Many Australians have welcomed a new puppy or dog into their home due to the pandemic. You’ve probably thought about how to care for your dog and what your puppy needs. We’d like to give you a few more tips so that your new pet feels safe and happy at home.
You should never buy a pet based on impulse. It’s important to consider all of the implications associated with pet ownership, including reading the Smart Puppy and Dog Buyer’s Guide and ensuring that you can care for your pet after you return to work and life returns to normal.
The RSPCA in your area is ready to help you find the right dog for your family.
Living area
Create a home where your pet can relax and settle in to their new environment. Create a sleeping area where your pet can rest and relax. Make sure your dog can’t accidentally touch anything dangerous. Common household hazards are food, plants and chemicals.
Toilet Training
Toilet training takes time and patience, but it is essential for a happy and harmonious family. RSPCA recommends reward-based learning as the best way to train your puppy. Start by giving your dog many opportunities to use the toilet. Reward them every time they do so (or as often as possible). Our Knowledgebase has a complete article on how to teach your puppy or dog the correct way to use the toilet. This is a must-read article!
Vet care
RSPCA dogs are desexed, vaccinated and have received a vaccination. Desexing can help to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and it may also improve the health and behavior of your dog. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice about the next vaccinations. You should be aware that puppies can contract a variety of infectious diseases. Some are fatal, like Parvovirus. For your puppy’s safety, it is important that they receive their full vaccinations. Most boarding kennels and Doggy Daycare in Perth will not accept dogs who haven’t received the most recent vaccinations.
You will also be informed by your vet about other treatments, such as flea treatment or worming.
Socialization
Dogs need to be socialized and trained as soon as they reach the puppy stage. The “critical period for socialization” is between 3 and 17 week. You should give your dog plenty of opportunities to socialize and be exposed to different environments. If you can, enroll him in puppy classes that reward good behavior.
Exercise
Exercise is essential to your dog’s overall health. The dog will usually prefer to go for a walk. This is a wonderful time to bond with your dog. If you are in an area that is under lockdown, make sure you follow all government guidelines and abide by the site boundaries if necessary. You can’t leave a certain area. Take your dog on a different route every now and again to expose him to new sights, sounds, and smells.