You have chosen THE one. This is the puppy you adore. You’ve taken him home. Now what?
I found an article by Anna O’Brien on Buzzfeed that offers a very practical to-do list. She offers 16 points. Some of them are:
- Puppy proof your home
- Getting a license for your dog
- Vaccinations
- Protection from fleas and ticks
- Get puppy spayed or neutered
- Provide a social life for your puppy
- Brush his teeth
Here’s an excerpt from the article by Anna:
Puppy Proofing Your Home
This means tucking electrical cords out of sight, keeping shoes and other items off the floor, placing the trash can in an out-of-reach area, and keeping all small items like hair ties, rubber bands, bobby pins, loose change, yarn and dental floss, jewelry, and even socks away from the edges of tables or counters.
Licensing
Check with your local authorities for what you need in order to legally keep your puppy. Most dog licenses are reasonably priced, need to be renewed annually, and come with a tag that should be on your dog’s collar at all times.
Socializing Your Puppy
The period roughly between three to 12 weeks of age is called a puppy’s socialization period. This is the time to show your puppy the world — take them into stores, to parks, for car rides, and let them meet other dogs and people.
Learn what is toxic to dogs
Common foods we enjoy on a daily basis are actually toxic to dogs. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, coffee grounds, garlic, and sugar-free food containing xylitol are some of the most common toxic foods for dogs from the table.
Brush his teeth
Dental care is super important in domestic dogs. And while your puppy shouldn’t be building up plaque just yet, now is a great time to get them used to a toothbrush.
You can read the entire article here.
Article source: Buzzfeed
Image source: Schnaars on Flickr.com
