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Are you having a rough time dealing with a puppy, what with all the stresses of the novel coronavirus? Being worried about your pet’s care and health is completely understandable given the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.
If you need expert advice on how to keep your puppy safe, healthy, and happy in the midst of COVID-19, here are a few tips.
Give Your Puppy a Strong Foundation
Fur parents know that as adorable as puppies are, they can be quite a handful. Aggressiveness, painful bites, and wrecking furniture and stuff at home are only a few ways dogs can be destructive. These actions may look cute as of now, but when your dog grows bigger, faster, and stronger, they may pose dangers, especially when you have children at home. Furthermore, at this unusual time when the home has also become a workplace, having pets that are hard to manage can exacerbate the existing stress factors in the household.
You can’t change your pet’s personality, but giving your puppy professional puppy training can encourage good behavior. Although some dog breeds are more strong-willed than others, it is important to remember that each dog is unique. Choosing a good trainer who can tailor their approach to meet the individual needs of your dog is crucial. Starting them young is also a smart way to avoid a lot of problems in the future. This is because puppy brains are most malleable before they reach 16 weeks of age.
If going to a trainer in-person is not a good option considering the imposed travel restrictions, online classes are available for your puppy to learn helpful behavior. Setting your puppies up to be obedient, well-behaved dogs has several benefits.
Aside from reduced chances of having your stuff destroyed by your energetic puppy, guiding your pup into making the correct choices helps improve the bond between you. Studies show that pet owners who have behaviorally stable dogs get more satisfaction. Having a pet that is relaxed and responsive means you’ll get more pleasure when interacting with your dog.
Another aspect is the socialization. With proper instruction, puppies can learn how to respond to other dogs and people, helping them get along with others. When puppies learn what’s acceptable and what’s not, they’ll have a better, safer time when they’re out for a walk or when they’re visiting a veterinary clinic for a regular checkup. All in all, an obedient dog is a happy dog.
Timely Veterinary Visits
The importance of having a healthy dog in the middle of a pandemic cannot be further emphasized. That said, vaccinations and consultations are vital needs that cannot be neglected. Although the pandemic has limited travel and vet visits as part of current health protocols, it has also created an alternative way for pet owners to reach veterinarians in the safety of their homes.
Pet healthcare still belongs to essential services, so your beloved pups still have access to medicines and emergency procedures. You can now book veterinarians online, and have them visit your home to offer expert advice and address the medical needs of your pup.
To better accommodate your puppy’s veterinary essentials, always keep track of your pet’s vaccination dates, deworming schedules, and routine checkups. Keeping your puppies up to date with their vaccinations can help prevent several deadly diseases and improve their quality of life.
Lastly, make sure your veterinarian’s helpline numbers are within reach so you can immediately contact them should your puppy be in an urgent, critical situation.
Good Nutrition and Hydration
Keeping your fur baby healthy starts with serving them nutritious food. With so many commercial dog food varieties available, choosing the best for your adorable puppy can be tough. If they are all advertised to be complete and balanced for all dogs, how can you filter the right options from the less ideal ones?
Experts say the first step is to ask yourself about your priorities when feeding your dog. Do you need the healthiest choice? Does the cost matter? How much time can you give in preparing your puppy’s meals?
When in doubt, you may reach out to your local veterinarian for professional advice regarding your dog’s nutritional needs. Ingredients, price, and prep time are all crucial factors and your veterinarian can help you decide which kind of dog food is best for your puppy.
You can help your veterinarian narrow down the choices by also doing your own research. You may want to consider your dog’s weight and their pickiness when it comes to their diet. The amount of food your dog needs is also dependent on their age, energy levels, and physical condition. Feeding your dog twice daily is generally recommended for adult dogs, but it can vary especially when you have a small puppy.
Key Takeaways
What applies to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being applies to our beloved animals as well. They need fun activities that stimulate their brain, regular exercise to keep them fit, nutritious food to keep them in good health, and proper guidance for a more positive disposition.
By caring for your pet properly, you can have a happy, tail-wagging puppy that loves you unconditionally and can be great emotional support especially in this challenging time.
