a nursing mother can do the trick, but electric blankets are also an excellent solution. By placing the electric blanket under one section of its bed, the puppy can move from one side of the bed to the other to stay warm or cool off. Even though a puppy has trouble controlling its own temperature, it knows what it needs. The same care should be taken for a puppy when handling, feeding, and putting to bed as should be taken for any newborn. It is best to allow puppies to stay with the mother until the litter is 8 weeks old. Those first 8 weeks are fragile times for newborns, and after that time, the puppy is no longer dependant on the mother for food.
Before you pick up a new puppy, it is important to have the right supplies. Puppies need a sectioned off place to play, and a soft bed to sleep in. The play area can be made with a variety of things, just so that the puppy cannot get into trouble or find a new shoe to teethe on. The bed should be included in this space so the puppy can nap frequently. A small cardboard box with a pillow inside works great for a puppy bed. Puppies also need attention. The more attention your puppy receives, the more sociable it will become. Besides, that is why you are getting a puppy right? If you are concerned about how it will deal with other animals or with children, schedule regular supervised times for them to be around each other. Over time the puppy will certainly begin to enjoy the other's company.
Potty training is one of the most intense elements of puppy raising, but it must be done. There are so many techniques and strategies that would fill up an article on their own, but the important thing to realize is that it will take time and patience. If you cannot afford the time or do not have the patience, perhaps an older dog would be a better choice. It is also very important to take your puppy to a vet as soon as possible and return regularly to keep it current on all vaccinations. The vet can also recommend a good puppy food for your dog as well as many other helpful hints.
Above all, the most important part of getting a puppy is giving it love. Spend time with it and think about its needs, and a puppy experience will be extremely gratifying.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading dog rescue tool. An excellent online center for pet adoption. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dog rescue, pet adoption
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]