Top Tips
Safe place - comfy bed, hazard free
Food - Dry nuts
Drink - Clean and fresh water
Stimulation - Toys and social interaction
Exercise - Start with short walks and gradually increase
Welcoming a new puppy into your house can be an exciting event for both parties, but if it’s your first time having a dog then below are some tips to help you look after your new family member.
Provide a safe place for them to sleep, away from busy areas but yet not isolated so they can retreat there and feel secure but yet still part of the family. A comfy bed is ideal so they can rest in comfort. Make sure external doors are kept shut so no one can slip out unnoticed. Keep stairs blocked so there is no chance of a fall. Do not leave unattended on a couch or chair in case they roll off or jump off.
For their food we recommend Royal Canin Dry Nuts as this type of food best suits a dogs digestive system. There are many well known brands of dog food but some of these are highly processed and are not as healthy as you may think. With Roal Canin they have specific types of nuts for each of the breeds, either as a puppy or an adult to ensure they get the nutrients best suited to their breed and their stage in life.
Always have clean fresh water available. Hydration is very important to all living things and puppies are no different. Give them a bowl of clean fresh water first thing in the morning and again last thing at night. During the day keep an eye on their water intake by checking the water level in the bowl and top up as necessary.
Provide toys for mental and physical stimulation. Make sure the toys are designed for dogs and that there is no loose material or attachments that could become a choking hazard. Different breeds of dogs have different biting power so make sure the toy is suitable for the breed of dog or again the toy could be come a choking hazard. Same goes for any small objects on the floor. Puppies are curious and use their mouth to explore. Playing with your dog is a good time to form a bond with them as well as helping to develop and socialise the puppy.
As well as toys exercise is important. The one thing to watch is that you do not over exercise the puppy. They are developing and by over exercising them you can cause long term damage to their musculoskeletal system. Do not take them outside or mix with other dogs until about 2 weeks after they have had all of their vaccinations. Until then playing in the house should be sufficient exercise. After their vaccination then short walks (approximately about 15 minutes) on unchallenging terrain which you can gradually increase in length as the dog gets older. Your vet should be able to provide you with more information on this.