How your life will change with a puppy: 7 main fears of novice dog breeders
Tips / / January 02, 2021
How your life will change with a puppy: 7 main fears of novice dog breeders
Dogs bring a lot of joy, but raising them is a great responsibility. We deal with Pedigree®how to find a common language with a new pet.
I'm afraid the puppy is sad when he is left alone at home. Isn't that so?
Only partly. Yes, the dog needs attention, but you don't need to take work home and sit there all the time because of the puppy. Here's how you can help him adapt to your absence:
- Only brought home baby don't leave one for the whole day. Try to organize your time so that a family member visits every few hours.
- Give your puppy a comfortable place. A cozy house with toys will be his refuge for a time of loneliness.
- Dogs remember the signs of the owner's imminent departure: here you took the keys, put on your shoes, put on a jacket. Follow these steps for the first few weeks, but don't go anywhere. This will teach your dog not to feel anxious looking at your fees.
- When you get home, don't rush to hug your puppy right away. Let him calm down and only then start paying attention. Your departure and return should be something mundane and not associated with strong emotions.
Your puppy needs time to get used to your absence. Start by leaving for a few minutes and gradually build up the separation period. Leave the house immediately, do not say goodbye for a long time and persuade the dog not to be sad. It is best if you restrict the puppy's movement by closing the doors to the rooms. You can record your voice (for example, when you read a book) and turn it on during your absence.
Evgeniy Pospelov, expert Pedigree®
Take the dog with you to public places on occasion. Recently, there have been many pet-friendly shops and cafes where you can bring furry friends. This will help the puppy not only less bored, but also feel like a member of society, do not be afraid of people, movement and sounds.
But I can’t go on vacation now?
It's not that bad. Yes, a dog cannot live a week alone, but the situation is not hopeless.
First, in some cases, you can take the dog with you. Many families travel with their pets to the sea or hiking in the mountains, especially if they travel by car.
Start car accustoming to driving short distances. For a puppy or small breeds, you will need a box-carriage so that the dog cannot move freely around the cabin. Take napkins and napkins with you: there is a possibility that the puppy will get seasick. You can consult a veterinarian about what remedy to give before a long journey. During the ride, feed and water the animal in small portions and make stops every 2-3 hours for 15 minutes.
Evgeniy Pospelov, expert Pedigree®
Secondly, temporary “parents” can be found. The most obvious option is to ask a friend or family to look after the puppy. Be sure to leave the feed, toys and tell us in detail how much to walk and play with the puppy. If there is no one to leave the pet, a dog sitter will help - a person who takes dogs to his home for payment during the absence of the owners. Another option is a zoo hotel, where dogs are placed in individual enclosures, fed and walked. To make your pet less stressed, bring it to this place first for a few hours (so it will understand that it will not be left here forever).
What if he starts to spoil the furniture?
It all depends on you. Dogs don't ruin furniture because they think it's time for you to throw the sofa away. And not even to annoy you. Usually puppies start gnaw chair legs or your shoes in one of these cases.
- Lack of activity. If the pet has nowhere to put energy, he will look for something to do. Walk a lot and exercise with the dog: throw a stick, teach commands.
- Hunger. Irregular feeding forces animals to chew everything around. Make sure your puppy is getting enough food.
- Lack of toys. When the puppy has nothing to occupy its paws, everything around is used, including your design repairs. Buy special dog toys.
- Lack of discipline. If the owner does not deal with the dog and does not outline the boundaries of behavior and territory, the dog rightly thinks that everything is allowed. Don't let your dog decide what to do.
In addition, to keep the apartment in good condition, you need to keep the dog clean. After a walk, wipe your paws and long hair, bathe the puppy on time, regularly take to the veterinarian to trim the claws so that later you will not be offended by the dog for scratched floors.
I'm afraid to accidentally give the puppy something harmful. How to feed him?
Better balanced feed have not come up with anything yet. It is selected according to size, breed and age.
For example, puppy food is tailored to the needs of the dog during the active growth phase. It is also smaller to make it easier for the baby to eat. Most importantly, don't feed your dog food from your table.
Human food cannot be a complete and balanced dog's diet. It contains sugar, salt, spices and ingredients potentially harmful to the animal's body, such as garlic, onions, grapes, dark chocolate and many others. When a puppy asks for food outside of the main meal, you can only treat him with special dog treats. In this case, it is better to do this not at the table, but next to its bowl.
Evgeniy Pospelov, expert Pedigree®
In order not to teach the dog to beg for food, make the kitchen a forbidden territory. Feed your puppy before you sit down at the table yourself. A well-fed dog will not beg too actively.
Will it cost a lot of money for a puppy?
Depending on the breed. The larger the dog is, the more food it will need. Long coat will require additional care costs. Smooth-haired small dogs will need warm clothes for walking in cold weather. In general, costs can be divided into relatively one-off, recurring and fixed costs.
One-time expenses:
- Carrying.
- A bowl.
- House or couch.
- Collar, leash and tag.
- Comb.
- Clothes for walking.
- Muzzle.
Recurring expenses:
- Vaccination.
- Anthelmintic tablets.
- Flea and tick treatment.
- Clipping the claws.
- Other veterinary services.
- Toys.
- Diapers and (or) napkins.
Fixed costs:
- Feed.
- Dog treats.
- Hygiene bags.
Or maybe I walk a little with him? How long should the dog be outside?
Depending on the age. The basic rule is no walks until vaccination is complete. If you want to go outside with an unvaccinated dog, you must have it in your arms all the time. In the future, the puppy should be taken out into the fresh air every 3-4 hours for 15-20 minutes. With an adult dog, the walking time can be increased to an hour, and the number of exits can be reduced to two times a day.
Walking with dogs of any age should not turn into an outing. This is the time for active games, learning teams, communicating with other dogs. You can even take a grown dog with you for jogging, but you need to take into account a number of points.
Intense physical activity is contraindicated in dachshunds, bulldogs and similar breeds of dogs, as well as older animals. It is better to run in the park, on unpaved paths, and not on asphalt. Allow your dog to pee before training. You can not run immediately after feeding, at least half an hour should pass. In the warm season, take water for your pet with you, and in hot weather it is better to completely eliminate jogging.
Evgeniy Pospelov, expert Pedigree®
Take dog treats for a walk: they will help train your puppy to follow commands. For example, so that the dog obeys when you say "to me", call him and reward each approach with a special treat. If the puppy is afraid of passers-by or passing cars, distract him with games and treats, but do not try to hide from all the noise and movement. He just needs time to get used to.
What if he misbehaves and we don't find a common language?
And here everything depends on you. Each dog has its own character and disposition. But the question of behavior is solved by training and education in love.
Loving a dog does not mean indulging in all its whims and giving you orders. Establish rules of conduct, delineate your pet's territory, and most importantly, be consistent. Indulgences in the style of "give it one time, no big deal" will simply confuse the puppy and prevent him from remembering how to behave. Even for educational purposes, you cannot hit the dog or shout loudly. This will not help her learn faster, but it will embitter and make her more nervous.
Evgeniy Pospelov, expert Pedigree®
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