Tips for raising a puppy (II)

How to feed a puppy

All of your pet's behaviors as you train them will depend on their learning ability. Fortunately, puppies are able to learn very quickly. However, their diet depends on you, so we want to emphasize some warnings about feeding your puppy:

• - We said that a puppy should have a fixed meal routine, but it is also good for them to always eat in the same place and using familiar bowls.
• - Always opt for food specifically for puppies. They have usually been drinking breast milk for several weeks, and therefore their digestive system needs to get used to it. Puppy food is more digestible and prepared for them.
• - The quantities depend on their own development, and they also grow very quickly, but you should be the one to establish the quantities. You should start according to the manufacturer's guidelines for dry food, then add based on their weight. If you notice your dog is still hungry, talk to your vet. In general, dogs are very gluttonous. If they ask you for your food, don't think they are hungry; they just love to snack all the time.
• - As for frequency, during the first two months, they can eat up to 5 times, although in very small quantities. Up to 6 months, they should eat 3-4 times a day. Beyond 6 months, you can give them 1 to 3 times a day. Our recommendation is if you can, divide it into 3 times a day.
• - Chocolate, garlic, onion, avocado, and some fruits like grapes are very toxic to dogs, especially puppies. In general, we recommend that you avoid letting them eat any food you are going to eat yourself.
• - Between 12 and 14 months, a small dog stops being a puppy. That will be the time to introduce adult pet food into their diet. When you introduce a new dry food, the change should always be gradual. Start by mixing small quantities of the new and old dry food at each meal, until eventually only the new dry food remains, over about a week.

What I need to care for and protect my puppy

Puppies don't need a lot of accessories; in fact, what they will want most is simply for you to be with them. In any case, you will need a collar or harness and a leash for your first walks, as well as a comfortable bed adapted to their size and a resting place. If you also want to protect them from the cold during their first few weeks, you can opt for sweaters and coats for small dogs, or blankets for dogs. You will also need a few toys so they don't chew on your furniture legs.

Can I bathe my puppy?

The first baths must be a pleasant experience so that as an adult they don't associate it with something bad: there are dogs that love to bathe in the beach, or rivers and swamps, but not so much the bathing moment itself.

There are a good number of specific products for bathing your puppy, depending on the type of hair they have: long, short, wiry, solid color, white, black, brown... These shampoos have a special pH for dog skin, which is different from ours.

At tQel, you will find many of the accessories your puppy needs, with an unmistakable style and the usual quality of tQel products, because we want to be part of your friendship and accompany you for a long time.

We hope this post with tips for training your puppy has been helpful.

See you in the next post.