Ultimate New Home Guide: Puppy's Pitfalls Avoidance for

⒈ Beware of Bathing! Repeat: Do not bathe, do not bathe, do not bathe! This is crucial!

Reason being, when a puppy leaves its mother and siblings, and enters a completely unfamiliar environment, it's bound to experience some level of stress. This includes, but is not limited to, long or shortdistance travel (even a short move), temperature changes, shifts in food and water quality (puppies can also suffer from "culture shock"), and changes in psychological state, all of which can weaken a dog's immune system physically. During this time, if you decide to bathe your dog because you think it's dirty or smelly, it's a very poor choice. This can drastically increase your dog's health risks, potentially leading to colds, fevers, and even other complications.

⒉ Avoid Feeding on a Whim.

Puppies have relatively fragile digestive systems. Upon arriving in a new home, it's generally recommended to let them acclimate to their new surroundings. After about two hours, offer them a small amount of water (preferably cool boiled water or mineral water; warm boiled water is also acceptable), and then, an hour later, give them a small amount of food. It's best to soak the kibble in warm water, but never use boiling water, as it can destroy the nutritional value of the kibble. (When choosing kibble, it's advisable to purchase from a physical store, as there are many fake or toxic options on platforms like Taobao. Don't be deceived by flagship stores.)

Be cautious of overfeeding during the initial phase in a new environment.

Simply put, puppies don't know when they're full. They'll eat whenever food is available. If they overeat and can't digest it properly, they're prone to diarrhea. So, as a puppy owner, don't give in to the temptation to keep feeding them because you think they're not full. This can backfire and have severe consequences.

⒊ Limit Interaction with Your Puppy.

As a new pet owner, it's natural to be overjoyed when you bring your little bundle of joy home and can't stop hugging and playing with them. However, I must inform you that this isn't the best approach for your puppy.

Referencing the first point, puppies will experience some level of stress when they arrive in a new home. The best way to help them is to let them adjust to their environment gradually. Appropriate interaction can aid in their adaptation, but excessive play and interaction can keep them in a state of excitement, which can later lead to a drop in their resistance. Puppies need plenty of sleep, and a stable sleeping environment is crucial for them to better adapt to their new surroundings.

Some pet owners might say that their dogs grew up just fine without paying attention to these things. However, I must emphasize that every dog is an individual with varying constitutions. While 9 out of 10 dogs might be fine, you might just be the unlucky one with the 10th. So, let's try to take care of them as safely as possible.

⒋ Be Mindful of Temperature Changes in the Environment.

Dogs typically have a body temperature about 1° higher than humans. Upon moving to a new home, it's not advisable to expose your dog to either excessively high or low temperatures. Aim for a comfortable environment.

For example, if your dog is used to a temperature of 15° and you suddenly place them in a 25° environment, it will make it harder for them to adapt. Conversely, if their usual temperature is 15° and you suddenly expose them to 5° or lower, it can also easily lead to illness.

Therefore, try to avoid such situations.

⒌ Delay Deworming and Vaccinations.

Most vaccines we give to pets are from companies like Intervet in the Netherlands or Pfizer in the United States, which are both considered weakened vaccines. In simple terms, these vaccines involve injecting a weakened form of the virus into the dog's body to allow it to gradually build up antibodies against the virus.

As previously mentioned, puppies' immune systems and resistance are at a low point when they move to a new environment. Injecting vaccines at this time might have the opposite effect, making them more susceptible to the virus.

Regarding deworming: It's essential to deworm your dog internally and externally, then wait 57 days before administering the vaccine. This is because if your dog has parasites, it can affect the vaccine's effectiveness, leading to immunological failure.

⒍ Minimize Contact with Other Pets and External Environments.

Until a puppy has completed its vaccinations, it has little resistance to diseases like canine distemper and parvovirus. Even pets that have been vaccinated can still carry viruses and may not become ill themselves but can transmit them to the puppy through contact.

The external environment is also a concern. For instance, if a dog carrying a virus defecates in a certain area, the virus can survive on the feces. If your dog comes into contact with it, they may also become infected.

⒎ Train Your Dog with Compassion.

Focus on play and interaction to develop your dog's personality and foster a sense of participation. However, be mindful not to overdo it initially.

For future training, it's also important to use the right methods and positive reinforcement. Avoid using punishment or physical discipline.

⒏ Avoid Letting Your Puppy Sleep on the Ground.

Sleeping on the ground can cause diarrhea in puppies. I recommend keeping them in a cage during the initial phase. This not only helps prevent them from catching a cold but also deters them from eating inappropriate items (in a puppy's mind, there's nothing they won't eat, from bottle caps and screws to shoes and even brooms). It also protects your home from potential damage.

Lastly, please understand that dog ownership is a genuine responsibility. Just like parents raising us, it's not about receiving anything in return; they raise us because they love us.

Some friends ask me about puppies that are 1 or 2 months old and have accidents everywhere. I just want to say that a 1 to 2monthold puppy is equivalent to a human child around 1 year old. Which child at that age can go to the bathroom on their own? We don't demand that much from human children, so why should we be so demanding of an animal?

Love is about tolerance, carrying the burden, and taking responsibility. If you keep being disappointed in your dog, they will become more selfconscious, less confident, and confused, which can only make things worse. Let's all show our dogs tolerance.