Puppy Parenting 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Pet Ownership

January 17, 2018

PetCenter says, “Let’s get back to the basics!” A guide to the dreaded housebreaking and teething!

If you recently purchased a puppy from PetCenter, then you know that our staff is dedicated to providing education to new pet owners. This article is an all-in-one resource from PetCenter created for new pet parents.

Cleaning Up

Surely by now you’ve discovered that a small puppy can wreak just as much havoc on a home as a two year old. Messes come with the turf of owning a puppy. Here a few things you can do to keep your home in order:

• Invest in a vacuum with a pet filter to cut down on hair and pet dander.
• Purchase a cleaning spray with urine odor eliminator for accidents.
• Purchase potty pads and change them when they are soiled.
• Use a playpen as a safe, spacious, and controlled play area while you clean.
• Secure trashcans with lids.
• Keep bathroom doors closed to keep toilet paper on the roll.

At-Home Bathing and Professional Grooming

Home destruction can get a little dirty. Your puppy will need regular at home bathings, as well as scheduled visits to the groomer, especially if they have long hair. Here are a few things you should know about keeping your puppy clean.

• Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equally. Consult with the staff at PetCenter for recommendations on the best shampoo and conditioners for your puppy.
• Nail clipping is better left to the professionals to prevent injuries.
• Brushing your puppy can improve bonding. Be patient, gentle, and purchase the proper brush for your puppy’s hair type.

Playtime, Playtime and More Playtime

Puppies take playtime very seriously! If you are a new puppy parent here are few toys your puppy will love to chew.

• Braided tug-o-war ropes – These won’t unravel as your puppy proves just how strong his jaws really are.
• Durable chewy balls – These won’t break apart like tennis balls and end up in the stomach of your puppy.
• Rubber animals – These make stimulating sounds and won’t break apart like stuffed animals.

Puppy Potty Training

Every puppy is different, so potty training is not one size fits all. Be patient as your puppy learns and follow these tips to encourage faster learning:

• Expect accidents and don’t punish your puppy.
• Use positive reinforcement and rewards.
• Clean thoroughly, as urine odors will tempt your puppy to revisit and re-soil!

Food Selection

Similar to humans, puppies can easily become unhealthy if they eat too much of the wrong foods. Choosing the right food not only improves your puppy’s health, but it will also improve your interaction with your puppy. Here are a few pointers for selecting the proper food.

• Ask for help – At PetCenter, we understand that dietary needs vary by breed. We can help you select the right food based on the breed of your pup.
• Create a feeding schedule – By scheduling meals, your puppy will begin to understand the feeding routine and know when to expect a meal.
• Do not give your puppy human food – No matter how cute your puppy looks when she begs, avoid the temptation of feeding her table scraps. All the nutrients she needs are in her puppy food and furthermore it creates a bad habit of begging and makes your meal time stressful.
• Puppy parenting is a joyful time of bonding and learning. At PetCenter, our goal is to educate pet owners and end animal homeless. Learn more about puppy parenting and the tools you need to make the experience easier by stopping by your local PetCenter today.