October 3, 2024

So You Just Got A New Puppy? What You Need To Know

Getting a new puppy is super exciting. After all, you are picking out a new member of your family who will enrich your life for years to come. However, once the excitement dies down, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with puppy ownership. Countryside Veterinary Services offers dog and cat care in the Covington area. Below, we'll go over a few things you should know once you get a new puppy.

Love is Key

Once you've chosen your little ball of fur, it's time to shower them with love. If you think about it, your little pup has only been on the planet for a matter of weeks, and most of what it knows it learned from its mother and siblings. Once you remove the pup from its family, you are their new family, so it's crucial that you shower them with love and affection right off the bat.

Socialize, Socialize, Socialize

Socialization is crucial to your pup's health and well-being. Exposing your pup to people, places, and objects will help them develop mentally and emotionally so that they feel safe in new environments, which is super important if you plan on taking your puppy to many different places. You want to ensure these interactions are positive and not stressful.

Train, Train, Train

You are asking your new puppy to learn how to live in an environment dominated by humans and their rules. Thus, training is crucial so you can teach your puppy what is acceptable behavior. The more you train, the less likely your pup will be afraid and resort to its inherent dog behaviors. Enroll in a puppy class as soon as possible, and be consistent so your pup understands the rules quickly.

Puppy Wellness Exams

Puppies need a lot of care, especially in their first year of life. They can catch parasites, develop abnormalities, or not grow properly. It's super important that you find a dog vet you can trust in your area who can ensure your pup is growing up strong and healthy. Like humans, puppies require many vaccines within their first year, as well as wellness checks.

Countryside Veterinary Services offers puppy packages to make your new pup's health and wellness exams affordable. We have a standard and a complete puppy package, as well as custom packages available. These plans include physical examinations, vaccinations, heartworm, and more. To learn more or to get started, schedule today! or request an appoinment online!