As a first-time dog owner, you might have questions and concerns before bringing a puppy home. So, we’ve created a list of things to help you out.
Before You Bring Your Dog Home
You have to understand that dog is a quite demanding piece of work. Many could stare at and play with cute puppies. But raising a puppy is something completely different. You have to be patient and have plenty of free time besides other things.
Consider the following before buying a puppy to ensure that both you and the puppy will feel good together.
Take Time In The Beginning
Your puppy is being introduced to a new environment. Maybe your new puppy came from a farm or a shelter where he was surrounded by other animals and different owners. Taking your puppy home will be a completely new experience. To make your puppy feel safe, you will need to stay close by at all times.
Cost
Having a dog in Denmark is quite expensive. Of course, a lot depends on your individual income, but still, you have to pay for your dog’s healthcare, insurance, toys, dog food, and petsitter. So make sure to spend time researching how much it costs to become a dog parent and consider whether it is something you can afford.
Where Do I Get My Puppy From?
There are many dog breeders, but not all are good. Research options as much as possible and call the breeders you are interested in. Make sure to ask about the puppy´s parents, pedigree, vaccination history, how often they breed the mother, etc. That way you can get a clearer image of who your potential seller is.
Alternatively and preferably, you can always adopt a puppy from the shelter. Not convinced? Before you make any decisions, pay a visit to a dog shelter that is closest to you and see how you feel. Maybe a dog will adopt you!
Find the Right Veterinarian
Many people choose veterinarians closest to them. Clinics often have their own websites where you can check prices, services offered, and possibly customer reviews.
Going to a clinic can be an inconvenience and for many dogs, it is a very stressful experience. That is the case with many little puppies. If going to a clinic is too stressful and inconvenient, you can always have a veterinarian come to your home to do the annual health checkup and vaccinations or consultation if your dog is sick.
No matter what you decide, you need to think about the pros and cons of each option and then find out what works best for your dog.
Insurance for Your Puppy
In Denmark, the law states that all dogs must be insured with at least liability insurance. This type of insurance covers any damage one’s dog might do to other people, dogs or their belongings.
Health insurance is separate, and useful when your dog is injured, has breed-specific medical issues or becomes ill. Should your dog receive any medication or need surgery, the insurance will cover some procedures. Check our website to see which insurance companies we work with
that will cover our veterinary consultation fees.
It´s Time to Come Home
The first few days may be a little tough, for both you and your new puppy. Remember that everything is new for the puppy and you do not know exactly how he was raised by the breeder, so be patient, spend lots of time with him and everything should be fine. Here are some things that you, as a first-time dog owner, should follow:
First Things First: Potty Training
You need to teach your dog to pee and poop outside. Take a walk with your dog as often as possible. That way, you will reduce the chance of an accident from happening while at home.
Puppies are babies learning new things all the time. Look for signs like circling or sniffing the floor as these indicate that your puppy needs to potty. If you see your puppy peeing on the floor, it´s okay to make a loud noise to indicate that something is wrong and should not be done. But if you arrive too late, it makes no sense to raise your voice at the puppy, as your puppy will not be able to connect the dots of what he just did and your shouting.
Socialization
No matter the breed you have, it is incredibly important to socialize your dog with other dogs, animals and people. Socialization is an important part of the puppy’s upbringing and will determine his behavior around other pets and humans as an adult. The earlier you start socializing your puppy the better it will be for both of you.
At Home
Invite some friends to visit, as your home is a place where the puppy feels most safe. Notice how your new family member is behaving. Whether the puppy´s tail is wagging with excitement or whether the tail is tucked behind his hind legs because he is feeling insecure. Does he lick your guests, or does he bark and run away? These are all signs you should take note of.
Out on The Street
The puppy should be introduced to other dogs and humans while out for a walk. Would strangers like to hold your dog in their arms? Let them do it! It is good for your dog to get used to other scents. The more stimuli, the better for him.
When socializing, you also need to pay close attention to your dog´s behavior. If your dog has a bad experience it can be quite traumatizing and will affect his behavior and attitude in the future. When introducing your puppy to other dogs, make sure the other dog is leashed then ask the other dog’s owner if his dog is friendly towards other dogs, is neutered, etc.
When your puppy relieves himself outside or does well when introduced to other dogs and humans, make sure to reward him with treats, and say “good boy”, “nice job” or another term of your choosing. Simply show your puppy that this is the desired behavior and that he should keep up the good work.
MyPeterinarian Can Help
Should any problems arise or you lack the time to take care of your dog, then you can just contact us and we will figure it out together! We offer different kinds of services, both veterinary as well as pet care services. Simply put, everything you and your dog need.
