Prepare for the perfect puppy homecoming
The Pet Food Industry has released the top 10 tips to help welcome home the newest addition to your family.
IT is easy to get caught up in the excitement of bringing home a new puppy, but it is best to make sure you are well prepared to welcome the newest addition to your family.
Here are 10 tips to make the transition an easy one:
1. Investigate the breeder or shelter before committing to taking on one of the animals as the developmental environment in which dogs spend their first weeks of life is extremely important to their development.
2. Be ready for your puppy’s homecoming with a bed, collar and lead, water and food bowls, food, appropriate puppy treats and toys are all essential for when the puppy enters your home.
3. Get your home puppy ready by blocking off any areas that they should not have access to and safeguarding items from sharp teeth that are looking for something to gnaw on.
4. If possible, book a few days off from work to help the puppy through the transition and allow for a bond to be made.
5. Enrol your puppy in a reputable puppy school that uses positive methods of reinforcement to allow socialisation to continue even after leaving the litter.
6. Have treats and toys handy to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
7. Avoid an upset tummy by continuing to feed the same food that the puppy has been eating. The adjustment of moving into a new home is stressful enough, so it’s imperative that the gut is supported during the transition by maintaining a consistent diet.
8. Start training as early as possible. And this doesn’t mean through the puppy school – every interaction at home is an opportunity to train your puppy, so have treats ready to reward the behaviours you want to encourage.
9. Get into a routine as quickly as possible as this will provide reassurance and stability for your puppy.
10. Find a vet that is close by and are comfortable with. Keep up your pet’s vet visits to ensure the best start to life. It’s also advisable to sign up for pet medical insurance, to give you the peace of mind that most medical expenses will be covered throughout your pet’s life.
