5 Things to Think About When Welcoming a Puppy Home
Awww, puppies – they’re fluffy,
fun and full of love. But for every inch of cuteness, puppies are also darn
hard work. They demand time, money and (above everything else) plenty of love
and affection.
So there’s actually plenty to
consider (and prepare) if you’re soon to welcome a new four-legged friend into
your home.
1. Get ready for the nipping, chewing and biting
Puppies have are incredibly
inquisitive nature (and by virtue of this, they also have an appetite for
chewing on sofas, shoes and just about anything else that takes their fancy).
At first, they’ll explore their
boundaries by chewing up your personal items right in front of you. And as they
gradually begin to learn that this behavior is met with a firm “no”, they’ll
move on to chewing things out of your sightline (so you’ll need to keep a beady
eye on them at all times – or move things out of their reach!).
It’s important that you hop onto
this behavior while they’re in the act. Dogs can’t comprehend being disciplined
for things that have happened a while back (even with you pointing at a
slobbered up, chewed up shoe).
You could also try dousing your
items with bitter apple spray, which is odorless, but leaves an unsavory tangy
taste in the mouth.
Finally, bear in mind that dogs
don’t chew and bite things to be naughty. They could also be teething, and it
can be a sign of malnutrition or hunger.
2. Puppy-safe zone your home
While your new recruit is in
training, you may want to consider zoning your house off. Many new dog owners
buy baby gates and play pens, which protect certain rooms and create a safe
space while they’re home alone.
3. Feed me, feed me! – How much?!
Puppy tummies are rumbling for
food practically all the time. In fact, they actually need feeding as much as
four times the amount as a fully-grown adult dog! But this isn’t so surprising
when you consider that pups should be gaining at least one to two grams per
adult pound per day.
There are special formulas of dog
food for pups – and with good reason, too; they are enriched with vitamins,
minerals and fats, as well as including a higher protein content.
You should also do your research
into the breed of your dog, as some have unique dietary needs compared to
others.
4. Walkies!! – How often?”
Pups generally require around 5
minutes of exercise per month of age until they’ve reached adulthood (at which the time they’ll be able to get out and about for longer periods).
Some breeds – like huskies,
border collies, boxers and dalmatians – will require more exercise than most
(so it’s well worth doing your research before deciding which breed you can
commit to).
You’ll also need to bear in mind
your pup’s jabs. Most vets don’t recommend letting your pup out until one week
following their second jab. But don’t worry – if they’re yet to be fully
inoculated, you can still play with them and exercise them at home.
5. Goodbye, farewell – is this forever??!?!
Puppies can be notoriously prone
to separation anxiety. Training is the first step to showing your dog that you
WILL return. This simply involves leaving them in a safe room, saying goodbye,
and waiting outside. Do not return until your pup has stopped whimpering or
barking. Once they’ve calmed down, enter the room, praise them and give them a
treat.
Repeat this process over and over
until they know that:
- There’s no need to shout and stress
- You ARE coming back
- It’s far better if they remain calm and collected
FOMO bones also help when the
time comes to actually leave them all alone. With all-natural CBD, your dogs'
natural levels of calming cannabinoids are about to get a welcome boost.
FOMO Bones contain passionflower
(for topping up their GABA, which can become depleted in stressful situations);
Valerian Root (a herbal plant with mild sedative properties) and Chamomile (the
white flower known for soothing nerves and lulling you to sleep).
This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.