the do's and don'ts of
raising
a rescue puppy
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Raising a puppy can be really rewarding — but it's important to nail down the basics before getting started. The decisions you make now on feeding, toys, and training can affect their entire lives. We spoke to Dr. Amy Pike of the Animal Behavior Wellness Center about what you should consider fundamental do's and don’ts when it comes to those crucial first few months.
Get started with (positive) training right away
When should new pet parents first start focusing on training? As soon as their puppy gets home, Dr. Pike says. Expose your pup to anything they might need to get adjusted to early, like leashes and crates. Giving treats for good behavior, even if it’s just lying down and playing with appropriate toys, can help them figure the rules out sooner.
“Puppies will be puppies,” says Dr. Pike. Once you adopt them, your new dog will need time to figure out what’s OK and not OK to chew on, learn potty skills, and get used to living in your home. Be patient — especially if they seem stressed for the first few days in a new place.
do:
Rush them
Socialize them
don't:
do:
Until they’ve had time for their immune system to develop and vaccines to work (at about four months old), don’t bring them around groups of dogs, like at a dog park or pet store. However, you should get them accustomed to being around people and places. “They should never wait [to explore their environment] until all the vaccinations have been given because by that age, the socialization window has closed,” Dr. Pike says. Introduce your puppy to your home, other pets in the home, and humans that live there, and expose them to sights and sounds early on.
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Buying the right food for your dog’s stage
of development is important. “Puppy food is… higher in protein, fat, and calories than those for adults or seniors,” Dr. Pike says. Since puppies grow fast, they should also
be fed more often: three to four smaller meals a day is normal (plus plenty of water!). As always, check in with your vet to ensure they’re staying at a healthy weight.
Feed them correctly
do:
Your puppy may seem to have boundless energy, especially when they are always itching for you
to take them on a walk or play a game of fetch. Remember, they’re still babies! Puppy’s joints are very delicate when they’re still growing, especially for large breed dogs. The right amount of exercise for your pup will depend on their breed and age, but generally, two or three consistent short bursts of exercise will be better than a rigorous two-mile hike. Puppies also need a lot of sleep, so be sure
to set specific bedtimes and nap times. This will ensure they get plenty of rest, and start getting comfortable with your rules for sleep now. It's fine to let puppies sleep in your bed — if that's where you plan to let them sleep when grown up, even when they're big guys. But if you hope to transition them to the living room eventually, it's smart to start them out there so they get used to it.
Overdo the exercise
don't:
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BLUE Wilderness for Puppies,
Turkey & Chicken Grill Recipe (Wet)
BLUE Life Protection Formula
for Large Breed Puppies,
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
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Rush them
don't:
Socialize them
do:
Your puppy may seem to have boundless energy, especially when they are always itching for you to take them on a walk or play a game of fetch. Remember, they’re still babies! Puppy’s joints are very delicate when they’re still growing, especially for large breed dogs. The right amount of exercise for your pup will depend on their breed
and age, but generally, two or three consistent short bursts of exercise will be better than a rigorous two-mile hike. Puppies also need a lot of sleep, so be sure to set specific bedtimes and nap times. This will ensure they get plenty
of rest, and start getting comfortable with your rules for sleep now. It's fine to let puppies sleep in your bed — if that's where you plan to let them sleep when grown up, even when they're big guys. But if you hope to transition them to the living room eventually, it's smart to start them out there so they get used to it.
“Puppies will be puppies,” says Dr. Pike. Once you adopt them, your new dog will need time to figure out what’s OK and not OK to chew on, learn potty skills, and get used to living in your home. Be patient — especially if they seem stressed for the first few days in a new place.
Until they’ve had time for their immune system to develop and vaccines to work (at about four months old), don’t bring them around groups of dogs, like at a dog park or pet store. However, you should get them accustomed to being around people and places. “They should never wait [to explore their environment] until all the vaccinations have been given because by that age, the socialization window has closed,” Dr. Pike says. Introduce your puppy to your home, other pets in the home, and humans that live there, and expose them to sights and sounds
early on.
Illustrations by Kim Sielbeck