4 Things To Do After Getting A New Puppy
Posted on: 7 January 2016
When you decide to get a new puppy, there are some things you need to do. Aside from getting a pet bed, high-quality food, and scheduling play time, you also need to think about the puppy's health and training. Here are some important things to do after you get a new puppy.
Get a Vet
One of the first things you should do when you adopt a puppy is find a veterinarian if you don't already have one. Get recommendations from friends and loved ones if you don't already have a pet and aren't sure about the reputable veterinarians in the area. Schedule an appointment with the vet shortly after bringing the puppy home to get its first round of vaccinations and a physical examination. The vet might also have recommendations for getting the puppy spayed or neutered when it is old enough.
Invest in Puppy Training Classes
You should also start training the puppy right away, starting with its very first day home. The sooner you begin training, the easier it will be for the puppy to learn what is expected. If you aren't familiar with training puppies, take it to training classes or pay a trainer to come to your house. The training is not just for potty training, but also behavior training. The puppy learns how to listen to its master, where to go potty, when not to bark, and how to get along with other animals and people.
Set Up a Place for the Puppy
Before you bring the puppy in the house, have a nice place set up just for the puppy. This should be a quiet area of the home that can be left undisturbed. Puppies tend to be nervous when they leave the shelter or foster home and arrive in your home. Make sure it has a bed and crate because the crate will often become the puppy's sanctuary. This area should also be close to food, water, and toys to help make the puppy feel at home.
Introduce it to Other Pets Slowly
If you have other pets in the house, don't just let the puppy inside and trust them to behave themselves. You need to introduce it gradually to one pet at a time. Keep the other pets in a room with the door closed when you bring the puppy in. Let the puppy walk around and sniff the house before letting the other animals out. Gradually let one dog or cat out at a time, letting them sniff the puppy. Keep a close eye on them and keep the puppy in a private space for a while until they get used to it.
For a local animal hospital, contact a company such as Coble Animal Hospital.
Share