Bringing home a furry baby is one of the most wholesome experiences in your life, almost similar to bringing home your baby.
Those small paws, floppy ears, and coming eyes can steal away your heart in seconds. But that’s just the happy part because dogs are more than just cuddles and wagging tails.
Being a pet parent is similar to being a normal parent as it comes with a lot of challenges, and in the early days, you might lose much more sleep.
Although with a little planning and tons of patience and puppy love, this will be one of the most heartwarming journeys of your life.
The First Few Weeks are (NOT) Always Pawsome
If you’re planning to bring a puppy into your life, know that the first few weeks with your new furry baby will almost feel like a rollercoaster.
While it’s genuinely a happy and amazing feeling to have a furry friend in the house, it is also overwhelming.
Puppies need constant affection and attention, and you’ll often know their presence because mostly you’ll find them chewing on your shoes, bumping into little accidents inside the house, and causing sleep disturbances for most nights.
Before welcoming your snuggle partner into the house, it’s a good idea to puppy-proof your space and remove any valuable or dangerous objects that they can reach.
Keep essentials like food bowls, water bowls, crates, chew toys, treats, and a comfy bed ready for them.
Make sure you’re associated with a trusted vet and discuss everything regarding the particulars necessary for your pup’s breed and considerations that you should be making, rather than trusting generic information from here and there.
Steadiness in routine from day one can make your pup feel safe.
Being there to feed them, taking them out for a walk, providing them with potty training from early days, and playing with your pup at least a few times each day will go a long way.
And don’t feel bad about putting your pup in a crate or designated safe space if you need to leave for a short while.
It Gets Ruff When The ‘Puppy Blues’ Come
The phase when a puppy has a lot of energy and no concept of boundaries is generally referred to as the “puppy blues.”
Sleepless nights with sore fingers after being bitten, combined with wet puddles on the floor, can truly make a person wonder if it was a good idea to keep the dog.
But don’t stress out; you’re not the only one with this feeling. Most pet parents come across this feeling, and this, too, does pass.
Puppyhood is a stage, just like childhood, and when guided with time, puppies grow out of it with loads of love.
If the stress gets too much, don’t hesitate to seek help. No! Not from a psychiatrist, we meant a veterinarian, as they can give you the correct advice on training, sleeping patterns, and teething remedies.
Puppy training courses are the other option, and they teach your puppy well but also remind you that every dog’s mom and dad have their highs and lows as well.
If you don’t have the time for training classes, other methods of relief still exist. A few minutes of a break are worth a lot.
Maybe let your dog play with a neighbor, hire a dog walker, or even have a responsible teen look after your puppy for some time.
These little breaks will naturally warm up your mood and provide you with more energy to take on puppy life.
Puppy Love That Completes Your Existence
Raising a puppy is literally an experience filled with joy, messes, laughter, and growth.
It might feel tough at times, but with patience and training, you will emerge with a best friend by your side for life. With every sock chewed up and every bark, you will learn something, and so will your puppy.
Once the puppy stage glides away, the bond is left behind to fill your heart with warmth for years to come.
