Bringing a puppy home is new and exciting; however, it is a lot of work as well. This puppy has likely been with its mom and all of his or her other siblings up until this point, so being alone will likely be quite the adjustment. Thankfully, there are certain things that you can do to make this transition easier on both of you. This will ensure a happy puppy and a happy owner. This article will discuss 3 tips for caring for a new puppy. 

Start By Potty Training On Pads

Most pet owners want their dog to be house trained as soon as possible. A great way to start the process of potty training is to use training pads. These are pads that are made of gauze that is placed on top of blue plastic. You can have these pads placed in a couple areas of your home, such as your bathroom and laundry room. Each time your puppy needs to go to the bathroom, you will simply take them to their training pad. This will create an odor on the pad that alerts your puppy to the fact that this is where they need to use the restroom. Once they have mastered going to the bathroom on the pad, you can then take the pad outside and slowly train them to use the bathroom outdoors. 

Mix Water In With Their Dog Food

Because your puppy is still going to have a lot of baby teeth, it is important that you add some water in with their hard dog food. This makes it much easier for them to chew the food and avoids any issues with choking or harming their teeth. Covering the dog food with water, and then allowing it to soften the food for a few minutes before serving, is the best way to go. Also, monitor the amount of food that you are giving your puppy and how much they are actually eating. This can help you to see if they are eating the proper amounts each day. You can also talk with a professional, like Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital, for more information on your dog's everyday needs.  

Put Them In A Small, Safe Area When You Are Away

If you need to leave your puppy, it is important that you don't give them free rein of the house. This cannot only cause damage to your home, but your puppy could be harmed as well. Leaving them in an enclosed area, such as their crate or a small room, is the best way to ensure that they are safe and kept out of trouble while you are away. However, if you choose to keep them in a small room, ensure that there is nothing in the room that could be a potential hazard.