Happy New Year! Are you starting out 2020 with a puppy in your household? If so, your new pet has a very big year in front of him. Your puppy has a lot to learn, and a lot of growing to do. In this article, a Helotes, TX vet lists some of the things on your furry friend’s agenda for the new year.
One of the many wonderful things about dogs is the fact that they really try to please their humans. (Of course, your pooch may still get into mischief, but that’s another topic.) Reward your puppy with treats and praise when he’s being good.
Dogs grow very quickly in their first year, especially during those first several months. High quality puppy food will help fuel that growth spurt. Ask your vet for specific advice.
There are few things cuter than sleepy puppies. Make sure the little guy has a comfy bed to doze off in!
Puppies are basically furry, four-legged bundles of mischief. Help your puppy burn off those zoomies by playing with him every day and taking him on lots of walks.
If you have a cat and a puppy, your pooch may be a bit ‘purrplexed’ about his feline roommate. Good luck with this one, buddy!
It won’t take your puppy long to figure out that he really, really likes treats. Stick to healthy options, and be careful not to go overboard. Also, don’t encourage bad habits, like begging or stealing food. That’s not only poor petiquette, it can also be dangerous!
As your pet’s teeth come in, he may very well gnaw on anything and everything in sight. Do some puppyproofing, and offer him lots of chew toys.
Socialization is very important for puppies! Introduce your puppy to your friends and family, and encourage them to give him toys, treats, and attention.
We suspect that your pooch won’t have much trouble meeting this goal. While dogs are cute and lovable at any age, they’re never more charming than when they are furry, clumsy little toddlers. Take lots of pictures: that adorable puppy phase won’t last long!
As your Helotes, TX vet clinic, we love watching puppies grow into healthy, happy adult dogs. Please contact us anytime!
