Puppies are the cutest things in the world – all that fluff and that amazing puppy-smell. As a new dog owner, it’s easy to get sidetracked by how cute your new family member is, and forget that he needs the right care.
If you want your pup to grow into a healthy, happy dog, you need to focus on how you are raising him. Just like a small child, puppies need lots of love, discipline, and of course, time to play. Want to ensure that your puppy grows into a happy dog? Here are out top tips for helping your pup to grow into a perfectly rounded dog.
Socialization
If you want your puppy to be the type of dog that you can take anywhere, early socialisation is crucial. A fantastic way to socialise your puppy is by taking him to puppy groups or parties so that he can meet other dogs and people.
You need to introduce your puppy to different people, places and sounds so that he becomes a confident and happy dog. If you want him to be good with other animals, like cats and rabbits, early introduction is also important. Don’t make the mistake of stopping your dog from sniffing, dogs learn via their noses. So allowing your pup to sniff while he’s out and about is important.
Training
Dogs are incredibly smart, but if you don’t train them properly, you can’t expect them to behave well. If you want your puppy to grow into a happy, healthy dog, you need to take him to puppy training classes from a young age. While the earlier you start your pup’s training, the better, it’s never too late to enroll him in classes.
As well as teaching him basic commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, training will also improve his behaviour. He’ll learn that you are in control, not him, and will understand that when you say no, that you mean it. Opt for training classes that are short and simple, but also teach him all the things that he needs to know. Rewards should be used so that when your dog behaves, he learns that he is given a treat.
Lots of toys
Young dogs, especially puppies, require lots of stimulation. Otherwise, they will get bored and because of this, may become destructive. Unless you want your dog to chew your furniture or rip up your carpets, you need to give him lots of toys to keep him occupied.
As well as all the regular toys and chews for dogs – balls and teddies, how about getting him some educational toys? The Kong range of toys is amazing – there are so many fantastic items that will help to keep them entertained.
Regular walks
Just like us, dogs need exercise to stay healthy. If you want your puppy to become a healthy, strong dog, he needs to be walked at least twice a day. The length of the walks he needs will depend on his breed, but these tend to range between 20 and 40 minutes.
If you don’t let your dog have a good run around each day, he may become overweight. Dogs that are fat don’t have good lives, as the extra weight can cause all sorts of health problems, including diabetes. To ensure that your pup becomes a healthy adult, make sure he is getting all the exercise he needs.
To make sure that your puppy grows up to be a happy, well-behaved dog, take note of the tips above.
