Raising and Grooming a New Puppy

smiling Pomeranian
Tips and Tricks To Make Sure Your Dog Is Happy and Healthy
October 1, 2018
puppy bulldog picture for dog groomers
Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2018
November 1, 2018
smiling Pomeranian
Tips and Tricks To Make Sure Your Dog Is Happy and Healthy
October 1, 2018
puppy bulldog picture for dog groomers
Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2018
November 1, 2018

We’re not going to lie to you; adopting or buying a new puppy is a lot of work. It is a serious commitment that is downright life-changing. If you love puppies like we love puppies it is completely worth it; however, there are many things that you need to do to ensure that your new pup is living a happy and healthy life. Daily walks, regular visits to the vet, puppy grooming, leash training, healthy diets, and behavioral training are just a few of the items on the checklist. If you raise your dog right, your puppy will turn into a friendly, loyal companion. If you raise your dog wrong, you can expect a lot of behavioral and health issues, such as aggression, barking, chewing up furniture, malnutrition, and obesity.

These problems can go on to impact your life and the life of your puppy. Your new family member deserves the best life possible; this is why building great habits right from the start are so important to the longevity of your new best friend.

Five Tips for Puppy Grooming

  1. Make Regular Visits to the Veterinarian

Regular check-ups are vital if you want to maintain and keep your pets’ health in check. How often you go to the vet usually depends on their age, medical history, pre-existing conditions, breed, and size. Don’t wait until your dog is sick to go to the vet. Taking preventative measures like vaccinations and deworming can help extend their life. Keeping them well-groomed and hygenic can prevent infection and fungal growth in the fur. Here is a brief schedule:

  • 0-4 months: Every 3 weeks. Vaccinations for rabies, distember, lyme disease, and parvo are recommended.
  • 4-12 months: Every 2-3 months. Heartworm and flea prevention and spaying/neutering.
  • 1-7 years: Your dog is considered an adult and should get regular booster shots.
  • 7+ years: Most dogs are considered seniors at this point and will need extra care. Take your dog to the vet at least twice yearly.
  1. Exercise

Dogs need a lot of exercise. No matter what age or breed your dog is, you need to make sure they are getting the proper amount. Obviously, certain breeds have more energy than others, so make sure to bring home a breed that suits your lifestyle. A husky will require more exercise than a french bulldog, so keep that in mind when shopping around for breeds. A good rule of thumb would be 3-4 30 minute walks every day. This gives them the right amount of exercise and can lend to their overall health in the long run. If you live in a hot climate, try not to walk your dog in the middle of the day, as this could cause heatstroke.

  1. Feed your Puppy a Healthy Diet

There are quite a few health problems in dogs that mirror the world of health problems in humans. Two of these are nutrient deficieny and obesity. It’s an easy fix in both populations, but it can be easy to slip up or turn a blind eye. Avoid excessive treats, eat quality food and control the portions. Sounds like advice we’ve all heard before.

Investing in a high-quality dog food with a high percentage of meat is really all you have to do. As there is not enough clinical evidence for us to advise an organic or raw-meat diet, a high-quality dog food should do just fine. Make sure to not keep the food out, as puppies should be fed 3-4 times per day, whereas adult dogs should be fed just twice.

One last note: avoid feeding your dog certain human foods that can be detrimental to your dog’s health. There is a reason why people don’t feed dogs chocolate and other food items. Research and educate yourself about what foods are ok for dogs to eat.

  1. Training is Essential

Physical health is important, but just like humans, mental health and proper behavior is important in dogs as well. Science has shown that dogs can smell a human’s emotion based on their sweat alone. Dogs are more willing to interact with a human that is friendly and not fearful, but not for the reasons we originally thought. Different hormones are released into the sweat when fearful or happy and dogs can pick up on this. Therefore, your own mental health plays a rather large role in the happiness of your puppy.

Training and socialization should start as early as possible. A well-trained dog is more engaged with people and their surroundings and grows bored not as easily. Happy and healthy dogs are also triggered less by fearful humans. A well-trained dog is much safer around other people and will not get you into dangerous situations, such as running into traffic or around a parking lot.

  1. Puppy Grooming is Important

Taking your pet to regular grooming appointments doesn’t just keep him/her pretty, it keeps them healthy and happy. Regular grooming and bathing helps maintain a healthy coat and skin and will also help them look and smell great! It’s a win-win for you and your dog. Shiny, healthy and properly brushed coats will shed less and regularly trimmed nails help reinforce healthy foot structure and posture while reducing the risk of infection.

As an added bonus, regular appointments can help in the early detection of issues such as ear or skin infection, skin cancer, tooth decay and more. At Troy’s Trims & Treats, we provide dog grooming services in Bergen County, NJ in our state of the art facility. Conveniently located in Englewood, New Jersey, we offer Jacuizzi style bathing, hand fluff drying, humane pet handling, and the utmost respect for your best friend.

Puppy Grooming in NJ

We hope that this article helped you on your journey as a new puppy owner. If you have any questions about owning a new puppy, or your wish to book an appointment, call us at 201.871.8484 or contact us online today!

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