It Christmas morning. The kids come down the steps, expecting toys and presents but things will be better than they expect because there under the tree, with a bow on its head is a new cuddly puppy. But whether you know it or not, as cute and cuddly as that puppy is, it is also a bundle of work for someone and some additional expense. Its important to get off to the right start with the little critter, here's 7 things to keep in mind:
House Breaking - Its important to get a good start with house breaking. A puppy will tend to go to the potty in the same place it went to the potty last time, so wherever you want the spot to be make sure to give the little fur ball plenty of opportunity to use that spot.
House Breaking 2 - A puppy has a small bladder and digestive system. Like a baby human they poop and pee a lot. If they drink or eat something THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO so be proactive and take him or her to the appropriate spot.
Puppy Proofing - At this point the house probably is not puppy proofed and in fact it is probably puppy dangerous. There are wires, ribbons, paper and other tempting tidbits to chew on for your new resident. Puppies love to chew on stuff and have a potential to eat whatever they are chewing on, this can be a trip to the emergency vet so again, be proactive.
Not Puppy Food - As tempting as it might be, don't fill your puppy with the typical Christmas treats found in a house, like cookies, turkey and candy. This is a formula for vomiting or diarrhea and diarrhea is bad for anyone but can be very bad for a puppy.
Pass The Pup - Another way to get your puppy to throw up is to pass him around and have him or held just too much. Hold her and love her but do it in moderation.
Sleeping Beauty - Puppies sleep a lot. Alot. Be sure to give your puppy some quiet time to snooze and when he or she wakes up, its off to the potty, right away!
Puppy Place - Be sure to make a special place for your puppy. A place that's his or hers, whether its a fancy crate or a card board box (make sure he can't eat it) that is puppy proof. Don't make the area too big, it should be big enough for him to stand up and turn around, limiting the size will discourage accidents in the area.
A puppy is a big responsibility, think of it like having a human baby to look after. A baby dog has a lot in common with a baby human. If you haven't had the new addition to the vets yet, make sure to make an appointment to get his or her health checked out.
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