Tips for New Puppy Owners

Tips for New Puppy Owners
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Tips for New Puppy Owners

Tips for new puppy owners

Tips for owning a puppy

Welcoming a puppy or new dog into your family is exciting but before rehoming a dog it is important to consider your living space, your lifestyle and working hours and how your pet will fit with your family. All of this will help you choose the right breed and pet for you.

Once you have found the right dog, it is time for home safety and arrival preparations.  Here are some of our tips and essential purchases to make life easier for you, and to make sure your new arrival is happy in his new home.

 

Vet and Insurance


Once you know your new dog is on the way start doing your research into local veterinary clinics and be ready to register your pup once he arrives.  New puppies should be vaccinated to help protect against highly infectious diseases - chat to your vet about your options.  It is also a good idea to speak to them about pet insurance to see which they recommend.  Pet insurance could save you money in the long run, should your dog ever need treatment.

 

Collecting your Dog


Collecting your new pet is a big moment but remember this can be a very stressful experience for the dog. Having some warm blankets, a comfortable pet carrier, water and food for the journey will help your new pup relax and it is best to avoid handling him too much if he seems nervous.

Feeding


Just like us your dog will need a carefully balanced diet, packed with high-quality ingredients which are key to maintaining healthy skin and coat, keeping eyes bright and keeping energy levels high. 

When making your choice consider your dog’s age and breed, as well as their level of activity and any health issues you may have been made aware of.  We have a range of dog food brands and supplements available and our sales team are happy to advise on the best food for your dog from the top ranges we stock.

Dog food

We would recommend investing in some ceramic or stainless-steel water and food bowls – these will be the most durable and are also less likely to be tipped by you or your dog. 

 

Sleeping


Exercising your dog in the evening will tire them out, so hopefully they’ll sleep and you’ll have a peaceful night.  Dogs can be pretty resilient when it comes to where they sleep, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like to be comfy. If you rehome a puppy it’s worth considering a bed that is waterproof (or at least washable) and if possibly something chewproof!

Dog Beds

 

Activity & Exercise


Your dog will love to get outside.  It is a chance to socialise with other animals and humans and explore as well as to get that much needed exercise! Although you can take new puppies out for walks until they’ve had the necessary injections you might want to spend time helping them get use to wearing a collar and lead as they explore your house and garden – just make sure both are puppy proof and secure!  An adjustable collar is great for growing puppies but small dogs may feel more comfortable in a harness as it protects their delicate necks. 

Collars and Harnesses

You can purchase an ID tag to identify your dog but by 8 weeks all dogs in the United Kingdom must be microchipped. This tiny chip (the size of a grain of rice) is injected under the skin at the neck and stores all your details such as name, address and contact number.  Contact your local Dog’s Trust for details of their free microchipping events. 

 

Toys are more than just playthings for your dog, they can help them develop new skills and improve their ability to learn.  Toys also promote natural behaviours such as foraging and exploring. On top of this, toys but can also be part of their dental care, especially for teething puppies. Puppies have 28 temporary teeth which are replaced by 42 permanent teeth at around 4 months old.  Like babies, puppy’s teeth and gums get sore during the teething process.  You might find your dog will chew on anything it can find around your house, so providing a chew toy which keeps their interest and give them something to bite is a great idea.

 

Grooming and dental care


It is so important to introduce your dog to grooming at a young age so they become used to the smells and sounds of the salon, and the sensation of being groomed. Work with your local groomer to get your pet off to the best start and your dog will quickly learn to love it.

Investing in some at home grooming tools can help your puppy get used to these tools, but is also a great way to maintain coat in between grooms, to avoid matts and keep coat shiny.

Care for teeth is essential for everyone – including your pet.  Your Dog uses it’s teeth to break, cut up and chew their food and recent studies have shown 80% of dogs show signs of gum disease by age 3.  We have some great products to maintain healthy teeth and gums and avoid bad breath.

 

This Tropiclean Fresh Breath Teeth Gel  works fast to help reduce plaque and tartar on dogs (and cats).

 

The Buster Dental Care Kit  features a toothbrush and a gum massager which fit on your finger and help remove plaque, tartar and debris from the teeth and gums. This set is great value for money and you can add a dog safe

 

Toilet training


One of the biggest challenges with a new puppy is toilet training.  You may think you’ve had that ‘eureka’ moment and then you pup has an accident and you feel like you’re back to square one.  Generally, puppies need to urinate 15 minutes after food and defecate within 30 minutes.  By having consistent mealtimes you’ll be able to judge when your puppy needs to go outside. Puppies weak bladder control so make sure you are taking them outside every couple of hours during the day.  Make sure to avoid common toilet training errors such as over feeding, inconsistent meal times and punishing for indoor accidents (this can make new dogs scared to to to the toilet in front of you – even outside).  Reward your dog when it goes to the toilet in the correct place with a suitable treat. Remember – allow time, have patience, be disciplined and  your puppy will soon be house trained. 

For any indoor accidents use Zoflora Fresh Home fragrant disinfectants which are pet friendly and will eliminate odours, killing 99.9% of bacteria & viruses and leaving behind a fresh scent. Theese products are formulated to be better tolerated by your pet's sense of smell.

Zoflora products

 

 

 

 

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