Thinking About a New Puppy? We’ve Got You Covered.

Raising a puppy is an extremely rewarding experience, but it can also come with many difficulties. In order to truly experience all the wonderful aspects of a new puppy (sweet, playful, adorable, innocent), we also must embrace the more challenging ones (potty training, chewing, biting). The Gentle Vet survival guide aims to help you balance all the good with things that need “improvement.” 

The Power of Cuteness

The emotional high that follows the adoption of a new puppy can last many days, but eventually a loss of sleep can temper all those good feelings. Even if they are a good sleeper, a new puppy cannot help but chew everything in sight or experience accidents inside the home as they adjust to a new space.

The important thing to remember is that a new puppy never intentionally does anything to make you mad, or cause problems in their new home. They just have a lot to learn, and you’re the best person for the job.

Acquiring the Right Stuff

Your puppy might want to follow you around and never be separated from you, especially at night. You can encourage your new puppy to sleep in their very own bed if it’s just the right size and made of the comfiest material. It can take a while, but training a new puppy to sleep in their own bed has benefits that last a long time. 

They’ll need their own appropriately-sized food and water bowls. Purchase stainless steel bowls that are easy to clean and refill (and not fun to chew on).

Offer them the best chew toys and treat them when they use those instead of your shoes. They’ll also need a crate, leash/collar/ID tags, puppy pads, waste baggies, and a toothbrush and puppy toothpaste (it’s never too early to introduce dental care). 

New Puppy Rules

Create a routine for your new puppy. Until they are fully trained, they need to go to the bathroom every 2-4 hours, and immediately following meals, waking up, and before sleep. Use the same words every time they go, and indicate where you want them to go. Rewards are key at this stage and reinforce good behavior.

Successful Methods

Puppy proofing the home and yard can take time. Even things that never seemed hazardous before can be dangerous for a young pup. Remove anything from the floor that could endanger them, and conduct a daily sweep to eliminate possible threats to their health and wellness.

Speaking of health and wellness, schedule an exam for your new puppy shortly after you bring them home. We can discuss vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, nutrition, behavior, training, socialization, parasite prevention, and so much more.

We pride ourselves on building a strong rapport with all of our clients and their pets, and look forward to meeting your new puppy soon! 
Please call us at (330) 665-5915 to schedule an appointment. The Gentle Vet is always happy to help.