Choosing the Right Dog Breed
Selecting the right dog breed is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when preparing to welcome a canine companion into your home. There are over 300 recognized dog breeds, each with their own unique temperaments, energy levels, sizes, shedding amount, and care requirements. Taking the time to carefully consider these factors will help ensure you find the breed that’s the best fit for your lifestyle.
One of the top things to think about is your desired dog’s energy level. Active breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies require upwards of 60-90 minutes of exercise per day and ongoing mental stimulation. Lower energy breeds like Basset Hounds or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need less activity but still appreciate daily walks and play. Matching your lifestyle and activity level to your dog’s needs will make for a happier partnership.
Size is another key consideration, especially if you live in an apartment or small home. Larger breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards need ample indoor and outdoor space. Smaller breeds like French Bulldogs and Pomeranians are better suited to compact living quarters. There are also medium-sized breeds that can thrive in a variety of home sizes.
Shedding amount varies greatly by breed. Heavy shedders like German Shepherds and Huskies require daily brushing and vacuuming. Low shedding breeds like Poodles and West Highland White Terriers need less grooming. If you want to minimize hair in your home, opt for a short-haired or low shedding breed.
It’s also very important to research breed temperaments. Some breeds like Chihuahuas and Dachshunds can be prone to barking and don’t always do well with small children. Breeds like Golden Retrievers and Pugs are known for their friendly, patient natures. Thinking about who will be interacting with your dog regularly can help inform the ideal temperament.
Taking the time to reflect on these key factors will set you up to choose a canine companion that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle for years to come.
Preparing Your Home
When bringing a new puppy home, it’s important to puppy proof your house and create a safe space for them. Here are some tips for preparing your home:
Remove any small objects or toxins that the puppy could swallow. This includes things like wires, houseplants, medications, small toys or knick-knacks. Store these items out of the puppy’s reach.
Block access to any spaces where the puppy could get stuck or injured. Use baby gates to block stairways or cover sharp table edges with foam bumpers.
Designate a safe space like a crate or small room that will be just for the puppy. Fit it with bedding, toys, food and water bowls.
Buy all the basic supplies you’ll need – leash, collar, ID tag, food and water bowls, puppy food, treats, toys, cleaning products, etc. Have everything prepped and ready to go before the puppy comes home.
Consider any lifestyle factors that may require additional puppy-proofing. If you have other pets, secure their food/litter. If you have young kids, monitor play and teach gentle interaction.
Preparing your home thoroughly will help set your new puppy up for health, safety and success!
House Training Your New Puppy
House training a puppy requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Establishing a routine is key – take your puppy outside frequently, at least every 2 hours as well as after eating, drinking, playing and waking up from a nap. Praise and reward with treats as soon as they go potty outside. An effective method is crate training, which utilizes a dog’s natural instinct to keep their den clean. The crate should be just big enough for them to stand up and turn around. Never use the crate for punishment. Limit time in the crate to 2-3 hours for an 8 week old puppy. Persistence and consistency are vital – accidents will happen but don’t reprimand, simply clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smell and remind yourself it’s a process. Stay positive and be patient, your hard work will pay off.
Socialization
Socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do, especially when they are a puppy. Exposing puppies to new experiences, people, animals, places, sights, sounds, and smells, all while they are under 16 weeks old, is crucial for ensuring they grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.
Puppies go through a prime socialization period early in life, usually ending by 12-16 weeks of age. During this time, they are most receptive to learning about new things and having positive experiences. Exposing puppies to a wide variety of environments, people, and animals now will help avoid fearfulness, reactivity, or aggression issues later on.
Make an effort to intentionally socialize your puppy by:
- Taking them on car rides
- Visiting new places like parks, stores, cafes, etc. that allow dogs
- Inviting friends over to meet your puppy
- Arranging puppy play dates with vaccinated dogs
- Carrying them downtown to experience city sights and sounds
- Exposing them to loud noises like vacuum cleaners, blenders, thunderstorms, etc. in a calm, positive way
With plenty of positive exposures during this key developmental stage, your puppy will learn how to confidently handle new situations as an adult dog. Be sure to also pair socialization with lots of rewards, patience, and gentle guidance to make it a happy, stress-free experience for your pup.
Basic Training
Basic training is an essential part of raising a well-behaved dog. Here are some of the most important basic commands to teach your dog:
Sit – Teaching your dog to sit on command provides an important foundation for other skills. Start by holding a treat above your dog’s nose, then slowly moving it above their head so they tip their nose up. Once in sitting position, say “sit” and give the treat. Repeat until they associate the command with the action.
Stay – A stay command teaches your dog to remain in position until you release them. Start with sit, say “stay”, take a step back, then return and treat. Gradually increase distance and duration. Use a release word like “okay” to end the stay.
Come – A reliable recall is vital for keeping your dog safe. Start small, reward with treats when they come, and practice in enclosed areas. As they improve, practice with distractions slowly added.
Leash walking – Teach your dog not to pull by stopping when they do and rewarding slack leash. Use treats to keep attention on you, turn in the other direction when they pull, and be patient. Daily practice leads to nice walking.
No jumping – To discourage jumping, cross your arms and turn away when they jump. Reward four-paw downs. Teach an alternative like sit to greet people. With consistency, your dog will stop jumping.
Exercise
Getting enough exercise is crucial for a dog’s physical and mental health. Make sure your dog gets daily walks, play time, and mental stimulation.
Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day. The amount needed depends on factors like age, breed, and individual energy levels. Puppies and high-energy breeds need more. Senior dogs and low-energy breeds need less.
Daily walks are great exercise and a chance for your dog to explore. Vary walk routes to keep things interesting. Play fetch at a park or in your yard. Try dog sports like agility, flyball, or disc dog. Interactive toys provide mental exercise too.
If your dog has separation anxiety or behavioral issues, more exercise can help by expending excess energy. Always supervise play and provide plenty of breaks to prevent overexertion.
Along with physical exercise, find ways to engage your dog’s mind each day. Feed using puzzle toys, play hide and seek, teach new tricks, or take training classes together. A mix of physical and mental exercise will keep your dog happy and healthy.
Grooming
Grooming is an important part of caring for your dog’s health and wellbeing. Proper grooming helps keep your dog clean, free of mats, and looking their best. Key grooming tasks include:
Nail Trimming
Trimming your dog’s nails regularly prevents cracks and splits. Use clippers designed for dogs and trim just the tip of the nail, avoiding the quick. Introduce nail trims slowly with treats to make it a positive experience.
Brushing
Frequent brushing removes dead hair, prevents matting, and distributes oils for a healthy coat. Use a slicker brush for short smooth coats, undercoat rake for thick double coats, and bristle brush for long hair. Brush in the direction of hair growth.
Bathing
Give your dog a bath every few months or when dirty. Use a mild canine shampoo and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly to avoid skin irritation. Dry completely with a towel or blow dryer on low heat.
Dental Care
Regular tooth brushing prevents plaque buildup and promotes oral health. Use a soft brush and canine toothpaste. Work up to brushing a few times per week. Professional cleanings with your vet are also recommended.
Nutrition
It’s important to give your dog a high-quality diet with appropriately portioned servings.
High-quality dog foods contain wholesome ingredients like meat, fish, vegetables, and grains. These complete and balanced formulas provide optimal nutrition for your pup. Avoid foods with artificial ingredients, by-products, or fillers. When possible, choose a dog food that follows WSAVA or AAFCO recommendations.
Check the serving sizes recommended on the dog food packaging by weight and adjust accordingly for your puppy or dog. Overfeeding can lead to obesity while underfeeding may result in deficiencies or malnourishment. As you monitor your dog’s body condition, you may need to adjust food portions to maintain an ideal weight.
Provide your dog access to clean, fresh water at all times to stay properly hydrated. Changing the water daily will help encourage drinking. Proper nutrition sets the foundation for your dog’s health and wellbeing.
Health
A dog’s health depends on providing proper preventative care and attending to any medical issues as they arise. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Vaccines
Puppies need a series of vaccines to help prevent common dangerous diseases. Vaccines are often given starting around 6-8 weeks old, with boosters every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Common puppy vaccines protect against parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, and rabies. Adult dogs need booster shots for many of these vaccines 1-3 years, depending on the specific vaccine and risk factors.
Preventatives
Dogs need regular parasite prevention to protect against heartworm, fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and other common parasites. Heartworm and flea/tick preventatives are typically given monthly in oral or topical form. Intestinal parasite screening is recommended 1-4 times per year depending on risk factors. Preventatives help avoid dangerous parasitic infections.
Vet Visits
Take your dog to the vet at least once yearly for a wellness exam. Senior dogs often need visits twice yearly. The vet will check your dog’s overall health, weight, teeth, heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and more. They can catch emerging issues early before they become bigger problems. Having an established vet provides a trusted medical resource for your dog’s healthcare needs.
Enrichment
Providing enrichment for your dog is crucial to their well-being. Enrichment refers to physical and mental stimulation that allows dogs to engage in natural behaviors. There are many simple yet effective ways to enrich your dog’s daily life.
Toys are a great enrichment tool for dogs. Choose interactive toys that encourage chewing, chasing, and problem-solving, like Kongs, puzzle feeders, treat balls, rope toys, and Fetch. Rotate different toys to prevent boredom. Supervise destructive chewers with durable chew toys. Avoid small pieces that could present a choking hazard.
Puzzles and games provide mental stimulation. Examples include hide-and-seek with treats, sniffing/tracking games, and food puzzles that require work to access kibble. Learning new commands and tricks is enriching too. Vary activities to continually challenge your dog.
Quality time together also enriches your dog’s life. Take your dog on walks, hikes, or runs. Swimming and playing fetch are great active bonding activities. Snuggle sessions, petting, and massage help dogs feel loved. Dedicate focused one-on-one time without distractions.
Adequate enrichment prevents boredom and frustration, improves confidence, reduces stress and unwanted behaviors, and strengthens your bond.