Did you know that March 23rd is National Puppy Day? According to Colleen Paige, the founder of National Puppy Day, March 23rd is “a special day to celebrate the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives”. Colleen’s vision is to educate everyone on the many orphaned puppies in need of a good home. She also wants to work to end the horrors of puppy mills by educating people and helping to stop animal cruelty.
In honor of National Puppy Day, Andrea of Paw Up has write an blog about dedicating to the needs of puppies and dogs everywhere. Check this out! Also, don’t forget to support your local animal shelters and do consider adopting a puppy or other animal in need.
YOU SAVE A LIFE
2.7 million dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. Rescue dogs can make incredible transformations when they are adopted into loving homes. There are too many animals and not enough homes. Shelters have been facing a pet overpopulation problem for the last few decades. Some animals are found wandering as strays and some are surrendered by their owners. Most rescue dogs are relinquished for reasons that have nothing to do with behavioral problems, and they are generally quite loving and gentle.
If you adopt a dog, you'll be giving him the gift of new adventures and exploration. Your other animals might actually be grateful to have a new pal, as shelter dogs often get quite a bit of socialization before they're adopted.
GOT A BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE
Choosing rescue dogs means that you won't be supporting inhumane puppy mills. Help us stop the number of abandoned animals. Adopting from a shelter is an act of rescue and love. It is a good deed for you, for the shelter, but especially for the animal who needs you. Dogs at shelters come in all shapes and sizes! When you adopt a rescue dog, you've got a best friend for life.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUPPY
- Family
Keep the size and makeup of your family in mind when choosing a puppy. You will want to make sure your puppy is comfortable around his or her new housemates, no matter who they are.
- Home size
Big dogs need a lot of space. If you have a smaller home, consider a smaller breed that will be comfortable with the limited space.
- Commitment to exercise
Puppies and dogs need exercise daily, but the amount varies by the breed and size. Make sure you give your puppy some time to stretch his legs outside everyday.
- Cost
Can you afford to properly care for your puppy? The cost of food, veterinary visits, grooming and boarding can add up. The average monthly cost can be anywhere from $90-$290.
PUPPY CARE TIPS FOR NEW PARENTS
- Before BringingYour New Puppy Home,
It's important to think of your new puppy as a full-fledged member of the family.
You're entering into a whole new relationship with a living, breathing, very needy, and very loving animal. Your puppy will depend on you for everything for the rest of his life. And because it is just a puppy, then you're in for some challenging times until he's properly trained to co-exist in a home with people (and rules).
- First Days With Your New Friend
You get to pick his name and introduce him to the rest of the family and his new home. Be prepared... some puppies become scared or timid when they re introduced to a whole new environment. To ease the transition and introduce your puppy to his new home and his new family, your best bet is to give your puppy a complete walk-through of your entire house, and some delicious puppy treats, so he can get used to the new smells and spaces. Here is a list of our Paw Up yummy dog snacks series that will have your dog howling for more:
- Paw up Long-lasting Dog Treats
- Paw up Rawhide-free Dog Treat
- Paw up Single Ingredient Dog Treat
- Paw up Grain Free Dog Treat
- Paw up Vegan Dog Treat
- Getting To Know Your puppy Better
If you're like most people, a new puppy means you now have lots of puppy questions. This is especially true if you rescued a mixed breed puppy where you will know very little about your puppy's heritage and health, among other things. Your first step should be to take your puppy to the vet. Veterinarians are a wealth of information! They can give you a good idea of your puppy's true breed, his current health, the potential for future health issues (based on his genetic makeup).
