Getting a new dog is the most exciting time in a person’s life; when your new puppy steps into your home with wide eyes and floppy legs, you will fall in love with it. Though this dog is now a special fixture in your life, it isn’t all fun and games. In fact, you will need to shower it with things other than your love, such as food, playtime, and walks. When you get a new dog, there are a few things which you must do in the early stages of its life, which will ensure they are the perfect companion for you and your family.
Give them a name
You may have already decided on a name before you brought your dog home, or you may have waited to see exactly what they were like, but you still need to choose the name that suits them the best. You don’t want to get halfway through their life before realizing their name isn’t the one you wanted, so think carefully about this step. Finding a cute pet name can be a struggle, so you can always enlist the help of the internet or people around you.
Buy the right bedding
You aren’t the only one who needs furniture to stay comfortable, as your dog will need a home, too. You don’t want them to be sleeping on a hard mat with no cushioning, especially when it is still so young. This is why it’s wise to invest in the softest, most dog-friendly bedding that is also easily cleaned if they aren’t trained when you bring them home.
Keep up to date with vaccinations
When you have a new puppy, it’s easy to become caught up in how much fun they are or how cute they are and forget about the serious medical stuff that is involved with keeping a dog happy and healthy. However, vaccinations are a key part of the growth of a puppy. You need to make sure they are getting their annual booster alongside the ones needed in the first few weeks of their life. Though they can be expensive, this is necessary when owning a dog, so make sure you have saved up your money, or that you are in the financial position to have a dog before you can commit to it. By making sure you are taking them to get all their vaccinations at the right time, you are setting their life up to be one where they can enjoy the outside world.
Train them
You will want your puppy to be properly trained the moment it comes through the door. The sooner you start to train them, the sooner you won’t have to worry about it anymore. It goes for training them where to go to the toilet, how to sit, and how to listen to you when you want them to stop barking. For a while, you may have to have a plastic lining on your floors, and you might get stressed with how long it is taking. However, once this step is complete, it’s something you never have to worry about again, and you can enjoy all the time you have with your new dog.
