Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home? Congratulations! Your bouncing baby ball of fur is bound to keep you smiling with his adorable antics and cute furry face. This is a very important time in Fido’s life, however. You’ve got some puppy parenting ahead of you! Here, a Cherry Hill, NJ vet discusses raising a polite puppy.
Training
Little Fido’s school should start right away. Teach your puppy important commands, such as
Sit
,
Stay
,
Come
,
Heel
, and
Lay Down
. Work on one thing at a time, and don’t move on until you know your furry student has mastered his current lesson. Housebreaking and crate training should also start immediately.
Socialization
Socialization is very important! Exposing little Fido to new places and faces when he’s young will help him form a positive opinion about the world. This will help keep him from becoming wary or unfriendly towards new people and experiences as an adult. There is a set window of time for the socialization process. By the time your canine pal reaches about 3 months, that window starts to close. Ask your vet for socialization tips.
Toys/Playtime
There’s an old saying that tired dogs are good dogs. Make sure little Fido has lots of fun toys to play with, and indulge him with long walks and vigorous play sessions. This will keep your furry friend happy and entertained. He’ll then be less likely to indulge in common puppy mischiefs like digging up flowerbeds or chewing shoes.
Chewing
Speaking of chewing, make sure you offer your furry buddy plenty of suitable chew toys. Keep personal items, like shoes and purses, out of paws’ reach. Treat items you can’t put away with taste deterrent.
Tail Wags
Spend lots of time with Fido, and make sure he feels loved and safe. Keep things positive and fun for your pet by focusing on rewarding him for good behavior. Don’t punish Fido if he misbehaves. It’s fine to tell your pup ‘No’ or ‘Bad dog’ if you catch him in the act of something, but anything more than that could backfire, and make the little guy feel anxious or frightened. To get that adorable tail wagging, offer lots of toys, treats, and belly rubs!
Please contact us, your Cherry Hill, NJ vet clinic, for all your puppy’s veterinary care needs. We love watching puppies grow into happy, healthy adult pooches!
