PREPARING FOR YOUR PUPPY

THE DOG, IN LIFE THE FIRMEST FRIEND, THE FIRST TO WELCOME, QUICKEST TO DEFEND.

YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE MONTHS AND NOW THE BIG DAY IS FINALLY HERE. YOU BRING YOUR LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY HOME AND SUDDENLY THE WORK BEGINS. HOUSETRAINING, TEETHING, AND ANXIETY OVER MISSED LITTERMATES ARE ONLY PART OF THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH RAISING A PUPPY TO BECOME A HAPPY AND WELL ADJUSTED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

CRATES

DOGS ARE INSTINCTIVELY DEN ANIMALS, SO CRATE TRAINING IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO MAKE PUPPIES FEEL SAFE AND PROTECTED IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT. CRATES ARE ALSO A GREAT WAY TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM UNNECESSARY DAMAGE AND ACCIDENTS WHILE YOU ARE AWAY.

BEDS

GIVING PUPPIES A NEST OR BOLSTERED AREA TO SLEEP IN, CAN MAKE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR LITTERMATES A LITTLE LESS STRESSFUL AND GIVE THEM A FEELING OF SECURITY.  IT CAN ALSO HELP KEEP YOUR PUPPY FROM MAKING YOUR BED HIS NEW FAVORITE SPOT.

FOOD

PUPPIES HAVE VERY SPECIFIC NUTRITIONAL NEEDS AND REQUIRE SPECIAL FOOD DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR OF LIFE TO ENSURE PROPER DEVELOPMENT.   STARTING YOUR PUPPY OFF RIGHT WITH A PREMIUM FOOD, WILL PROVIDE THE NUTRITION YOUR PUPPY NEEDS FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE.

COLLARS AND NAME TAGS

FOR THEIR PROTECTION AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND, SHOULD THEY BECOME LOST, ALL PUPPIES SHOULD HAVE A COLLAR OR HARNESS WITH A NAME TAG.   WALKING PUPS ON A LEAD HELPS ENSURE THEIR SAFETY.

HOUSETRAINING

ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF RAISING A PUPPY CAN BE HOUSETRAINING.  USING A TRAINING AID LIKE PUDDLE PADS IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO TEACH YOUR PUPPY, WHERE TO GO AND KEEP ACCIDENTS IN YOUR HOME TO A MINIMUM.

TOYS AND TREATS

A GREAT WAY TO BOND WITH YOUR PUPPY IS WITH TOYS AND TREATS. TREATS CAN BE A VARIETY OF TYPES.  PLUSH SQUEAKY TOYS CAN BE USED FOR PLAY OR COMFORT. RAWHIDE CHEW CHIPS AND/OR STICKS FOR TEETHING AND CHEWING WILL SAVE MUCH LOVED FURNITURE AND HELP KEEP THE PUPPY OUT OF TROUBLE.  RUBBER TOYS WITH HOLES CAN BE FILLED WITH TREATS AND KEEP YOUR PUPPY OCCUPIED FOR HOURS. THESE ARE IDEAS THAT HAVE PROVEN OVER THE TEST OF TIME TO BE OF HELP IN AIDING THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE NEW PUPPY LIVING IN A NEW HOME  AND IT SHOULD GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR WAY TO RAISING A HAPPY AND HEALTHY PUP.

ABOVE ALL ELSE, GIVE THEM CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND LOTS OF LOVE AND YOU'LL HAVE A FAITHFUL MEMBER OF THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME.