For many families, the idea of bringing home a little puppy is an exciting prospect. Puppies are undeniably adorable and incredibly fun to have around. There is also something to be said for raising your dog from a young age and establishing its place in the family early on in life.
That being said, it is important to remember that caring for a puppy is hard work. In fact, far too many people learn this lesson the hard way and end up returning their puppies because they cannot dedicate the necessary time and attention required when training and raising a young pup.
Before you decide to adopt a puppy, there are several things that you need to understand. Once you have a good handle on what will be required of you in regard to caring for your puppy, you can then make a plan for how to give your pup everything it needs to grow up happy and healthy.
With that in mind, here are three of the main things that you will need to do when you decide to adopt a young puppy.
1. Take Them to the Vet
Within the first few days of having your puppy, you should look to take them to the vet. This should be done even if they aren’t sick or injured in any way. Your vet will want to evaluate your puppy to make sure that they don’t have any underlying health issues present.
Furthermore, there are a variety of vaccinations and immunizations that your puppy should be given from a young age. Your veterinarian will be able to schedule these properly so that your dog can grow up happy and healthy.
Make the first appointment for your puppy at Pet Nest Animal Hospital before you even bring them home so that you can ensure that they are taken care of as soon as possible by a qualified and reliable veterinarian.
2. Make a Training Plan
The next thing that many people underestimate when they plan to adopt a young puppy is just how complicated it can be to train them. This is an area that you will want to place some particular attention on right off the bat.
From housebreaking your pup to making sure that they are comfortable in their crate, there are several aspects of training that you can start right away. With the right plan in place, you can help your dog to settle into their new routine and find consistency in their new home sooner rather than later.
3. Adjust Your Schedule
One of the most common misconceptions about owning a puppy is that they will simply find a way to fit into your established routine. However, the reality is that you will need to adjust your schedule a bit in order to accommodate the needs of your new puppy, especially early on. Make sure that you have enough leeway in your schedule to allow for things like exercising your puppy, taking them out for potty breaks, and taking them to the vet for their routine care.
