Bringing a family pet home for the first time can be such an exciting experience but it can also be an overwhelming one. What do you prioritize? What do you do first? Before you do anything – take a deep breath and do a little happy dance because that tiny little puppy will make an impact on your life you’ll never be able to forget. And when you’re ready to get down to the gritty details, we have some seriously good tips every first-time dog owner needs.
Find The Right Vet
First things first, your veterinarian is an essential part of your pet’s life. From development, health, and even mental issues, your vet should be your primary contact. Make sure you choose someone who has similar thoughts on dog ownership, value your dog’s health and well-being and is someone you can trust.
Puppy School
Puppies are super cute but are pretty high-maintenance. If you don’t have the time to invest in training them full-time, enrolling them in a puppy program is an essential part of raising them with manners and starting your relationship with them right. There are so many different options at different price points which means there’s something for everyone!
Enrichment Activities
Toys and enrichment activities are a great way to keep your family pet busy. Keeping them not only physically healthy but keeping their mental health at it’s best is an important part of development in your dog’s young years. This not only keeps your pups busy but keeps chewing and destructive behavior at bay!
Grooming Products
If you’re choosing a breed that requires heavy grooming it’s a good idea to find a good groomer that is right for your dog. Dogs are pretty low-maintenance but if your dog requires grooming it’s extremely important to make sure you make an effort to keep them on a schedule and schedule with someone you trust.
Choose the Right Food
Choosing the right food for your dog requires a lot of research but is an important part of raising a family pet. Choosing high-quality food will not only provide the nutrition your pup needs but will also improve his quality of life and even improve your dog’s coat!
Socialization
Last but not least, make sure you prioritize socialization! Socializing your dog at an early age is extremely important to their development. It gets them used to other dogs, people, little people, and potentially anxious situations. Talk to your vet or a training professional about the best way to socialize your pups.
Most importantly, remember it’s a journey. Dogs can do amazing things like reduce anxiety, relieve depression, and manage to put a smile on your face every single day! What are some of your go-to resources for a first-time dog owner? Let us know in the comments below!
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
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