If you’ve ever been the proud owner of a puppy, you know that raising one is a lot of work. It’s not something to take lightly, especially if you love your new furry friend as much as we do. If this is your first time raising a puppy, we have some tips for making sure things go smooth once they move into your apartment:
Travel Space
In the beginning, it is essential to limit your puppy’s travel space. It will help your puppy feel safe and secure while it learns the rules of your home. You will also want to ensure it has a place to go to the bathroom away from your furniture or rugs.
If possible, confine your puppy to one room of your apartment at first, for example, a bedroom. Then, you can monitor their behavior and prevent accidents in other rooms day and night. For example, if you leave for work early in the morning, use a crate when you are gone so it won’t get into trouble during those hours. Likewise, put them in their crate next to your bed, so they stay close but aren’t distracting while sleeping.
Medical Supplies at Home
To be prepared for any emergency, you should have the following items: A pet first aid kit with supplies that can help you handle minor injuries, like bandages and ointments. In addition, you can get all the medication supplies readily available online and can be ordered easily.
A pet first aid guide or book with instructions on handling more challenging situations, such as broken bones or teeth, is a must. Or you can go online for resources like PetCareRx, which makes it easy to find everything you need in one place. In addition, you can check their blogs’ tips for your dog’s wellness and order your pet’s medications online. So you’re ready when trouble strikes.
Safe Play Area
A puppy needs a safe play area of adequate size for them to move around and play. The only way you can know what your puppy’s favorite toys are is if you know your puppy. If you have more than one dog, you want their toys to be different so they won’t get confused and start fighting over them.
When considering what toys to buy for your new pet, it might be tempting to go straight for the chewable ones. But as cute as puppies are when they chew on things, some other factors should weigh into this decision too:
- Does it work? Will the toy entertain my puppy? Is it easy enough to play with? Is it durable enough to survive being chewed on by the pet and withstand hours of roughhousing?
- Is there any chance this could hurt someone else if left unattended in a room where someone falls onto it by accident?
Be assured of these things, and you are good to go.
Food and Water Bowls
These are the most important things to consider. When your new dog is alone for several hours a day while you are out, ensure enough water in the bowl so they won’t get dehydrated. And if there’s more than one dog in the house, ensure each has its separate food and water bowls.
The next step is to get some good-quality bowls. You don’t want them tipping over easily. Please make sure they’re sturdy and wide enough for your puppy not to slip off them when drinking or eating. You’ll also want easy access to refill them as needed without too much hassle on your part. Finally, ensure those bowls stay clean by washing them regularly. It is imperative to have multiple animals sharing food sources like this because germs spread quickly among them.
Limit Access to Rooms
When you first bring your puppy home, limit access to other rooms. You’ll want to give your furry friend a safe space to feel comfortable and snuggle with you when he’s ready for some attention. In addition, having only one room to explore will make it easier for him to settle in without getting distracted by new sights and smells. It also means you won’t have to worry about him getting underfoot while trying out the couch or hopping on the kitchen countertop.
While some puppies are content just hanging out with their littermates in their room, others may be more interested in exploring than eating. If yours falls into this latter category, try putting the food bowl in another room, so it has an incentive to eat and run around after finishing the meal each day.
Have a Crate Available
A crate is an excellent place for your puppy to retreat when he needs some alone time or when you need to keep him away from other pets and children. A crate can also help you train your puppy not to make messes in the house since dogs often have accidents while playing around. Plus, if you are gone for long periods during the day, have a reliable place for your dog where he is safe and comfortable while you’re gone.
Cleaning Supplies
As any dog owner will tell you, puppies are a lot of work. They can make a mess of your apartment in a matter of days if you’re not prepared. So ensure you have cleaning supplies on hand to be ready when accidents happen. Keep them set for clean-up of your puppy at least once or twice per week, which it needs. You’ll also want to keep some chewing toys around for your puppy, as when they get bored, they start chewing on things like furniture it shouldn’t.
Adapting to New Home
Now that you have your new puppy, what’s next? Like any other new addition to the family, there are things you need to do to help him adapt and feel comfortable in his new home. The most important thing is to give him plenty of love and attention. It will help him learn how much fun he can have playing with toys and exploring the house with you by his side. Your puppy will also need some basic training to know how to behave in social settings like a dog park or walk on a leash. It’s crucial as they may not know when it’s okay for them to be around other pets which may not be friendly.
The first step is getting everything ready before bringing them into their new home, so they don’t get confused about where they are. Make sure all furniture has been moved out of reach of puppies because these sharp teeth can easily chew through wood, including expensive tables made from solid oak. You might also want to invest in childproofing products like gates to safeguard them.
Dogs Need Special Care
We hope this article has given you the knowledge to start your pet prep. If you’ve taken our advice and made preparations ahead of time, congratulations, you’re ready to welcome your new pup home. But if not, don’t panic; there’s still time to get prepared before they arrive. Remember that every dog is different and needs special care, so ensure you can provide what’s best for your furry friend.
Speaks from heart, always too passionate and driven by emotions. Spins the words with kindness & sharpness, intriguing your ever-inscrutable minds.
