Having a new puppy is a lot of fun. They are so cute and cuddly. Help your child know that raising a puppy is also a big responsibility.
Bringing Puppy Home
Coming to a new home can be scary for a new puppy. He is used to being cared for by his own mother, and now that he is separated from her, he is feeling lonely. What are some ways you can make your new puppy feel better?
- Plan to get your new puppy on a day that you can be home with him all day. This way he will get used to you and feel more comfortable that he is not alone.
- Have some toys ready to play with when you get home. This will make your puppy feel happy.
- Make sure your puppy has food and water already at your house before he comes home with you. This way when he is ready to eat and drink, it will be there. Until you start a solid feeding routine, your puppy will not know how to tell you he is hungry.
- The first few nights will be hard for you and your puppy because he will cry. He misses his mother and is not used to a new routine yet. The best thing to do is let him cry for a few nights, and once he is used to his new routine, the crying will stop. Sometimes having a clock in the puppy's bed helps him feel better because it sounds like the beating of his mother's heart.
- Get helpful tips on crate-training your puppy on Suite101.
Taking Puppy to the Vets
Keeping your new puppy healthy is very important. You want him to grow to be strong and playful. What do you need to do to ensure that your puppy will be healthy?
- Set up an appointment with a veterinarian right away. The vet will let you know when the puppy needs shots and can give you some great advice on choosing food that is healthy.
- Ask the vet questions that you have, so you are sure you know you are doing things right to take care of your puppy. They are happy to answer your questions for you.
- Listen to the advice that your vet gives you. She is the expert on puppies, and while reading books is very helpful, it is always a good idea to have an actual person to talk to about issues that arise.
Safety Measures for Puppy
Your puppy is very curious about his new world. He will find ways to get into trouble. You must be ready to use these opportunities to train your puppy to keep him safe. What can you do?
- Give your puppy a safe, fenced in area in the yard to play in. This way you will know that he has boundaries and will not run away.
- Your puppy will want to put things in his mouth, especially while teething. Keep small objects off floors and out of reach. This way your puppy will not choke on something that he has swallowed.
- When bored, puppies like to dig and howl. To avoid this from happening, do not leave your puppy outside by himself too long. Give him lots of affection and attention.
- Learn great ways to house train your puppy on Suite101.
Homemade Puppy Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup rye flour
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Directions:
- Combine whole wheat flour, rye flour and wheat germ for the healthy base of the biscuits in a mixing bowl.
- Add rolled oats and yellow cornmeal for a crunchy texture.
- Add chicken broth and canola oil and whisk all ingredients together.
- Roll out the dough and cut into shapes, if you like (small cookie cutters work well).
- Bake biscuits at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, checking to see that the biscuits are hard, but not burnt.
Ball on a String - Homemade Dog Toy
Materials:
- 9 feet of rope
- Can of 3 tennis balls
Directions:
This project needs to be done with adult supervision.
- Place one tennis ball in a clamp or vise.
- Use a drill with a large drill bit to drill a hole through the tennis ball (one hole on each side).
- Thread the rope through the holes.
- Tie a simple knot very near the ball.
- Knot or burn the ends of the rope to prevent fraying.
- Tie a second knot near the ends of the rope.
Have fun playing Puppy BINGO with the cards below. To print, simply click on each image, right click on the image, and select Print from the list of options. Have fun with your new puppy!
The copyright of the article How to Raise a Puppy in Kids Activities is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish How to Raise a Puppy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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