If you have a new puppy in the house then things could be a little bit chaotic. Dogs are wonderful additions to our families but don’t forget that cute little puppy will grow up to be a much bigger dog. Choose your breed wisely and make sure you have a dog that will suit your lifestyle and the size of your back yard.
Puppies are a lot like children, they love to play and they respond best to positive
reinforcement. Your puppy can be trained from a very early age so you can get started as soon as your puppy arrives at your door. Here are some of the basics:
1. Like children, puppies grow up fast, they tire easily and they don’t have very long attention spans so keep your training sessions short; five minutes is long enough at any one time but you can repeat your training program two or three times a day.
2. Keep your training down to just a few commands, like “sit”, “come” and “stay”, for the first couple of weeks. Your puppy will take time to settle into his new home and get used to his new “pack”. Some dogs will respond well to healthy dog treats and some dogs will be just as happy with lots of pats and tummy rubs when they do well. As you get to know your dog you’ll learn what works best for them.
3.Remember that what goes in must come out so make sure your puppy is fed on high quality dog food. Quality dog food is more expensive but your dog won’t need to eat as much as cheaper brands to get all the calories and nutrients it needs. If you are giving your dog treats at training time, make sure you use only small amounts of healthy treats like dried meat or dog pellets.
With a new puppy comes new expenses and unexpected vet bills can put a big dent in your family budget. If a large vet bill would cause a problem, consider taking out pet insurance so you have a financial safety net. But most of all, enjoy your new pet – after all, they say pet owners live longer and happier lives!
This is general advice only: Advice on this website is general only and does not consider your individual objectives or financial situation. Please review the relevant PDS and the FSG to ensure these products are right for you. Terms and Conditions apply. This information is provided by Guardian Insurance and is issued by Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd ABN 37 062 395 484
