*This is a collaborative post
Getting your first puppy as a family is an exciting, fun time. The combination of kids and puppy is sure to create a lot of energy in the house as everyone gets to know your newest, furriest family member.
It’s essential to get those first days right for your children, your puppy and yourself. There’s a lot to do in advance of getting your first puppy and a lot of things to consider.
Are You Ready For A Puppy?
This is a question you should ask of every family member as well as yourself. As the parent, you will be doing the lion’s share of walking, feeding and of course, footing the bill! So before you start preparing to welcome a puppy into your home, have a serious think about the implications a puppy will have on you and your family’s lives.
You should go into the decision with eyes open. Do your research on puppy care and different breeds and decide on the best breed for your family. If this is your first ever puppy, then it might be best to get a smaller, easier to handle breed for your first dog.
Once you are sure you’re making the right choice, you can see what your children think of the idea. While it’s likely that any child would jump at the chance of a puppy, it is still important to involve your children in such a big decision. Let them know what will be expected of them in terms of helping to care for the puppy and see if they have any ideas for the breed of dog they would like.
Before Your Puppy Arrives
You should make sure you have everything you will need before your puppy arrives. This includes a dog bed, food and water bowls, toys and food. Decide where you will be feeding your puppy and set everything up in preparation. If your puppy isn’t house trained yet make sure you have plenty of newspapers or puppy training pads down for any accidents.
You should make sure you have the right food for your puppy before he arrives. There are a lot of choices out there, but it’s vital to get the best quality puppy food you can. This should be tailored to his weight and age.
An excellent idea for your new puppy is raw puppy food from Bella & Duke. This comes packed with all the nutrients that a growing puppy needs and is made from all-natural ingredients. Their ranges go from puppy to adult to senior, so you know that your puppy will have excellent food for years to come.
Introducing Your Puppy
When your puppy arrives, you must make sure not to overcrowd and overwhelm him. It’s best to let the puppy get used to his surroundings before you introduce him to the rest of the family.
Set aside an hour to let the puppy adjust and sniff out his new home. It can be helpful at first to limit the puppy to one room where he can become entirely comfortable and familiar (and avoid too many accidents around the house!)
When it’s time to introduce your puppy to the family, make sure that the kids know to approach him calmly and quietly. Let your puppy come to you and get used to your scents and presence. It can be helpful to have a puppy cage or crate full of blankets and toys so that if your puppy does feel overwhelmed, he can go somewhere quiet and safe where he won’t be disturbed.
The First Few Weeks With Your Puppy
The first weeks after getting your puppy will be the hardest but also the most rewarding. You should start with some training straight away. Get him used to going to the toilet outside and use encouragement and positive reinforcement when your puppy does so successfully.
You can also start teaching him a few tricks like sit and stay to lay a good groundwork for future training. You should begin to get him acclimatised to other sights, smells and people. Socialising your puppy is hugely important at this age, as you will want him to be at ease and relaxed around other people and dogs in the future.
You should also get him used to being alone for short periods of time to prevent any separation anxiety in the future. Make sure to handle his ears, paws and mouth regularly. This is important to make sure you can check your puppy over in the future and that they will be more relaxed with the vet and the groomer.
Above all, make sure you have fun! Having a new puppy in the house is a great time for any family. Spend time bonding and playing with your puppy and look forward to a long, fulfilling future with your new four-legged family member.
