Bringing Home a New Puppy? Know What to Expect

Like human babies, puppies won’t be able to sleep through the night. They have small bladders which means they’ll need to go to the toilet quite often.

House training a new puppy can feel like a rollercoaster ride, but trust the process. This will give you more chances to bond and reward your toilet-trained pup. The more you accompany your pup to the toilet, the faster toilet training will be.

Treat your new dog as an extra member of the family. Every time you go out, your puppy will need to know who is giving it food, hugs, and walks.

First, check to see if your pup would be allowed to come to work since some employers allow well-behaved dogs into the workplace. If not, assign a person to look after your pet. You ought to look for someone with knowledge and experience in handling new pups.

You may also employ a dog walker to keep your puppy active and sociable on days when you can’t walk the dog yourself. Doggie day-care is also a viable option.

Having someone who can take your puppy in a moment’s notice can help you out in times of crisis. Involve your family and friends in your dog’s life as early as possible so they can keep an eye on your pup.

If you don’t have family or friends that can help, you’re going to have to look for a professional pet sitter. Ask your vet and other local dog owners for recommendations. Make sure your sitter is fully insured and has relevant qualifications.

Dog walking is important for keeping your puppy happy, healthy and well socialized. It’s also something you have to do every single day.

Bringing your dog outside will also satisfy its curiosity! There’s a whole world for your pup to discover. Parks, shops, friends’ houses. These are all brand new to explore!

Puppies can get into all kinds of trouble when your back is turned. They might end up chewing and eating things they are not supposed to.

Unless you completely puppy-proof your home, expect your cables, book covers, and furniture to take a beating. Make things easy for your puppy by keeping important items away from reach.

When it comes to puppy-proofing your garden, make sure you fence off your favorite plants and remove the ones that pose a risk of intoxication or irritation for the new puppy. These are some of the least dog-friendly plants to be aware of: Lily, Azalea, Daffodil, Tomato, Foxglove, Yew and Hydrangea.

Going to the vet will be an important part of your dog’s life. Regular visits will help your pup be free of worms, fleas, ticks, and mites. It is crucial to find the right clinic for your dog. Ask dog-owning families and friends for recommendations.

Here are a few things you can sort out well before your puppy’s first visit:

•    Vaccinations
•    Neutering
•    Insurance Policies
•    Microchipping

Remember that you’re legally required to put an identification tag on your dog’s collar, and this must be worn whenever they’re in a public place. In Singapore, dog owners with pups three months or older are required to get a license fee which ranges from $15 to $90. Dogs must always be leased and controlled in a public place. Dogs which fall under Category A & B must also be muzzled when outside. Owners living in HBD premises are only allowed one dog of an approved breed, so it’s important to take note of this when preparing to get a pup.

Games are an excellent opportunity to build the bond between you both while giving your puppy plenty of exercise. Make sure your puppy checklist includes ball toys, frisbees and tugs, so you’ll have plenty of options for fun activities all year round.

Puppy training classes are another fun perk of being a dog owner. Unlike their feline counterparts, dogs can easily be trained to recognize basic commands. Find a good puppy training class run by accredited professionals. Not only will this give your puppy ample socialization opportunities, but you’ll also get access to a professional who can help answer your training questions.