The Reality Of Raising A Puppy

Puppies are adorable, there's no two ways about it! Those short little legs, heart-melting eyes and stubby little tails that won't stop wagging. Who can resist all of that, right?

BUT, puppies aren't just cute and cuddly.... they're also demanding, sensitive, fragile, loud, destructive, expensive, exhausting and exasperating. Truly.

Raising a puppy is like raising a child, all the same highs/lows, joys/tears... their development is just condensed into a much shorter time-frame.

If this puppy-parenting adventure is going to be a success you can't fall at the first hurdle simply because you didn't expect it to be there!

Your puppy care experience will likely include all of the following, so you need to be prepared for:

• Regular cleaning of pee/poop and even vomit.
  Potty training is not a smooth learning curve.
  
  
• Sleepless nights.
  Puppies wake up 2 or 3 times each night to pee/poop until around 12 - 14 weeks of age.
  
  
• Damage to your home and property.
  Puppy-proofing helps.
  
  
• Being 'on duty' 24/7.
  Puppies don't just stay where you put them - unless they're in a crate or playpen, but even then they usually don't stay quietly. They have a lot of needs (food, accessories, vet care, toilet breaks, attention, love...) and it's you're job is to fill those needs.
  
  
• A significant amount of expenses.
  Those needs I just talked about. They all cost money, sometimes a lot of money. You need to know the true costs of dog ownership before you buy/adopt because if you can't afford the long-term expenses, there's heartbreak on the horizon.
  
  
• Unconditional love and companionship.
  Puppy care is a lot of work, but the rewards for a job well done are amazing! 

Choosing Your Puppy

Before your puppy care challenges really start, there's another hurdle to clear... and that's choosing your pup!

If you have your heart set on a purebred pup, PLEASE do some 'homework' and research before you plunk down your deposit. Not all breeders are created equally, and there's no such thing as a 'bargain' when it comes to purchasing a living creature.

As the proud owner of several adopted dogs, pet adoption is a subject close to my heart - and happily it's finally starting to be seen as a desirable way to find the perfect pet.

These pages will help you to figure out which route you want to take, and what type/breed/age/personality is best for you, your home and your lifestyle...

• Choosing a puppy
• Finding the right breed
• Recognizing a healthy puppy
• Guide to puppy adoption
• Adopting an older/adult dog
• Dog rescue organizations

Preparing For The 'Big Day'

Okay, so you know what you're getting into and are on board, plus you've picked out your puppy - or at least the route you're taking to puppy ownership. Congratulations, the first step is complete :)

The next step in your puppy care journey is to make sure you have everything you need to keep your puppy safe, healthy and well cared for. These pages will point you in the right direction:

• How to puppy proof your home
• Choosing a veterinarian
• Puppy food 101
• Puppy supplies index
• Puppy essentials
• Picking your puppys' name

You might also want to check out my New Puppy Checklist page. It takes a 'big picture' look at what new puppies need in terms of supplies, as well as overall care.

Puppy Care 101

Feeding, grooming, health care, potty training, obedience training and socialization are all parts of proper puppy care.

Below you'll find an overview of these areas and links to all the relevant pages on my site which are packed with detailed information, tips and advice....

Puppy Care - Those Precious Early Weeks

Once you've brought your new puppy home the fun really begins - and so does the hard work.

So far all your preparations have been leading up to that magical moment when you bring your precious bundle of fur through your front door. There's so much excitement, so many hopes, dreams and plans... honestly I never get tired of that feeling :)

But many first time puppy owners are surprised, confused and even worried by their new baby's behavior at first.

Here are a few pages that can help with some of the most common issues that crop up:

• What to expect when bringing home your new puppy
• What do puppies need?
• Introducing your puppy to the resident dog
• Why is my puppy breathing so fast?
• How to help a scared puppy
• Common puppy care questions from real owners

You can also find the answers to questions such as: 

How big will my puppy get? and How much should my puppy weigh? 

Puppy Behavior

Puppies are babies and the only thing they know how to be is a baby dog. That means their actions and behavior are sometimes very confusing for their human parents.

These pages cover it all....

• Puppy behavior - what's normal, what's not and how to  handle it
• Why does my pup/dog eat poop?
• How to understand your puppy/dog's body language
• Is my puppy aggressive?
• Adolescent puppy behavior
• Submissive urination - it's not a housebreaking issue!
  
  

Keeping little Fido Healthy

Your new puppy is now 100% dependent on you for everything... including his life (literally).

In order to  keep your little one safe and healthy you need to be both proactive with preventative care and know how to spot the signs of trouble. You can check out my Puppy Health 101 page to find links to everything you could ever want to know about.

If you want to jump straight to one of the most common topics, these links will get you what you need:

• Puppy shots - what your pup needs and when
• Parasites in puppies - prevention and treatment
• How to know when you're puppy is sick
• Canine Parvovirus - your puppys' most dangerous enemy
• Common dog illnesses and diseases
• All about puppy teeth
• Puppy diarrhea
• Puppy constipation
• Stuff that's poisonous to dogs
• Keeping your puppy clean and well-groomed
• Puppy Teeth Information

Keeping your puppy clean and his coat in good condition is important to his health.

Whenever you bathe or groom your puppy it's the perfect opportunity to check for eye problems, ear problems and to examine his skin and coat for parasites, lumps, inflammation or irritation. 

Noticing, and treating, any issues early always makes them quicker and easier to resolve.

These pages will help you keep little Fido clean and looking his best:

• Bathing a puppy
• Grooming
• Dog grooming aids

puppy Diet

What you feed your pup during those early, fast-growing months, has a huge impact on his future growth and development.... even on how long he lives.

It pays to take the time, and do the research necessary, to be absolutely certain that you're choosing a well-balanced, highly nutritious, and breed-appropriate food.

Check out these pages to make sure your pup gets the nutrition he needs to grow up healthy and strong.

• All about puppy kibble
  
• Best puppy food choices 
• Puppy food reviews 

Puppy Training 

Your new puppy is just a tiny baby, and right now he's operating pretty much on instinct... dog instinct that is!

This is often going to be at odds with the way the human world operates, and what you expect from him. So some basic training is needed to help you and your pup live in harmony.

The first, and most important, aspect of puppy training that you need to work on is housebreaking. After that comes manners and basic obedience plus socialization. 

The following pages deal with all of these and more in detail....

• Potty training your puppy
• Why crate training is the magic key to housebreaking 
• How to crate train your puppy
• Puppy training basics
• Puppy clicker training
• Socializing your puppy
• Best dog training books
• Dealing with puppy nipping/biting
• Stop puppy chewing!
• Nuisance barking and how to handle it

Final Words

Being a puppy-parent (and eventual adult-dog-owner) is one of the most fun and rewarding things you'll ever do and I hope that this page has helped you to start out on the right foot.... and paw!

Here are 3 fantastic books on puppy care, they're my favorites and I own them all. I totally recommend adding at least one of them to your bookshelves at home.

new..... new..... new..... new.....

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