This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TearASquare #Brawny #TargetFinds #CollectiveBias
Having a dog brings absolute joy to my life. I think that is why my family and I always had pets in our household throughout my childhood – now currently with two of my own. When I adopted Andrea (named after the Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli), he was my very first real experience at being a dog mom.
I knew what to expect overall in terms of raising and training a puppy (from both previous family-pet experience and working at an animal hospital, at the time) but never anticipated the extent of my role as a dog parent, the responsibilities and how much undeniable love I would have for him. I get so emotional just writing about this simply because he is my world – my first love and soul dog. Don’t worry, dearest husband – I love you, too!
Nonetheless, adopting Andrea drastically changed my life – just as much as it can for any new dog owner. There are things I knew already, and things I wished I had known in the process of bringing home and caring for a puppy. Over a decade later, I have learned more than I can carry. But I have 7 crucial tips for new dog owners that are guaranteed to make the life transition a little easier as a new dog owner when bringing a puppy home.
New puppy and it’s your first time? 7 Crucial Tips For New Dog Owners
Schedule their first vet visit
Take the step to knowing your new furry family member is in optimum health, regardless of whether or not they’ve had a recent checkup. By taking your puppy to your vet for a visit, your veterinarian can do all the necessary workup in making sure your they are both happy and healthy in their new home.
Your vet will be the one to guide you through possible treatments, protocols, vaccines, health-related issues and answer any questions or concerns you may have in achieving proper care for your pet. For instance, if your new puppy seems anxious (timid, scared) or is experiencing “homesickness”, they will be able to give you recommendations to help.
Plus, you want your puppy to get acquainted with the vet experience and socialize with those that are likely to be under its care during those visits. This is underratedly huge in terms of getting your pet affiliated with different sounds, smells, people and experiences because these things can shape their life experience and behavior.
Refrain from switching up their diet
Your puppy’s tummy is extremely sensitive, but it’s important to ensure they have structure (consistency) without making abrupt changes to their food (unless otherwise instructed). Changing up or adding several different noms (i.e., treats) to their diet can account for unexcepted tummy troubles.
For instance, Andrea was 7 weeks old when I got him, so he was currently transitioning from goat’s milk to puppy kibble mixed in. I spent a couple weeks on that regimen before completely transitioning him to kibble (which I ultimately switched down the road).
My advice? Food transition may take some time – up to 10 days – so don’t feel tempted to rush the process. Also, choose a couple of different treats with fewer, simpler ingredients and vary between and use them in moderation. If you are needing to change your puppy’s diet, talk to your veterinarian first for strict protocol instructions.
Quality over quantity – in buying the right toys
Am I saying not to spoil your new fur-baby? Of course not – even I did.
Buying the right toys can certainly be a life saver when it comes to a shoe chewer, food fanatic, anxious or highly active dog. Did you know dogs need mental stimulation, too? Physical activity is certainly one thing, but I had no idea that play satisfies a dog’s mental boredom. Can dogs get over-stimulated? I believe so, because out of all the many toys I bought Andrea he has only loved playing with ONE his whole life.
It’s also important to know that toys aren’t the only things that can serve your puppy’s playtime. One of Andrea’s favorite things, that I learned over time, was his love for seeking. You know, hide and seek! So I taught him how to play, even with his toys and treats and also invested in mental exercise puzzles.
It can take time getting to know your new dog’s personality as they grow, but if your puppy is likely teething and sociable from the get-go then it wouldn’t hurt to have chews and mentally stimulating toys to keep them busy and self-entertained.
Be flexible with your routine, but have one
Just as your puppy will bend and learn to form a routine, you also have to be willing. This includes frequent, consistent potty breaks, eating hours and bedtime. The key is consistency if you want your pet to become acclimated and on a set schedule.
Andrea was certainly a dog who benefitted from structure and order. I mean, he knows when it’s time to eat down to the minute! For example, I always, always took Andrea for his *last* potty at night at the same time every night.
Hold back from the inevitable guilt
Those begging eyes looking up at you while you eat, or the cries to be picked up and placed on the bed in the middle of the night. Andrea now sleeps in my bed (because I allow it), but he didn’t always. You can certainly honor your personal rules and boundaries, but it’s important not to succumb to the guilt. Just because your puppy begs for your food doesn’t mean you ought to give them a taste.
The point is, moments of guilt will overcome you and it’s important to stand your firm ground if you want to avoid certain habits – like being on the couch, begging for food at the dinner table and sleeping on the bed to name a few.
Choose a safe, consistent space
For sleeping, feeding and down time. Not for you – your pet, of course. Choose this space for them to call “home“. Whether that be a crate or a sectioned off area of your home (“psst” – invest in a baby gate). It’s the space your puppy will be able to associate as their own and use for security, just make sure it’s appropriately sized for your size pup. It’s also a great way to refrain your new companion from having easy access to the entire house. Because if you didn’t already know, a puppy’s motive at a young age is to explore new territory – while also marking it.
For me, I had a relatively small bathroom, so I gated off that area for him while he was in training.
Always be ready for the unexpected
Literally – from accidents and slobber to food spills and muddy paws. The unexpected will come in all forms and sizes (no pun intended), so you need something that will tackle every tough mess and easy clean-up. With Brawny® Tear-A-Square™, accidents are no match for these absorbent and durable 2-ply, premium paper towels.
Brawny® Paper Towels were my lifeline then, and 44 years later (in dog years) I still need them! Just the other day I had to give Andrea a wipe down after I caught him rolling on a fresh dead frog – his way of appreciating the bath I gave him hours prior.
With Brawny Tear-A-Square you have the option to choose your towel size – down to a quarter sheet – to suit your size mess, so you never have to feel guilty using a whole sheet. And I’ll be honest – I was not about to bathe him all over again. So having the option for a half or quarter sheet during the unexpected makes it that much more convenient for easy clean-up. Plus, less is more!
Hover over the image above
to shop must-have necessities for new dog owners.
Before bringing your puppy into its new home, be sure to pick up a package of Brawny Tear-A-Square at your participating Target – located in the household toiletries aisle. Whether you are cleaning up muddy paw prints, picking up smelly accidents or wiping the slobber off your face – there’s a square for that! Trust me, you’re going to need them.
