Three Things to Know About Proper Puppy Ownership
Puppies are cute, adorable creatures that can bring great joy to your life, but it is important to make sure that you are really ready for the responsibility of puppy ownership. If you have never had a puppy before, you more than likely do not realize what it really takes to own a puppy. The guide below walks you through a few things you need to know about owning a puppy before you choose to get one.
Puppies Need to Be Dewormed
When puppies are born, they almost always have worms living in their bellies or ones that will develop soon after birth. If the worms go untreated, they can kill the puppy. You need to take the puppy to a vet as soon as possible so that he or she can start a deworming regiment right away. There are a few different deworming options available because there are many different types of worms that may be living in your puppy. The vet will be able to tell you which treatment is right for your puppy to ensure that the deworming is done in the safest way possible. The deworming medication will kill the parasites and then cause the dog to pass them when he or she defecates. After the puppy is fully dewormed, regular medication will need to be given to ensure that more worms do not develop in the future.
Puppies Need Vaccinations
In order to prevent the puppy from becoming sick, certain vaccinations will need to be given to him or her. A common and very important vaccination to get your puppy is a rabies vaccine. If your dog is bitten by an animal that has rabies, the shot will keep them from contracting the deadly virus and ensure that he or she can stay as healthy as possible.
Puppies Need a Safe Place to Play
Puppies are like small children in many ways. They like to explore, have a lot of energy, and need to be able to play. If you do not have a fenced in yard for your puppy to play in, consider adding an invisible fence to the yard or consider taking him or her to the park on a regular basis to burn up their energy.
Be sure to take your dog outside every hour or so until he or she is potty trained to ensure that they do not urinate or defecate in your home. You need to praise them every time they use the restroom outside so that they know they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Having a puppy is a huge time commitment and requires a lot of patience. It is best to make sure that you are ready to give a puppy everything it needs before getting one to ensure you can give them the life that they deserve.
If you are ready to get a puppy, then start checking out animal shelters and places like AKA's Doodles and Poodles LLC to find one that's a good fit for you.