Here Are 11 Top Tips On Raising A Puppy The Right Way
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You've made the decision to bring home a puppy. That's awesome! But what is the best way to raise a puppy? Raising a puppy can be a rewarding experience, but it is also a big responsibility. I know this because I got my Frenchie mix pup over a year ago, and it was a challenging but beautiful journey. One valuable lesson I learned is that the more prepared you are for what lies ahead, the better off you and your pup will be. Today, I will share the top 11 tips on raising a puppy that I wish someone would have told me. These tips will help keep your puppy healthy, happy, and safe. Take a look!
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How To Raise A Puppy The Right Way
01) Establish a Routine
Just like humans, puppies thrive in an environment with structure and consistency. Schedule regular meal times and potty breaks throughout the day to help your pup form healthy habits. You may also want to add small training sessions into their daily routine to teach them basic commands such as 'sit' or 'stay.'
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02) Be Patient
Training a puppy can be quite challenging at times, so it is important that you remain patient and consistent when teaching them new commands or behaviors. If they are not progressing, take a break for 10-15 minutes before trying again.
03) Use Rewards
Rewarding positive behavior is one of the best ways to encourage your puppy to learn. When they respond to a command or do something you want them to do, give them a treat or verbal praise as an immediate reward for their effort.
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04) Avoid Punishing
While it is important to discipline your pup when necessary, physical punishment should be avoided at all costs. Research has shown that dogs are more likely to associate negative behaviors with the punishing action rather than the undesired behavior itself.
05) Set Boundaries
Socializing your puppy is essential so that they can become familiar with people and other pets in a safe environment; however, that doesn't mean that they should have free reign of the house either! Establishing designated boundaries by using baby gates or specific areas within the home can be a great way to ensure that your puppy remains safe and out of trouble.
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06) Get Checkups
As with any pet, regular vet checkups are important to maintain their health. Schedule an appointment every few months to ensure your pup is up to date on their vaccinations and has no underlying medical issues.
07) Exercise Regularly
Physical exercise is just as important for puppies as it is for humans! It is recommended by most experts when raising puppies to make sure your pup gets at least 20 minutes of exercise daily at least three times per week. This can be as simple as taking them outside for walks or playing fetch or Frisbee with them in the yard or park; however, if you want your pup to become more active (and healthier), then consider enrolling them in agility classes where they can run around freely while learning new skills simultaneously!
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08) Socialize Your Pup
Puppies exposed to other dogs and people during their first few weeks of life tend to be more well-adjusted adults than those who haven't had this kind of exposure early on in life (this goes for cats too). Take your dog out for walks every day so he/she can get used to seeing other people and dogs along the way—this will help prevent leash aggression later in life!
09) Provide Mental Stimulation
Just like physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for puppies. Investing in interactive toys such as puzzles or treat dispensers can help keep their minds active while also providing an enjoyable activity for them when they are away from home.
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10) Join a Puppy Training Group
It can be useful to join a group dog training class as you can learn from other experienced pet owners. This way, if you ever run into any issues or have questions about raising a pup, there will be people around to help guide and advise you.
11) Prepare for Potty Training
This one might seem obvious but trust me — it's not! If you're bringing home an older puppy, chances are they have already had some accidents around the house. However, if you're bringing home a pup like mine at 8 weeks old, this will be your first challenge together! At this age, they are still learning how everything works in their new environment, so it's essential that you set aside time every day to devote yourself to potty training them.
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These 11 tips should help make the process of raising a puppy easier and more enjoyable. Remember always to remain patient and consistent, and have fun along the way!
Do you have a pup? Let us know in the comments!
