PUP'S PARENTING

It's never a bad idea to welcome a new furry family member into your home; it's never a time to pack your belongings. With over a million dogs in shelters across India, adopting a four-legged pet is certainly karma positive. If you're adopting a puppy, though, there are a lot of things to anticipate, as well as things to be careful of.

The Paw-some team!  compiled a list of the greatest recommendations from our pet sitters and owners across the country. We'd like to share this piece of wisdom with our clients so they know they're not alone and that everything works out in the end!

Tip #1: Pay attention to your dog's degree of excitement. As pups learn and mature, helping them stay calm or cool down when they become excited will save them a lot of headaches.

Zoomies occur in all pets, as we've all witnessed. They are so frantic and ecstatic that they don't know what to do with themselves. We've observed dogs slam into walls and cause holes on several occasions. Some pets are known to knock objects over and run small children over. This can be quite aggravating for both you and your pet.

Enrichment toys, or "distraction toys" as some refer to them, are excellent for re-directing your pet's interest and calming them down. They're tools that can be used to teach our pets what to do when they become overly excited. Lick mats and a treat dispenser are two of our favorites. When your dog is feeling overwhelmed, pull these out and they'll be ready to go in about 15 minutes.

Tip #2: Shit happens... your pup can poop, no matter where you are!

We've all been in that situation... We're out on a stroll or just walking from the car to the office when our dog decides to poop where we don't want them to. To be responsible for our pets, we're racing to find a Kroger bag or poop-bag alternative. What have we discovered? Always bring a bag with you when you go!

Make it easy to keep poop bags with you no matter where you go by attaching it to your pet's leash or harness. Just remember to refill it!

Tip #3 – Be prepared for anything when it comes to your pet... We have a habit of over-preparing.

Your dog will get their head stuck in the cat door, eat from the garbage can more than once, and nothing will go as planned. After that stroll in the woods, do you have a brush to brush the burrs out of their fur? Do you have enough snacks to keep them occupied during that unexpectedly long Zoom meeting? Have you purchased a garbage can with a lid?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions above, you have a problem. It's usually a good idea to over-prepare for your pet's antics, especially if you're out in public. Your dog, like babies, may require their own bag. Many dog parents have resorted to having items available in multiple locations. At work, they keep it in their desk drawers.

#It will take some time for your dog to learn their lesson, but you can avoid it by being a prepared and observant dog parent!