3 Interesting Care Tips for First-Time Dog Owners
If you want to be the best dog owner you can be, doing your research is the first step. By taking time to learn more about dogs and the care they require as puppies and adults, you’re far more likely to have a happy, well-adjusted dog that you can take with you on walks, trips, and have around guests.
Keep reading to learn three integral care tips that you need to know as a first-time dog owner!
Stay Consistent
Just like children, dogs need consistent rules and routines to stay at their happiest – especially when you’re introducing them to a new family and environment. Here are a few examples of rules and routines you may want to focus on instilling:
- No jumping on people
- No biting
- Eating at the same time each day
- Crate training at the same time
- Showing them toys they can chew
- And more
With a few rules in mind, make sure everyone in your household knows these rules and agrees to uphold them. This means explaining to your children that feeding your dog scraps is a no-no, or reminding your grandmother that letting your dog up on the couch isn’t the best idea!
Keep in mind that the best way to train a dog to not do something is through positive reinforcement. Physical punishments should never be a part of your training.
Socialize Dogs Early
If you’re adopting a puppy, socialization is a must! This is the process of helping your dog remain comfortable and even enjoy interactions with new people, places, animals, objects, and more. The more places, people, and objects they’re exposed to, the more likely they are to become a confident, well-adjusted adult dog in the future.
Socialization works the best when your puppy is between three and 14 weeks of age, but you can also help reactive adult dogs through exposure and socialization. Just make sure you get the help of a professional!
Be sure to take it slow. For instance, introduce them to a few new people on one day, and take them on a walk to a new place the next.
Consider Crate Training
Lastly, consider crate training your dog or puppy! Keep in mind that crate training should only be for behavior management – not for punishment. It’s also important not to leave your dog in the crate for too long. Puppies under six months old shouldn’t stay in a crate for more than four hours.
Crates are great because with the right training, they can become your dog’s “safe space.” It can calm anxiety if your dog has separation anxiety, feels fearful around new people, hears loud noises outside, and more.
Schedule an Appointment With Your Chandler, AZ Veterinarian
Keep in mind that to be the best pet parent you can be, it’s important that you schedule wellness checks with your veterinarian every six months to a year. Through a thorough head-to-tail examination, we are able to catch issues early before your pet experiences more pain or discomfort. Ready to schedule an appointment with a compassionate and experienced Chandler, AZ veterinarian? Contact us today!