Is there anything in the world that is better than bringing a new puppy home so that it can become part of your family? Inquisitive and full of character, they bring so much joy and love, but they can also be tiring and frustrating at times too. Those times never distract from the wonderful, rewarding experience of raising a puppy, but if we can avoid some of that frustration, that would be even better!

With that in mind, the responsibility that comes with raising a puppy is something we should all go into with our eyes open. So, here are a few tips that will help you get through the experience with all the fun and enjoyment you want, but also help you to avoid some of the more common mistakes that we can all so easily make.

Establish their own space early

Dogs naturally look for a den to live in, and you can use that to your advantage. Make sure that the puppy enjoys the crate or box or whatever you bring them home in. Make it comfortable, ensure that it’s a space full of positive experiences, and allow that to become the puppy’s own space. Not only will such a safe space help the puppy settle down faster, but it can also be a calming influence during their development.

The puppy who is secure with their own space to go to will be happier and confident.

Visit the vets as soon as possible

No matter where your puppy comes from, the first thing you need to do is ensure it gets a thorough examination, including deworming and vaccinations as needed. You can also discuss timings for spaying or neutering with the vet if this has not already been done.

In addition, a complete checkup allows the vet to provide recommendations on your puppy’s nutritional needs and other important information. This can include and special health instructions that some breeds may require.

A healthy puppy is important for two reasons, first, you want your new puppy to be healthy and happy, but in addition, illness can affect temperament and make training much more challenging in these early moments.

Give your puppy plenty of rest

Like any baby, a puppy requires a lot of sleep, with their own space established in the crate or elsewhere, your puppy should be comfortable and secure, and find getting the rest it needs easy. It is important to leave the puppy to it at this stage, part of this is also allowing the puppy to get used to being alone in the home, not demanding attention every second of the day, an important part of dog training that helps to avoid issues later. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety have problems because they never learned this valuable lesson.

Housebreaking your Puppy

Every puppy will need to be house-trained, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult experience. Perseverance is key, accept there will be mistakes, and keep going until your puppy gets it. Remember, your puppy really is trying to please you, but they don’t always get what you want them to do, so avoid anger and frustration, never punish the puppy for an accident.

Instead, adopt a routine for mealtimes and so on, and your puppy will learn quickly when and where to eliminate. Perseverance, encouragement and a calming approach will ensure that your puppy soon gets the hang of things.

Socializing

We have spoken about the need for alone time to allow your puppy to get used to the idea that being alone for a little while is not a problem. This does save many problems in the future, but in addition, we do also need to make sure puppies are used to people and other dogs, so that they will behave appropriately around others as they grow.

Introducing to other people is relatively easy, most puppy owners do this naturally anyway, showing off the beautiful pet to everyone they know! Try and introduce your puppy to as many different people as possible to get them used to things.

People with hats, or backpacks, people with beards, dogs of all sizes. Try and expose them to as many sights, sounds and smells as possible to get your puppy comfortable with a variety of things.

Food

A good diet is essential for healthy growth, providing all the nutrients and minerals the rapidly growing body needs. At these early stages, everything helps, and for puppies, multivitamins can be a real boost. Providing all the extra vitamins and nutrients to ensure your puppy grows into a strong, healthy dog.

There are a number of options when it comes to multivitamins for your puppy, with several supplements designed especially for a puppy’s needs. Our 15 in 1 Multi Chews provide a high-quality supplement that gives your puppy the multivitamins it needs to grow and thrive.

Summary

Raising a puppy is a significant responsibility, and every puppy owner wants to do it right. It’s important to get off to a good start, making the crate feel like home, a safe, secure place for your puppy will not only help the initial adjustment, but pay dividends later on too.

Health is the other really important aspect, from an early visit to the vets to ensure everything is as it should be from the start. Of course, multivitamins, such as Alpha Paw 15 in 1 Multi Chews combined with quality food in a balanced diet will help maintain good health as your puppy grows.

Finally, help your puppy adjust to the world around them by introducing it to as many different people, situations, noises, colors and other dogs as possible. The more accustomed to different things they get early on, the easier it will be as they grow up.