Happy National Puppy Day everyone! While puppies bring joy, companionship, and endless cuddles, they also require commitment, patience, and proper care. It’s crucial to remember that welcoming a new furry friend into your life comes with great responsibility. To ensure a great start in life with your new pup, check out our tips on responsible puppy ownership:
– Research Before You Adopt:
Before you consider getting a puppy, do your research to find out more about different breeds that will suit your lifestyle, activity level, and living situation. Consider factors like size, energy level, grooming needs, and temperament to ensure a good match. A puppy is really cute, and having one is such fun but owning a puppy involves a big commitment of time, cost and care. Dogs can live 10 to 15 years or more depending on the breed. During the time that you own a puppy or a dog, it will be your legal responsibility to look after its needs. Dogs and puppies require five essential things to be healthy and happy.
Under the Animal Health & Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013, all owners must provide for the following five welfare needs:
1. A suitable living environment
Your puppy will need to live in an environment that doesn’t endanger its health or welfare. The puppy will also need access to shelter, and the space to exercise and explore.
2. A nutritious diet
Including enough appropriate food and fresh drinking water.
3. Ability to act according to natural behaviour
Puppies and dogs need the ability to explore, play, have mental stimulation, run, dig, or exercise.
4. Companionship if necessary
You will also need to socialise your puppy with other dogs and people as appropriate.
5. To be healthy and protected from pain, injury or disease
If your pet becomes sick or injured, you are required to seek vet treatment. It is also vital that as a pet owner, you ensure your puppy or dog is properly socialised and trained, so it is protected from situations that will cause intense anxiety or fear.
– Adopt from a Rescue Centre:
Consider adopting from an Animal Rescue Centre such as the ISPCA to give a puppy a second chance of a loving home. The ISPCA ensure puppies and dogs adopted are fully vaccinated, spaying or neutering (when of age), microchipped (which is a legal requirement) and as part of the adoption process, we ensure that your pet has been treated for parasites along with a clean bill of health from our veterinary practitioners.
Puppy-proofing your home is essential to keep your curious new companion safe. Remove any toxic plants, small objects, electrical cords, and secure cabinets or areas that may pose a hazard to your puppy. Stock up on necessary supplies such as a comfortable pet bed, nutritious high-quality puppy food, bowls for fresh drinking water, toys for mental stimulation, a collar and leash, grooming tools, and a crate for puppy training and safe confinement.
Consistent and positive reinforcement training is key to raising a well-behaved and obedient puppy. Begin training your puppy as soon as possible, focusing on basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and how to walk on the lead. Use rewards like treats, praise, and playtime to encourage good behaviour.
– Socialise Your Puppy:
Expose your puppy to various people, animals, environments, noises, and experiences from a young age, to help them develop into confident and well-adjusted adults. Puppy socialisation classes can be beneficial for teaching proper social skills and reducing fear or aggression towards unfamiliar stimuli.
Puppies have boundless energy and require plenty of mental and physical exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behaviours. Engage in interactive play sessions, take frequent short daily walks, provide puzzle toys, and incorporate training sessions to keep your puppy stimulated and happy.
Establishing a consistent daily routine for feeding, toilet breaks, exercise, training, and rest will help your puppy feel secure and confident in their new environment. Predictability and structure are essential for promoting good behaviour and reducing any separation anxiety.
– Prioritise Veterinary Care:
Research the local veterinary clinics in the area and schedule a visit, shortly after bringing your new puppy home, for a thorough health check-up and bring your vaccination cards and microchipping details and any other paperwork, to discuss a preventive care plan. Regular veterinary practitioner visits are crucial for maintaining your puppy’s health and addressing any concerns early on.
Above all, shower your puppy with love, affection, and patience. Building a strong bond based on trust and respect is the foundation for a lifelong companionship filled with unconditional love and loyalty.
As we all celebrate National Puppy Day, let’s not only enjoy the joy and cuteness of these furry bundles of joy, but also commit to being responsible and loving puppy parents. By providing proper care, training, and affection, we can ensure our puppies grow into happy, healthy, and well-adjusted dogs who enrich our lives in countless ways.
Would you be ready to welcome a new furrever family member into your home? New puppies were recently brought into ISPCA care and will soon be ready to find their forever homes. Please consider adopting and visit https://ispca.ie/adoptions
To find out more about the ISPCA, get involved or kindly donate, please visit www.ispca.ie
