5 golden rules for raising happy and healthy baby pugs
Pugs by nature are sweet, affectionate and eager to please their owners. They’re also stubborn, strong-willed, and (yes, I’m saying that) high-maintenance. There are several things to keep in mind when raising happy and healthy baby pugs, and there are 5 “Golden Rules” that I believe in. I hope these golden guides are helpful to you as you begin the joy-filled and heartwarming journey that is life with a pug.
Golden Rule #1: Make Sure You’re Ready to Breed a Pug
People often fall so in love with pugs because of their undeniable cuteness that they think, “I want one!” and set out to welcome one to the family without looking at the big picture (or small, so to speak) of the little dog. It is imperative that you steel yourself against the baby pug’s big, round, pleading eyes that beg “take me home please!” and ask yourself if you’re really ready for a pug in your life. Remember, bringing a pug puppy home means that you are taking on an additional member of your family who needs attention, care, nurturing, and love. If you’re not ready or unable to give your baby pug the attention she needs, wait until you can.
Golden Rule #2: Make Sure You Have Everything Your Pug Puppy Needs Before You Bring It Home
Some of the items a new pug puppy needs include stainless steel food and water bowls (stainless steel helps prevent the dreaded pug acne), nutritious puppy food, a leash and collar, chew toys, and some media. identification, such as a microchip (done at the vet’s office) or a tag with your puppy’s name, address, and contact phone number. It’s also important that your pug puppy has an area in the house that is his “special place.” Putting a crate or small exercise pen in a common area of the house, like the kitchen or living room, and adding the puppy’s food and water dishes, toys, and bed to that area helps the puppy get used to your place in the home and exposed to the general sights and sounds of your new home.
Golden Rule #3: Give your Pug puppy good preventative care, grooming, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercise
When you do these things, you give your baby pug the best tools to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Right away, find a local vet whom you have the utmost trust to take care of your baby pug’s life. Check to see what experience the vet has with pugs and how familiar they are with pug-specific health issues, particularly brachycephalic (short-faced) issues, such as respiratory and eye problems. Be sure to discuss a vaccination schedule with your vet and give your pug puppy all of his shots. These prevent you from getting an infectious disease. Keep an eye on your pug’s weight, as pugs love to eat and tend to get overweight quickly. PS Since there are countless health issues with pugs, we’ll cover them more thoroughly in future pug health articles.
Golden rule #4: send your pug puppy to school
Check your local paper, store bulletin board, or online for puppy training classes or at-home puppy personal trainers. A well-mannered and well-mannered pug is a happy and healthy pug. Pugs are curious, bright and intelligent creatures who benefit from stimulation and having things to do. Taking your pug puppy to school allows her to reach her potential, socialize with other dogs, and better communicate with you. Pugs that respond to their owners’ commands help ensure their own safety. Imagine your sweet baby running after a cat into traffic while you helplessly scream, or your baby pug getting into food or other items that could be life-threatening. Learning some basic commands and following them is a good thing.
Rule of thumb #5: Keep your pug puppy active
This could certainly include going for a walk to provide much-needed stimulation and exercise, playing at the local dog park, playing with the kids in the backyard, visiting a senior care facility as part of healing therapy , join a local pug club, and so on. It is important because it provides your pug puppy with socialization skills, mental and physical stimulation and allows him to enjoy life as we do. Imagine what our world would be like if we did nothing but sleep and stay home all day. I know, some of you like that idea very well!
Believe in these golden rules for raising a happy and healthy pug puppy and apply them in your life. You and your baby pug will be glad you did!