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So, you’re the proud owner of a new puppy. Congrats! The bond you create with a dog is like no other, and you’ll be sure to have many exciting adventures together.

That said, looking after a dog is a big responsibility, so it’s important to be prepared before you bring one home. There’s a lot to learn, but don’t panic! This article is here to help you out. Here are five things you should know to care for your new pet properly.

1. The Importance of Establishing Good Training Habits

Training is one of the most challenging elements of owning a dog, for sure, but it’s also a very rewarding process.

You want to start training as soon as possible: it’s all about starting with the very basics and working your way up to more complex commands as you go along. Naturally, one of the first things you’ll want to do is get potty training down. At its core, this involves taking your puppy to the designated toilet station and praising them when they go to the toilet in that area.

If you’re struggling with training, there’s always the option of approaching a professional trainer – they can even take your dog in over an extended period of time to get things done concretely. Do a search online for ‘dog training and boarding near me’ and see what’s available.

2. Registering with a Vet

 Once you get your puppy home and settled, you’ll want to prioritize registering them with a vet. Just like humans, there are several vaccines/inoculations they’ll need to have to protect them from various illnesses, and the vets is also where you’ll get them microchipped (this is always recommended so that if your dog gets lost, whoever finds them will be able to return them straight to you).

Your first vet visit is also a good time to get a collar and name tag with your information inscribed, too.

3. Creating a Safe Environment

 In many ways, new puppies are a lot like babies – they’ll very easily find ways into areas they shouldn’t and eat things that might be dangerous.

It’s key to be vigilant at all times. One of the most important aspects is making sure your dog can’t escape: don’t leave them unattended when in the garden. You should also take care not to leave any food out on low surfaces (where there’s a will, there’s a way!).

The notion of creating a safe environment doesn’t only pertain to safety in the literal sense, either. It’s also about making your dog feel comfortable. Take the time to pick out a high-quality dog bed and some nice blankets, as well as a few good toys.

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4. On Exercise

 Exercise is important for all dogs, both big and small, but how much exercise they’ll need will depend on the breed (you should ask your vet for advice here).

Puppies need less exercise than fully grown dogs, and you won’t be able to take them for a proper walk until they’ve had their vaccinations and inoculations. Instead, a great way to have them burn off some energy is through play: once you have potty training underway, you can start to teach them how to play fetch and start employing some basic recall principles.

The key is to keep them stimulated – you don’t want them getting bored, as this is when they’ll start to shred and chew things!

5. The Benefits of Socializing

 Once your dog is at the stage where they can go for a walk, it’s a good idea to incorporate socializing with other dogs into your outings. It’s very important that young dogs learn how to communicate and interact with their own species in an appropriate manner; if not, they can become fearful and even aggressive, which is much harder to train out of them the older they get.

Local parks are a great opportunity for this, and as well as providing the space to interact with other dogs, they’ll also be exposed to a whole manner of new sounds and smells that’ll help acclimatise themselves to the world around them.

You’ll find that your puppy will adapt very quickly, but be patient with them. Allow them to have a good sniff about!

Wrapping Up

Owning a dog is a big commitment, and you’ll most certainly have your work cut out for you. Thankfully, it’s more than worth it – the joy your new puppy will bring you and your family will be worth all the toilet mishaps and chewed furniture. Enjoy it!