Caring for small breed puppies
Adopting a puppy for you and your family is a delicate aspect that needs to be properly analyzed to ensure yourself is a good decision to make. Puppies are cute and charming, but they also need attention and time, proper education as well as regular budget for their food and health checks and issues.
If you have already searched for
small breed puppies for sale, you probably know they are the most suitable for almost any type of environment, especially for apartments as they don’t need too much space and exercise to be in a good shape. We have made a list of specific aspects you should reflect before taking a new puppy home, as your companion.
Reasons to adopt a small breed puppy
Think about why you want to adopt a puppy: it is about your need to replace another pet that you have lost or you’ll be the first time owner of a gorgeous puppy? A dog changes your life completely for at least 10 years. A small dog breed life span is between 10 to 15 years and he needs constant care during this period.
Attention and time
Depending on the breed, puppies can be attention needy and demanding, so you won’t have the possibility to ignore him when you are busy or tired. Furthermore, you’ll have to feed him constantly, make sure you offer him fresh clean water. Also, you have to get him exercised, both mentally and physically in order to keep him healthy and to avoid bad behavior.
Budget
Caring for a puppy involves money to feed him and pay all the necessary vet checks, vaccinations, emergency care and specific vet actions such as spaying or neutering him as well as training classes.
There are also lots of things that you should buy such as dog bowls, blankets, toys, leads, micro chipping and dog cage and save some money for boarding kennels when you go on holidays. You may need a pet insurance if you want to have vet bills covered.
Training
Puppies need to be well trained and socialized during puppyhood to become a well-rounded dog at maturity and to avoid destructive behaviors.
Living conditions
If you are living in a rented house, you should ensure you are allowed to live with a pet and always take into account the necessity to move. You’ll have to find a place where pets are allowed, so it can become difficult for you to find a new home.
A small dog breed is a great option if you live in a small apartment as he won’t need lots of space and high activity level to be happy. Choose a breed that suits your home environment.
Lifestyle and responsibilities
Think about your lifestyle and the ways you use to spend your free time. If you are likely to travel a lot or if your job is very demanding and involves being away from home overnight, think twice before adopting a puppy. Your holidays are periods that need special care for your dog. You’ll have to let him with reliable persons, take him to boarding kennels or apply for pet-sitting service so your dog can stay at home.
Be aware that a dog involves responsibility such as looking after him the way he needs, taking him to vet when needed and periodically for regular health checks, picking up any mess he makes in public spaces etc.
Tips to handle the first days with your puppy
If you have decided upon the breed and already moved forward to getting your puppy, get a crate to make housetraining easier.
Let your pup sleep in your bedroom at least for the first few nights to avoid offering him a scary experience.
Use baby gates to keep him out of places you don’t want him to have access and supervise him carefully. When you cannot supervise him, put him in a small area and arrange it with a bed and pee pads.
Pick a potty spot in a certain area and take him directly there when it’s potty time. Take him outside after each meal to eliminate and to choose his own potty area.
It is useful to set a daily routine to make the housetraining easier. If you have the possibility to enroll him to puppy classes, your pup will learn quickly basic commands and will socialize with other puppies and people.
Set common rules regarding puppy care with the entire family and don’t encourage bad behaviors. Make time to play training games and get him properly exercised on a regular basis.
Start grooming early to get him accustomed. Expose him to various experiences to be properly socialized. Make sure you introduce new experiences slowly and avoid to increase his fears and get him overwhelmed. Provide him proper toys and baby carrots to chew.
Always reward good behavior. Don’t take him to dogs’ park until he is not vaccinated against various diseases.
Feed him 3 meals a day and don’t leave the food to eat whenever he wants.
Pick up anything you don’t want to be destroyed by chewing up.
Take your pup to vet to install a microchip. If he gets lost, you’ll find him easier.
Separate him from you, take him in his crate or room so you can avoid separation anxiety.
Treat him gently even if he bites you when he is a puppy. Do not yell at him, smack him or make any other action to punish him. Biting or chewing you is not a sign of aggression.
Offer him treats when taking him to the vet in order to make it a friendly environment and experience for him.
Teach him to walk nice on leash so to avoid bad leash manners at adulthood.
Enjoy every moment you spend with your puppy and take as many photos as possible as puppyhood won’t last too much!
This is a collaborative post.
