Guidelines for new pet parents

A happy dog is one that is kept active, well trained, well socialised and healthy.

Overview

Pets are for life—from babyhood to old age. That’s how long you are responsible for caring for your pet by providing exercise and training, safe play, a good diet, grooming, and medical care.

They need to be properly trained and socialized to become happy pets. They also need an appropriate diet to help their bones grow. Keep their eating area separate from the toilet area, playing area, and sleeping area. Always ensure that your pet has some form of I.D., like a collar, harness, or leash, plus a microchip.

How to care for your puppy:

Puppy-proofing your home

Dogs use their mouth to investigate their environment so chewing is a normal behaviour. For this reason, it is essential to puppy-proof the home environment so that your puppy does not get sick.

Tips to help keep your puppy safe at home:

How to prevent your puppy from chewing on inappropriate items:

Exercise & Play

Playtime is a great form of exercise and offers many benefits:

It is important to have a set of household rules so that your pet is exposed to consistent training. This will prevent your pet from picking up bad habits. You have to be confident, firm, consistent, and happy around pets.

A happy dog is one that is kept active. The level of activity differs by breed, age, and energy level. High-energy breeds require regular exercise. Low energy breeds require less activity. Playtime changes as dogs get older. Gentle exercise, like walking slowly on a leash or swimming, is ideal for these dogs.

Toys

Toys are a great way to bond with your pet during playtime. They also keep your pet active when it is alone. Toys prevent boredom and keep your pet from chewing on your personal items, like shoes, toys, or books. There are a variety of pet toys and it is important to choose the right one for your pet. In general, the toy should be big enough so that your pet does not accidentally swallow it. It should fit nicely into your pet’s mouth without anything else fitting in there at the same time. Toys that are too small can block an animal’s stomach if swallowed. Toys that are too soft can be chewed up by a pet, also resulting in stomach problems. Avoid throwing sticks or twigs to a dog, they can cause injury to its mouth or stomach.

Training and Socialisation

All dogs should be taught the basics of “come,” “sit,” and “stay”. Training should start as soon as you adopt a pet. A well-trained pet is a happy pet. Owning a happy pet means giving it as many positive experiences as possible, especially from a young age. Puppies should be exposed to all types of people, animals, and environmental experiences to help with socialisation.

Avoid bad behavior from the start:

Socialisation test for puppies:

Playing games, giving your pet toys and petting it every day will help improve socialisation.