Heartwarming Ways to Welcome a Puppy into Your Family

Congratulations! You’ve just welcomed a new addition to your family. Your new puppy whom you love like your kid. Along with the excitement comes anxiety and stress. Don’t worry, we know how it feels. 

What if your puppy finds it hard to integrate into the new dynamic? Or what if the kids don’t get along with them? These questions are weighing heavy on your mind. 

Your furry companion can easily become part of a loving family with lots of patience and careful consideration. Below, we’ll show you how.

Prepare Beforehand

You’ve probably stocked up on dog treats, toys and a comfy dog bed. But have you designated zones, asks Bayside Animal Hospital.

Creating a safe zone allows your other pets to feel safe and relaxed while your little pup explores their new environment. 

The neutral space is used for supervised playtime and initial introductions. Bayside suggests this can be a shared living space, garage or backyard.

Like toddlers, puppies need constant supervision, especially in the early days. To prevent any accidents, puppy-proof your home and remove any hazardous items.

Meeting the Family

Teach your kids how to safely interact with their pet. They must be gentle and respectful, thus creating mutual trust from both sides.

The first meeting has a lasting effect on children and young dogs. Ask the children to sit quietly while your puppy investigates its surroundings. Pups are curious by nature, so it’s only a matter of time till they come across the little ones.

The kids should speak in a calm, gentle tone and only pat the dog on the shoulder, and not on their head or tail. 

Rewarding your pooch reinforces good behavior when around younger children. It also helps associate children with something positive.

Establish a Routine

Getting your pup into a routine as soon as possible will prevent you from losing your sanity and set the pace for home life.

Goddard Veterinary Group recommends enrolling them in puppy classes. This will help with basic training and let them interact with other dogs and humans. Reputable puppy trainers are booked well in advance, so sign up your dog from 20 weeks or older. 

Most dogs don’t join their human families house-trained. Start with taking them outside at a scheduled time every two hours. Puppies can typically hold their pee for a few hours; don’t go too long between bathroom breaks.

Pick a spot outside and let them do their business. Accidents are bound to happen during the potty training stage. No matter how many times you clean up after them, another poop appears.

Support local businesses and employ pet waste removal services operating at residential and commercial properties. They do the dirty work by deodorizing and cleaning the yard.

Choose a service that uses environmentally responsible methods for dog waste removal, advises Scoop Soldiers.

Some companies provide weekly and monthly cleaning services, including cleaning the backyard, entryways, kennels and apartment complexes.

Socializing and Play

As mentioned, puppy classes enable your dog to socialize with other dogs. Once they are comfortable, you can take them to dog parks and for walks without causing a ruckus. Socializing is integral to their development and encourages healthy play.

In some cases, anxious pups tend to hide away when someone new visits the home. When it comes to humans, introduce your friends a few at a time so they don’t become overwhelmed and overstimulated. 

Mental stimulation at such a young age can sometimes prove difficult. Because of their puppy teeth, they are constantly chewing. Introduce toys to chew, lick and sniff to save your shoes and furniture from destruction.

Discipline

Disciplining a puppy is not for the faint-hearted. It requires nerves of steel and turning a blind eye to their extraordinary cuteness.

Dog training experts say there’s a huge difference between disciplining and punishing your doggie. MasterClass says discipline is about training methods to correct bad behavior. 

The last thing you want is an unruly dog. Rather take preventative action by using basic commands delivered in a calm but firm tone. Supervision and positive reinforcement are also forms of puppy discipline. 

When they’re good little doggies, reward them with a cuddle, treats or playtime.

Puppies aren’t born bad. Sometimes, their pet parents misunderstand the cues and mistake them for unruly behavior. 

With lots of nurturing and patience, you’ll be rewarded with a best friend and furry companion who will love you unconditionally. 

Stick to a routine, encourage them to socialize and instill positive discipline methods.