It is Christmas morning. Your living room looks picture perfect with your entire family gathered around the Christmas tree. Your children are eager and ready to open the gifts left for them by Santa Claus. They can see that one box, with their names on it, that is wiggling around under the tree. They cannot hold back their excitement and take off the lid to find an adorable little puppy with a perfect little bow around his neck.
After months of petitioning from your kids, you and your partner have finally decided to give in and bring some additional joy and cheer into all your lives. This cute little bundle of joy is now a part of your home and family. Congratulations, you're a new pet owner!
Fast forward a few hours and the tender scene described above has now turned into a challenging surprise. With the excitement of Christmas morning slowly wearing off, the task of caring for this puppy begins. You feel are woefully unprepared and worry that things are only going to get harder.
Gifting a new puppy for Christmas is a long-term commitment. It comes with additional physical, emotional and financial responsibilities. Even if you have done your research, if you are a first-time dog owner, it is possible you are anxious and unsure about what to do now. Read on to learn how to prepare for your new puppy and how to raise him well. Follow these steps to take to make this lovely Christmas gift’s homecoming and his subsequent life with you a successful and happy one.
Welcoming a puppy in to the family changes your life forever. Your responsibility towards ensuring that this Christmas puppy becomes a successful gift begins from the moment you bring him home. While there are some people who raise concerns about bringing puppies home for Christmas, it can actually be a great time for a new pet since your whole family has time off from school and work and can help the puppy adapt and settle in.
The key to adjusting well to a new pet during the holiday season is to prepare in advance. Even before you have brought home your children’s Christmas gift, you need to begin your preparations. If you make the necessary arrangements to give your new pup a loving and safe home to grow and flourish, he will bring constant cheer and joy into your family’s life.
It can be a very exciting time with a new puppy. Those big puppy eyes and that wagging tail can melt any heart and make you go… aww! However, it is important to make sure that all the new people, surroundings, noise, and things do not overwhelm your little pup on his first day home. While this does not mean you need to leave him alone, just make sure he has time to adjust and settle in. All the new smells, sounds and the general excitement can also make the little one tired, so make sure he has a safe place to settle in and sleep when he needs.
Some of the things that you can start with on your puppy’s first day at his new home are,
Now that Christmas is over and you and your family get back to your regular lives and routines, it is time to integrate your puppy into it. It is never too early to help your new puppy learn good habits. The sooner you begin, the lesser time you will spend correcting the bad ones he is likely to pick up without the right guidance.
As you and your puppy settle into your new lives together, there are a few things that you must keep in mind. Be sure that your puppy’s veterinarian visits and vaccinations are up to date. You should also discuss medication for parasite prevention with your vet. Along with this, you and your family will will need to consider things like pet insurance, microchipping and neutering your little boy when he is old enough.
While the first month will be one of many changes for you and your family, this adorable, playful, cuddly, affectionate little being that you brought home to your children for Christmas is sure to win the hearts of everyone he meets. With the right commitment, efforts, and love from you and your family, your new pet is sure to be on his way to many healthy, happy and love-filled holidays with his beloved family!
]]>With all the cheer and merriness, there is a lot to consider when preparing for the holiday season. Make sure to consider your dog when planning for the hustle and bustle of this time of year. Have a happy hound that feels included and comfortable, because the holidays just aren’t the holidays without our furry best friends.
Whether you’re traveling or staying home, try to keep your routine as close to normal as possible. Dogs need consistency to feel comfortable, secure, and more importantly, loved. Remember to feed and walk your dog at the same time as you normally would. This will help ease any stress of having guests over or staying in a strange environment.
One of the best tips for keeping your dog happy for the holidays is to give him plenty of exercise! Make sure you walk your dog daily. You can also play fetch or bring him to a dog park or throw a Frisbee. Not only will this help keep your dog from packing on those extra holiday-treat pounds, but according to WebMD Pets, exercise is one of the best methods for keeping your dog from misbehaving.
Let your dog get some fresh air with your young, energetic guests. This will burn off some of the nervous energy some dogs have, make your dog feel included in the excitement, and keep you in the mix of things with your guests.
Dog walkers are great if you can’t get away from cooking food or if you just have too much to do before guests arrive.
If you’re having guests over to your house, there are ways you can ensure a fun, stress-free experience for your family, friends, and dog!
First, you’ll want to establish rules and let guests know these rules prior to their arrival. One great idea is to send out invites and include a little bio about your dog and some of your expectations for treating and greeting If your dog is nervous, this is a great way to tell guests without feeling rushed to do it when they walk through your door. This also cuts down on the logistical chaos when all of your friends show up at the same time.
When guests arrive, make sure introductions are slow. My Dutch Shepherd is one of the sweetest dogs in the word. But there was one time when we had a guest over, a plumber, to be exact. And our plumber rushed past Fritz without a proper introduction, and to my horror and dismay, Fritz nipped him on the butt. Now, if this had been Chanukah dinner or Christmas morning, it could have ruined the whole day. So, now I’m always careful to let my friends know that Fritz will need to sniff their hands, get a ‘good boy’ pat and treat before they get too far into our home.
If you can, allow your dog to meet guests outside. Dogs tend to be less nervous if they’re not in their home environment. This can also give your dog room to back up or wiggle around.
It’s always a great idea to have treats ready for company to give your pup. This says “Hey! Happy holidays! I’m your friend.” You can put treats around the house in candy bowls. You can even find gourmet treats that fit your holiday décor!
Also, make sure Grandpa or other visitors aren’t giving your pup human food. This can cause your pup to feel bloated or maybe even get sick. And with all the excitement of the time of the year, it’s nearly impossible to monitor how many handouts your dog is eating. Have special dog treats or dog cookies handy, so guests are encouraged to give your pup only ingredients you approve of.
And of course, your guests should be sweet to your dog. Ask guests to use positive feedback and encourage your dog with sweet compliments and head pets.
If your best friend tends to get nervous or reacts to certain behaviors, warn guests ahead of time. It’s easier to say, “My dog gets a bit upset about loud noises or quick movements,” rather than spending the entire worrying about your dog or trying to calm a nervous pup.
Dog-Friendly Guests:
Make sure your dog isn’t too nervous to be a good host, himself. Okay, so maybe your super sweet dog is a little bit neurotic. Whether your dog is shy, active, not-quite-trained-yet, afraid of loud noises, or a senior pup, you have to evaluate if your dog would be better off somewhere quieter or less chaotic.
A crowded house with noise and movement can sometimes even make the cheeriest dog react differently. Consider boarding, day boarding, or letting your pup stay with a relative. There are some great holiday boarding options and pet sitters that would give your dog extra love and attention while in a calmer environment.
If you don’t think your dog needs to board (or you waited too long to book a dog sitter), you can always let your dog stay in a quiet room of his own. Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door that explains that your dog is resting inside so guests don’t bother him.
Christmas trees bring warmth and beauty to your home during the holidays. Yet the concept of an indoor tree is pretty foreign to dogs. My dog barks at our tree for days before he realizes it’s not going anywhere. Here are some dog-friendly tips you’ll want to think of when spreading the Yule-time cheer.
Dog Safety Christmas Tree Checklist:
Traveling can be stressful. Make sure you plan well in advance to keep your pup comfortable.
If you’re going out of town, it’s best to bring your dog. Remember to bring his bed, favorite toys, treats, and plenty of dog food.
But if your dog can’t be your furry travel companion, you’ll want to find a trustworthy dog sitter to stay at your home with your dog. This will help keep your dog’s routine and give him the comfort of his own bed and toys. As a last resort, consider boarding your dog. Most boarders will let you check out the facility before you book. And boarding facilities are often attached to vet clinics, so you know your dog will be in good hands.
When planning for friends and family, remember to keep everyone’s interests in mind. I don’t just mean, putting your dog in the most adorable Christmas dog sweater you can find. Remember to keep your guests happy by introducing them to your lovable dog in a way that will encourage positive socialization for your best friend! And keep your dog’s tail wagging with plenty of treats, encouragement, and exercise. Finally, remember to keep your dog safe with dog-friendly decorations and a well-secured tree.
Happy holidays and enjoy this time of year with your friends, family, and furry best friend!
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