Starting Off On The Right Paw

One of the many things I've learned in my time volunteering at Pet Pal Animal Shelter is that EVERYONE goes crazy when word gets out that there are puppies available for adoption.  I guess this is because puppies are so irresistibly cute!  The other thing I've learned is that these innocent bundles of cuteness sometimes wind up back at the shelter because their families don't fully realize what they're getting into when they adopt a youngster.  

 

Bringing home a new puppy might seem like a dream come true, especially for young children, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if not carefully planned and prepared for in advance. .  Just think about it for a moment...would you bring your newborn child home without making all sorts of preparations; setting up a room for the nursery, filling the pantry with a supply of formula, purchasing baby bottles and diapers in huge quantities, picking out toys and pacifiers, selecting the baby's doctor, etc.? You need to make similar preparations for your new puppy and think about the supplies you will need, the car ride home, and the puppy's activities, feeding, and veterinary check-up.  February is "Responsible Pet Owner Month" so I thought this would be a good time to review some of the things you can and should expect when adopting a puppy.   

 

First and foremost, you and your family should have extensive discussions regarding EVERYTHING involved in raising a puppy and be sure EVERYONE is in agreement to proceed.  Next, you will need to write a list and get your supplies ahead of time.  Pre-puppy shopping allows you to take your time without the pressure of the pup needing it right now.  The puppy is going to need a room or at least a place he/she can call his/her own, and a cage or crate will work great.  You are better off getting one that is big enough for him/her to use as an adult.  The pup will need food and water bowls, toys to chew on and play with, a collar and leash, a bag of a good quality dry puppy food, and plenty of newspapers or training pads if you are going to house-train inside.

 
You'll need to puppy-proof the area where the youngster will spend most of his/her time in the beginning.  This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards, storing household chemicals on high shelves, removing plants and breakables, setting up the crate, and installing gates.  Once you think you've completely puppy-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a puppy's-eye view.  If you have children, hold a family meeting to lay down the rules.  Don't overwhelm the new pup the first day, and don't fight over him/her or create mob scenes showing him/her to the neighborhood.  

 

When you adopt your puppy, be sure to find out what and when he/she was fed and stick to that schedule at home for at least the first few days to avoid a puppy with an upset tummy.  If you want to switch to a different brand, do so gradually over a period of about a week by mixing the old food and the new food.  Consistency is important right from the start.

 

Coming home will start out with a car ride from the shelter.  Try to keep this from being an overly stressful experience for the pup.  The main problem dogs can have with car rides is usually not what we humans refer to as motion sickness, but simple anxiety about the vibrations and sounds as well as the movement.  Many dogs that have developed problems with car rides get nervous or even nauseated before the engine is even started.  It is important that this first trip not be a bad experience that becomes a repetitious behavioral pattern.  Before you leave the shelter, try to get the pup to go to the bathroom so there are no floods or surprises caused by all the excitement of the ride.

 

Leaving the familiar people and surroundings of the shelter will probably bring about some puppy anxiety; however, this can be greatly diminished if you plan your schedules so that there's someone home with the puppy the first few days.  Plan for this introductory period by keeping the puppy involved with plenty of attention from children and other family members.  If the children are young or are not familiar with how to handle puppies, you should spend some time with them during these first few days explaining common sense rules on how to play with the puppy.

 
Once home, folks who plop the excited newcomer on the sofa and let the kids smother it with hugs and kisses will be mopping up in no time-and regretting the lesson they taught their new pup.  Instead, take him/her to his toileting area immediately.  From there, carry out your schedule for feeding, toileting, napping, and play/exercise.  From Day One, your pup will need lots of family time but also brief periods of alone time.  Solitude may be new to the pup, so he/she may vocalize concern.  Don't give in and comfort him/her or you may end up creating a monster!  "Gee, if making noise brought them running once, maybe more whimpering is needed to get their attention again," reasons the puppy.  Give him/her lots of positive attention for good behaviors such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly.

Of course one of the most important things you need to do for your new puppy is get him/her to a veterinarian for an initial exam.  You will want to make sure the puppy is free of any congenital traits or other medical conditions.  Of course all animals adopted from Pet Pal leave the shelter in good health, but it's crucial that all vaccinations are kept current and heartworm preventative is maintained regularly. 

 
Being a responsible pet owner and doing things correctly from the start prevents a lot of confusion for both you and the puppy.  With a little puppy preparedness, you will be one step closer to your dream dog!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!