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It's really important to be prepared
Adding a new addition to the family is a big commitment
Inviting a new dog or puppy into your family is always exciting. If you’re embarking on the journey to dog ownership for the first time, you will more than likely have many questions, and certainly researching before choosing your fur-ever friend and doing your homework first will help you make a great match. Understanding how to be a responsible dog owner will allow you and your new dog to share many years of happy trusting companionship.

Dog Bed its own space
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You may just think that dog beds serve as a place for your pet to sleep. But the fact of the matter is that they yield many psychological and physical benefits for the dog, as well as for its owner. To begin with, a dog bed provides your pet with a cosy space that is all their own. Whilst dogs are naturally sociable and for most of the day, only want to be petted and cared for by their owners, they still need some space and time alone. Having a peaceful corner in the house will give the dog a chance to play with their toys, rest their head or just relax and watch the world go by.

Clean bowls after use
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Plastic dog bowls accumulate bacteria more quickly, but ceramic dog bowls tend to have more harmful bacteria like E.coli and MRSA. What the study highlights is the importance of cleaning your dog’s bowl like you would clean your own dishes. With regular cleaning, you can prevent the growth of bacteria and keep your pup healthy and hydrated.

Vaccinations
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Puppies are normally safe from most infections for the first few weeks of their lives thanks to the immunity passed on to them through their mother’s milk. However, they will normally need to start vaccinations between the ages of six to nine weeks and several initial injections are required, followed by regular boosters which will need to be kept up to date for the rest of your dog’s life in order to make sure your dog is truly safe and covered. This could also be followed up by regular boosters. Vaccinations protect pets from diseases that remain a high risk and can kill, so remember pets need vets.

Routine is important
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Why is a routine so important for dogs? If dogs are used to the same things happening at the same time each day, they can get worried by change. A routine means that they can predict events, which is so important for their wellbeing and helps to avoid them feeling anxious.

Bonding time
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The importance of a bond with your dog can never be overestimated; a strong bond allows your dog to feel comfortable and safe around you, which means they'll more often listen to given commands.

Creating a calming environment
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Generally speaking, a calming, positive environment for your dog is one free of fear, stress and anxiety, where your dog has all of their basic needs met, and at the same time feels mentally and physically stimulated. They should be able to express natural behaviours, confidently and without fear.

Playtime & Exercise
It's important that your dog has regular exercise for the following reasons first it prevents premature aging also helps to maintain strong bones and improves insulin health and its metabolism while pumping toxins out of the body.

Toilet Training
Teaching a puppy when and where they can relieve themselves is a demanding task with it involving a lot of cleaning and walking around before your pup learns the appropriate way of doing everything correctly. This is a very good reason why you need to stick to a schedule and doing so will come to be a natural routine for you and your dog and will finally become second nature it just requires extra patience beforehand.

Comfort them
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There are many different conceptions about comforting your dog during times when it is feeling unsure of its surroundings, experiencing stress or anxiety, but in my opinion, it's important to do so as I believe it builds trust just as you would comfort your child in such times of need.

Bedtime routine
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Training your pup to get into a nightly sleep routine at a young age will allow you to get the sleep your body requires. Not only will it benefit you, but the routine will also help your dog to maintain regularity throughout its life.

Puppy proofing tips
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Hide electrical cords with the help of wrap cords
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Cover your rubbish so you don't come home to this mess or worse having to take your dog to the vet with suspected food poisoning. ​
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Don't have plants/flowers that are poisonous to dogs
Angel’s Trumpet, Aloe Vera (Succulent) Autumn Crocus* Avocados, Azalea*
Baby’s Breath, Begonia, Calla Lily, Chrysanthemum, Citronella, Daffodil, Day Lily
Easter Lily, Elephant’s Ear, Euphorbias (Succulent) Foxglove* Garlic, Geranium
Hyacinth* Grapes Hydrangea* Indian Rubber Tree (aka Weeping Fig Tree)
Jade (Succulent) Japanese Pieris* Japanese Rubber Plant (aka Jade Plant)
Kalanchoes (Succulent) Larkspur, Lily of the Valley* Lupine, Monkshood*
Morning Glory, Onions, Peonie, Rhododendron* Rhubarb (leaves) Sago Palm,
Shamrock Plants, Silver Dollar (Succulent) Snake Plants, Tiger Lily,
Tomato Plants (leaves and green tomatoes) Tulip, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Yew* Yucca Plants.
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Keep potential choking hazard objects out of the way
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Child safety locks could come in handy
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Check for holes in your fence and make sure its secure
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comment below if you have any other suggestions





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