New Year New Dog

It goes without saying that the Happy Dog team and Dog Buddy have a common goal – to make sure our dogs across the UK are well cared for in every way. So, if you are hoping that Santa brings you a new friend for Christmas here are some top tips from the Happy Dog team to welcome your new friend and make him part of your family!

HOUSE TRAINING

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges faced with new dog owners is getting your bundle of fluff to realise that your expensive woollen rug is not his toilet! As seasoned dog owners we have found that the best way to achieve this is consistency and firmness. A reputable breeder will have already laid down the basics with your puppy and it is important that you just keep going until the accidents are no more. As with children, it takes different dogs differing amounts of time to get to grasps with this but believe us, it is all worth it in the end!

TRAINING ON WALKS

Walking with your dog is one of the most enjoyable elements of dog ownership and therefore it is important to get your dog into good walking habits from a very early age. Puppies should only be walked for small amounts of time whilst they are growing, but even during this time you can start to instil walk ‘rules’ such as walking to heel, not pulling on the lead, being sociable with other dogs and learning to respond to your commands both on and off lead.

HOUSE RULES

Dogs are definitely part of our families and which parts of your home they call their own is purely down to personal choice. However, to avoid confusion and so your dog knows what is expected from them, consistency from the beginning is essential. If upstairs is out of bounds ensure your dog knows this. If lying on the sofa when you are out of the room is not acceptable – make sure they are under no illusion.

HOLIDAY CARE

There will be times when you can’t be there for your dog due to work and family commitments. And, whilst we recognise that life does get in the way sometimes, it is also worth noting that dogs do need company and can become grumpy, withdrawn and destructive without the interaction of their humans. This is where people like ‘Dog Buddy’ come in – helping out with day and holiday care and giving your dog the warmth, comfort and interaction of a second family.

VETS AND VACCINATIONS

Register your dog with a vet straight away and make sure that you take professional advice on its health care. Flea, worm and vaccinations need to be done on an agreed basis and it is well worth maintaining this throughout your dog’s life to ensure they enjoy good health.

INSURANCE

Vet’s bills can be incredibly expensive and should your dog have an accident, fall ill or develop a ‘for life’ condition you may find that a monthly premium pales into insignificance in comparison to the potential amount a vet’s bill may incur. Good research into the market is advised as policies can wildly differ in cost and cover.

PUPPY PREPARATION

Choose a name and choose it wisely. You’ll be calling it in the park for years to come.

Ensure it has a place in your house to call home – a refuge for peace and quiet and somewhere it knows is his bed.

Speak to your breeder and ensure you have the same food available for your puppy.

Be prepared in terms of cleaning materials – you may need quite a lot.

Be excited, be happy and be patient  but above all enjoy all the elements of dog ownership – investing time and effort as a puppy will pay dividends in the long run.

  The Happy Dog Team