So you’ve made the plunge and gotten the puppy you’ve always wanted. The puppy is cute now, sleeping in its crate … but that puppy is going to grow up into an adult dog, and even until then it will need a lot of attention and care. Your new pet is entirely dependent on you, and if you want to end up with the dog of your dreams, there are plenty of steps to take from the very beginning.
1. Find A Good Veterinarian
A veterinarian is vital to your pet’s health, and you should get in touch with one as soon as you bring your puppy home. Often, a veterinarian will offer different pet wellness packages with the pet vaccines your dog will require periodically for the rest of its life. If you’re on a budget, it’s quite possible to find reasonably priced veterinary care, and some clinics offer urgent care for the common ailments your dog might experience.
2. Begin Taking Your Dog On Regular Walks
Walking your puppy not only aids in the housebreaking process, but is good for you as well. A study of over 2,000 people indicated that dog owners responsible for walking their pets are less inclined towards obesity than those who pass the responsibility off to others or don’t own dogs at all. Another survey of 1,000 doctors revealed that 97% of them believe in the health benefits of owning a pet, and 60% would recommend pet ownership to improve a person’s health. Furthermore, walking your dog regularly establishes a good relationship between you and your pet.
3. Enroll Your Puppy In Obedience Classes
Depending on care, breeding, and genetics, your dog may live anywhere from 8 to 16 years. If you wish to have the best possible experience with your puppy, it would be wise to enroll it in obedience classes as soon as possible. A well … trained dog is not only easier to handle, but happier. Dogs are social creatures, descended from wolves that live in a pack structure. Training your dog assures it of its place in your “pack”, making it feel more secure.
4. Socialize Your Dog Frequently
Socializing your pet with both people and other dogs is vital to its role as your pet. Proper socialization makes your dog safer, both in regards to others and itself. This is especially important with breeds prone to higher levels of aggression, like Rottweilers and Dobermans. The last thing you would want is your dog biting someone and getting into trouble!
But above all, remember to love and bond with your dog. Your relationship with your pet will be the most important in its life, and you should never forget that.
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