Looking After Your New Puppy: Buying a puppy and bringing them home is exciting and a bit challenging at times, but it should also be lots of fun for you both! This guide to puppy care will help you give your puppy the best start in life and avoid any potential problems later on. 0 to 8 weeks- Before you bring your puppy home. The previous owner/breeder should have done a few things, including: •Organizing their first puppy vaccination. •Started toilet training. •Started socializing them by introducing them to new situations and people. Before bringing them home, you'll need to prepare for your new puppy's arrival by: •Creating space and buying toys:you'll need to provide space for your puppy to play, and toys to keep them occupied. •Providing somewhere for them to rest: provide a crate, hiding places and/or cosy bed in a quiet, draught-free place where your puppy can rest undisturbed. •Taking a blanket from the puppy's first home:bring this back with you so they have something familiar and comfortable to snuggle in. •Removing anything poisonous or that you don't want them chewing. •Finding a vet: as well as a 24 hour clinic number and location should an emergency arise. •Organizing puppy classes: these can get booked up, so find a class and sign up once you know you're getting a puppy. 8-12 weeks- Bringing your puppy home This is an important time for your puppy, as what they learn and experience now will shape their future behaviour. Your puppy isn't fully vaccinated yet, but it's important to continue socialization by giving your puppy positive experiences like: •Introducing them to other pets - let them meet other healthy, fully vaccinated dogs and cats. •Carrying them around outside to introduce them to new people, sights and sounds. •Gradually introduce them to other experiences, such as the car, grooming, being handled and having their ears, eyes and other body parts checked. You should also: •Begin to leave them alone for short periods to prevent separation-related behaviour. •Establish a consistent routine and rules - reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. •Feed them the same puppy food as they had before and keep the same routine with small, regular meals. •Continue puppy toilet training by rewarding them when they go outside. 12 weeks onwards - puppy training and socialization Your puppy can have their second vaccinations around now. While you're at the vet, ask them about worming, flea treatment. Also if you're considering to spay or neuter you can speak with them at this time. Around this age, you can also: •Socialise your pup outside once they're fully vaccinated. •Take them to puppy classes - good puppy classes are a great way to boost their confidence and learn basic training. •Understand what they like - knowing what your puppy likes (such as their favourite food or toys) can motivate them during training. •Let them rest regularly - growing and learning is tiring, so let them rest regularly and keep training sessions short and fun. If your puppy is crate trained, let them use it as a safe haven. 6 months onwards - further dog training and neutering Puppies are still learning at this age, so continue reward-based training and keep all experiences positive. Remember: •Speak to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your puppy. •Move onto more advanced dog training classes if your puppy is ready to progress. •Move them onto adult dog food as they get bigger and their dietary needs change. By keeping experiences positive from day one, you'll help your puppy grow into a confident adult dog, making life more enjoyable for you both. This Official Website is Owned and Maintained by The Pekingese Patch. All Rights Reserved ©2024 Kathy Loun Stilley.