4 Tips for New Puppy Care in Sewell, NJ

Are you thinking about bringing a new furry family member home soon? Or have you already made the choice and now find yourself adrift without any idea what to do next? Puppies provide a lot of entertainment and love, but they also require a great deal of attention and care. Understanding what your puppy needs before you bring her home can help you prepare for the coming months. With this information, you’ll be able to get a head start on your new puppy care in Sewell, NJ.

In this article, you’ll learn a handful of basics to keep in mind when you have a new puppy in the house. Remember that every puppy is different, so these tips may vary from dog to dog. However, for the most part, they can provide you with a great starting point and keep you from becoming too overwhelmed as you move forward through your time with your new addition.

Prepare for Sleepless Nights with Your New Puppy

Your puppy is going to get lonely during the night when she wakes up and realizes no one is around to play with her or give her attention. Just like a human baby, she is likely to start whining or crying when this happens. She may also cry if she wakes up hungry or needs to go to the bathroom. It’s your job to know when to respond and when to bear it, at least for a little while, so your puppy doesn’t expect you to come running every time she whimpers about something.

Unfortunately, it can be very challenging to get this right, especially for new puppy owners. Finding the right balance can help your puppy grow into a more well-adjusted adult dog. Try not to go overboard with coddling your puppy when they cry. However, don’t completely ignore them, as they may be trying to tell you they needs something or have a problem.

Get Ready for House Training with Your New Puppy in Sewell, NJ

One of the biggest challenges of raising a new puppy is teaching them to go to the bathroom outside instead of wherever they want. Although it may seem impossible at first, puppies learn fast, and your new family member will pick up on what you want them to do quickly when you teach them with positive reinforcement.

Crate training is a great way to help your puppy learn to potty outdoors. Keep your puppy in a crate with their bed while they’re not being actively watched. Every two hours, take them outside and give them a good chance to do their business. When they gets it right, reward them with a treat.

When your puppy has indoor accidents, don’t yell at, hit, or scare them. It is okay to firmly tell them “no” if you catch them in the act, and then quickly redirect them outdoors so they can understand what they’re supposed to do. However, if you don’t catch your puppy in the process of using the bathroom indoors, you should not reprimand them. Your new puppy won’t know what they’re in trouble for and may associate your anger with something else they’re doing—such as sitting quietly in their crate.

Create a Safe Home for a Puppy

Your puppy can and will get into anything that interests him, whether you’re there to stop him or not. For this reason, a puppy-proof home can protect him as well as your belongings as he grows up.

Put any plants out of reach of your dog until they’re old enough to ignore them. Many plants are toxic or harmful to dogs if chewed or swallowed. Remove chemicals from low cabinets or shelves where they could access them, and make sure not to store any medication within their reach.

Move electrical cords and charges off of the floor and pick up anything your dog may consider a chew toy. Block off pet doors and any small opening that could allow your puppy access to the outdoors until they’re properly trained. A little extra care and consideration can go a long way toward protecting your new puppy in Sewell, NJ.

Start Socializing Your Puppy

One of your puppy’s first socialization experiences should be an obedience class—especially if you’re unable to train them yourself. However, you should wait until your dog has all of their shots before you let them go into spaces where other dogs may be present. This way, you won’t risk your puppy’s health and they’ll be much less likely to contract illnesses spread by other dogs.

When your puppy’s shots are up to date, she can enroll in socialization classes as well. This may also be a good time to consider starting her at a doggy daycare, especially if no one is available to keep an eye on her in the household for several hours at a time each day. A doggie daycare will provide your puppy with plenty of chances to learn more about other dogs and understand how to interact with them, too.

Finally, try taking your puppy to the dog park when she’s had all of her shots. This will allow her to interact with other dogs as well as with other people.

New Puppy Care is Crucial for Sewell, NJ Pet Owners

Following the tips listed above can help you get started on the path to raising a healthy and happy puppy in Sewell, NJ. However, there’s a lot more to puppy-rearing than just what we’ve discussed here. Be sure to learn as much as you can before you bring your new dog home, or immediately after. The more prepared you are, the better off you and your puppy will be.

Don’t forget, too, that you should always build a strong rapport with your vet from the very beginning. Your vet will provide you with plenty of suggestions and information along the way and will be one of the most valuable resources throughout the life of your dog. While she’s still a puppy, your vet will provide vaccinations and other wellness care for them along the way. Get to know your vet early for help every step of the way.

We all know puppies are notorious for getting themselves into sticky situations, so if you ever have an emergency or need urgent vet care, Pet Check Urgent Care is here for you!