Diet And Training Tips To Help You Deal With Your Small Puppy

Having a small puppy is just like raising a little child in some ways. A pup is still in its formative years, and it is crucial to develop its diet and train it to be a responsible companion as it grows up. House-training a puppy is no easy task but pays off once your pup grows into a wonderful dog.

You have to pour in a lot of commitment, patience, and consistency in your training and diet regimen for your pup to see positive results. To get your puppy to become accustomed to your home, here are some diet and training tips that can help you deal with your young furry friend.

Know Your Puppy First

Before you bring home your puppy, you should at least know some vital information about it. Puppy matchmakers from Uptown Puppies recommend that you know the puppy’s breed, intelligence, adaptability, friendliness, obedience, and other essential information that you will find handy once you introduce your pup to its new home.

You would not want to go scrambling for information on the first day of your pup inside your home. Your puppy’s first day can be full of anxiety and apprehension as your puppy is trying to make sense of its new environment. Be ready with treats, as you will need positive reinforcement later on. 

Establish a Bathroom Area Outside

One of the important things you need to instill in your puppy is to have a designated area where they can go potty or relieve themselves. Use a leash when taking your puppy outside for potty training and use a command or word to remind them where to go and what to do for potty or peeing.

Be sure to praise your puppy and give them a treat once they can consistently follow your commands and to potty. Also, make sure they are finished relieving themselves before praising or rewarding them, as they get easily distracted and may not be finished with their business.

Let Your Puppy Explore Your Home Gradually

One common misconception about puppy training is to let your puppies freely explore the entire house during the first few days of their stay. This can be an intimidating and overwhelming task for your puppy, so gradually open up areas for them to explore. Open up your crate and let your puppy get out daily for them to expand their awareness of where they can eat, drink, play, and rest.

Do not be in a hurry to get them familiarized with the different areas of your home. Different pups have varying adjustment periods, so let them adapt to your home at their own pace. Be sure to praise and reward them for every discovery or accomplishment in their exploration. Also, be sure to train them on which rooms and areas are off-limits. It will come in handy as they grow older.

Introduce Your Family Members Gradually

A gradual approach is also emphasized when it comes to introducing your puppy to the people that live with you in the house. The ideal pace should be one person at a time, but it can be difficult to follow with all the excitement and enthusiasm of the family members over meeting their new furry housemate. To make sure that your puppy does not get smothered by the warm welcome, let your family members meet and bond with your puppy at different times individually. It is easier for the puppy to differentiate and get familiar with your family members.

Establish a Feeding Schedule and Healthy Diet for Your Puppy

Once your puppy gets used to its surroundings, be prepared to sustain its boundless energy and playfulness inside and outside your home. Most puppies, depending on the breed, need to eat at least three times a day until they are six months old. To ensure that they are supervised when eating, schedule their feeding times after your family’s meal schedules. It will teach your puppy valuable visual cues and reminders of its time to eat.

Nutrition is essential for a puppy’s growth and development, and you should provide a measured and balanced diet for them to grow strong and healthy. During the first six months, puppies need a higher quantity of protein and fats in their diets, along with carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Specially-formulated dog foods for puppies usually have measured amounts of these nutrients, but if you want to be sure, you can visit your vet to assess your puppy and give you a dietary plan and nutritional recommendation.

There are plenty of things that you need to do when taking in a pet puppy. Puppies need constant care and guidance as they grow, and it is your duty as a responsible owner to train them and look after their health and well-being. Also, include regular visits to your vet to ensure your puppy is in good health or when you notice something’s wrong with them. As mentioned earlier, raising a puppy doesn’t come easy, but if you love what you do and stay committed to caring for them, your puppy will reward you greatly.