Many Australians are now welcoming a new dog or puppy into their home. You should already be familiar with the basics of pet care and what your puppy needs. But we would like to share a few tips that will help you make your new dog happy and safe in its new home.

Remember that buying a dog should not be impulsive. Dogs live up to 15 years or more, so you should make sure you’ve considered all the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.

Your local RSPCA will be happy to assist you in finding the right companion for your family once you decide to adopt a dog.

Living Space

Check to make sure your dog won’t accidentally step on anything dangerous. Make sure your dog can’t accidentally paw anything harmful.

Toilet Training

Toilet training is a process that takes patience and time but is essential for a harmonious and happy household. RSPCA recommends rewarding-based training to effectively toilet-train your puppy. Give your dog lots of chances to use the toilet. Reward them for doing so as often as you can. Our Knowledgebase has a complete article about how to toilet-train your dog or puppy. It’s a MUST READ.

Vet care

RSPCA dogs are desexed, vaccinated, and have been vaccinated. Desexing can help prevent unwanted pregnancy, and it may also improve your dog’s health and behavior. You can also ask your vet about future vaccinations. It would be best if you always kept in mind that puppies are susceptible to a variety of infectious diseases. Some can be deadly, such as Parvovirus. Your puppy should receive their entire vaccination course. This is important for both their health and because many daycares and boarding kennels will not accept animals that aren’t up-to-date with their vaccinations.

You can also ask your vet about flea treatments, wormings, and other essentials.

Training

Socialization and training are important and should begin when your dog is a puppy. (The ‘critical period of socialization’ for dogs is between 3 and 17 weeks old). Give your dog plenty of socialization opportunities and expose them to a variety of environments. If you can, enroll him in puppy school.

Exercise

Your dog will need exercise throughout its life. Walking is often your dog’s favorite activity, and it is also a time to bond with him. If you are in an area that is under lockdown, follow the government’s advice and regulations and, if necessary, stay within the designated area. Try to take your dog on a new route occasionally if you’re restricted to a specific location.

And More…

provides some additional tips in our Knowledgebase.

Congratulations to you and your new puppy/dog. We wish you both the best. If you adopted from an animal shelter, like the RSPCA, we thank you for helping us give thousands of animals another chance.