Is there seriously anything better than puppies?
They're ridiculously cute, full of curiosity, and eager to live a Zesty life. So... basically perfect? No wonder why everyone wants one!
For puppy parents, there's no greater joy than being there for every first of your bestie's new life. That's why we're here to make your pup-parenting journey easier with five tips to prepare you for your furry bundle of joy.
Let Them Be a "Momma's Pup"
We know you can't wait to parade your precious puppy around to all your loved ones... and who can blame you? It's practically a crime to keep all that cuteness to yourself!
However, the best course of action is to let your puppy spend the first few weeks (or even months) of life around their mother, if possible.
When puppies are born, handling by humans should be kept to a minimum so that their mother can feed and nurture their puppies the old-fashioned way. The mother’s first milk, colostrum, is a great way to get your little one ready to grow up healthy and happy. Depending on the scenario, you can also try our veterinarian-formulated Puppy Milk Replacer as another yummy option!
If you're getting your fur-baby from an experienced breeder, they will likely give you a heads-up about this whole process. However, if your puppy's mother isn't in the picture for whatever reason, we suggest visiting a veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pup.
Spark Their Curiosity... But Slowly
After about 3-4 weeks, your puppy's eyes and ears will be open and ready to take in all the sights and sounds of life. Yes!
But, here's the thing.
Although this phase is super exciting for us hoomans, it can be kind of overwhelming for our fur-babies.
Think about it... what if you used your eyes and ears for the first time today? Imagine how strange it would feel to observe colors, sounds, people, buildings, and sunshine? Sensory overload!
That's why it's best to take things slow with your puppy. Start with simple little tours around your home, one room at a time. Let them look, listen, and sniff around to help them get acquainted with their surroundings at a comfortable pace.
Puppy-Proof Your Living Space
As your puppy becomes (slightly) more self-sufficient and adventurous, that's your cue to make your home puppy-proof before they stick their snouts in places it doesn't belong.
Whether it’s shoes, cords, TV remotes, or decor, your puppy is going to love investigating everything around your house... to a fault! So, we strongly suggest storing your important items in bins, high shelves, cabinets, or other hard-to-reach places.
This might seem like an obvious tip, but trust us. Sometimes, the items you least expect are the most fascinating to a pup. So, prepare well and you (and your favorite pair of socks) will be glad you prepped early.
Have Puppy Supplements at the Ready
As a puppy parent, you don't just hope your dog grows up healthy. You're the type that goes the extra mile! That's why it's a great idea to introduce your fur-baby to supplements that are specially made for puppies.
Whether it's for their immune system, calming support, or 8-in-1 multifunctional goodness, our tail-waggingly tasty soft chews help puppies live as Zesty as can be.
And to answer the question you're probably wondering... yes! Our soft chews are made for tiny mouths to handle. Click here to learn more about them. Just keep an eye on them when they try them out to make sure it's smooth sailing.
When you're ready to train your pup to learn commands or cool new tricks, you can also check out our mouthwatering All-in-One Training Bites! These chewables include all sorts of pawsome ingredients that support your dog's everyday health while keeping them on their Zest behavior.
Observe Their Paw-sonality
Speaking of behavior, the puppy stage is a very formative time for your pup's personality and demeanor.
The more your pup interacts with you, their litter, their mother, and their surroundings, the more traits and behaviors that will take shape. And that's not even counting the traits and behaviors they may pick up based on their breed!
Here's some behavioral questions to consider while observing your puppy:
- Are they social with their litter? (if applicable)
- How much hooman interaction do they like?
- What are their energy levels like so far?
- Are they developing dominant traits?
- What's their reaction to loud sounds?
- Are they touchy about being handled?
- Do they seem attentive and trainable?
Whether your puppy becomes a social butterfly or a cool solo artist, keep an eye on those factors to help you understand your puppy's unique needs as they grow up.
Pup, Pup, and Away!
We hope this has been a helpful guide to get you ready for your pup's life. But... our support doesn't just stop here!
If you’d like to learn more about our collection of puppy products, you can also reach out to us directly at 1-800-738-0661 or bark@zestypaws.com.
Also, we’re always interested in your stories and photos of your besties living their Zestiest lives! Go ahead and share them with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest using #ZestyPaws.
