Up until recently, the act of puppies pricking up their ears to human voices was simply cute. Now we know that it’s actually a form of communication between humans and their new pups. It’s not the sort of language that can be learned, however. Puppy-talk comes naturally to humans and puppies (but not adult dogs).
People are often told that it’s not a good idea to give puppies or kittens as gifts. Animals aren’t commodities. There is the very genuine concern that those ‘gifts’ stop being wanted as soon as they stop being cute or some undesirable behavior creeps into the mix. Come April and May, shelters are inundated with teenage dogs who were much loved over Christmas and then became a handful. Having said that, however, many puppies who are given as Christmas presents end up living long, happy lives with families who love them to distraction.
Many dogs love water, from romping in mud puddles to swimming in the pool, but some dogs are afraid of water, sometimes to the extent that they won’t walk on wet grass. Paying attention to how your puppy initially responds to water is very important because if there is any indication of fear, you need to ensure you don’t put any pressure on your pup to ‘get over it’. Always be encouraging, understanding, and patient when training your puppy to swim and help her feel safe at all times.
Puppy school is arguably your most important responsibility as a new pup parent and is without doubt the best thing you can do for you and your puppy. By enrolling your puppy in a reputable training school, you’ll provide her with the basic tools she needs to grow into a well-behaved, sociable dog who will make your heart swell with pride and joy.
Caring for your puppy’s health
Bringing your puppy home for the first time is a brilliant feeling; there’s the excitement, the anticipation, the trepidation and, of course, the love. The trepidation is justified because raising a puppy is a huge responsibility and maintaining puppy health is not joke.
Getting a new puppy is a big responsibility; it’s much like bringing home a new baby except babies aren’t as cute. Puppies are vulnerable as babies, so you have to take care of your puppy in much the same way as you would an infant and you should have similar expectations regarding their development.