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There are at least 810 dog parks in the USA by the beginning of 2020. There was an increase of 37 parks in 2019.

But having a dog park available to you doesn’t mean that’s all you need to know. You’re no doubt concerned about when to start introducing your little furry baby to other dogs en masse. You want to get the advantages of early socializing without injury, illness, or other fears.

We understand, which is why we’ve done the research and brought you the best ways to get you and your pup ready. Keep reading to find out!

All Vaccinations Are Complete: Time to Play

Most puppies get all their vaccinations by the time they’re 16 weeks old. If you wait until adolescence (about 6 months old) it could engrain difficult-to-break bad habits. That said, from 17 weeks onward is a good time to bring puppies to dog parks.

There’s more you can do until then, though. The life stage for a puppy between three to four months will either help or hurt your dog’s development in big ways. A dog that’s afraid is more prone to be aggressive as a defense against an enemy that isn’t there.

Bringing home a puppy that isn’t too young is your best defense against bad social skills. A puppy taken away from the rest of the litter before eight weeks could lose vital opportunity to learn what’s acceptable and what’s not by their peers.

Setting up playdates with dogs of all ages (as long as they’re healthy and vaccinated) in a controlled environment is a good way to start slowly introducing them to others. Mixing the place up between home and away turf can get them to understand they aren’t the kings and queens of every place they go.

The Puppy Can Mostly Perform Reliable Recall

There’s more to the fenced parks than letting them off the leash to play as soon as they’re old enough. Leading up to the dog park, you can play games that train your puppy to perform “reliable recall.” Basically, presenting themselves on command in a reliable way.

Some games you can play are:

• Catch me
• Find me
• Hot potato

If your dog doesn’t have a reliable recall down yet, you may be tempted to keep them on-leash and close. This could have the opposite effect you want, though. Dogs that are on leashes around dogs that aren’t could feel backed into a corner and cause them to start a fight.

Members-only parks are selective about the temperament of dogs that they allow in, excluding the more aggressive dogs. They also generally have better fencing and space to run around or avoid bullies. In the case they don’t have a good recall yet, you can use a long leash that gives the puppy more freedom.

So the puppy doesn’t get overwhelmed, you could try off-peak dog park hours at short intervals at first.

Dog Park: The Last Bark

So what should you remember?

Give solid basic training to your puppy as early as possible. Try to socialize in a safe environment from 12 weeks onward. Introduce them to more than one other dog if possible.

Scout your favorite dog park for fences, peak play-times, size, etc. Size up the dogs and people that frequent there with a few visits before taking the puppy inside.

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to bring a new puppy home? To experience the joy of coming home to an adorable dog each day who is completely excited to see you?

Owning a dog is an incredible experience. They are truly the perfect companion, especially when you get the privilege of raising them as a puppy.

Have you started looking at puppies for sale? It can be difficult to decide if you aren’t sure what you are looking for and what type of dog would work best with your family.

Are you convinced that getting a puppy is right for you? Wondering what the best option is when getting a new puppy? Keep reading for answers to all your puppy questions.

Benefits of Getting a Puppy

No one can deny that getting a puppy is a good idea. But sometimes we just need a little nudge to finally make it happen. You know they require time, attention, and resources. But they’re worth it, aren’t they?

Consider the fact that owning a dog improves heart health. Studies have shown that dog ownership is linked to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels, giving you a healthier, stronger heart.

Owning a dog also means you are more likely to get adequate exercise on a weekly basis, leading to lower weight. Whether that’s a daily walk, playing catch at the park, or riding a bike with your dog, you are both likely to lead healthier lives. 

Plus, bringing a puppy home will fill you with joy, help to reduce stress, and reduce the risk of depression. Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

Getting Started With Puppies for Sale

When it comes time to get a pet and bring them home, there are countless options.

Should you buy a puppy that a friend or neighbor is selling? It might work out, but you are limiting your options. You probably won’t know anything about the puppy, and you won’t be confident that they are the right fit for your family.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could talk to an expert about what type of dogs you love, and what you are hoping for in a new puppy?

Find Your New Puppy Today

There’s no better time than today to bring a new pup home. With countless physical, mental, and emotional health benefits, along with the fun of caring for a dog, there’s no reason not to find your furry friend today.

There are few situations in life as tenuous as when you introduce two good friends of yours from different circles. You wonder if they’re going to get along and hope their personalities mesh well.

Bringing a new puppy home is not too dissimilar from that in many ways. Our pets have different personalities and puppies have a lot of energy that older dogs might not tolerate well.

Puppies often haven’t shaped their canine etiquette very well at those younger stages, either.

Before searching “puppy for sale near me” make sure you know how to introduce a new dog to your old pets. Keep reading to find out how!

Taking the Puppy Home For the First Time

Taking the new dog home, whether it’s a new puppy or older dog, causes stress, jealousy, and anxiety unless it’s done right. Having a proper setup is crucial to the process of phasing a new dog into the family.

A good place to introduce the two isn’t actually inside the home. There could be definite turf wars going on unless you are able to introduce them in a neutral place. It doesn’t even have to be far away and can be incorporated with a friend on a normal walk.

This sneak attack is a good way to prep your older dog without them expecting anything.

That being said, your dog may be curious about this next tip.

Puppies Only: Make a Designated Area

Toddlers and little kids can be as annoying as they are cute, and the same is true for puppies to older pets. Those little furry bundles of energy just don’t know when enough is enough. They’ll learn in time, but until then, they need an area to contain and protect them.

This area will aid in their house-training efforts and give some peace and quiet to your existing pets. They’ll have their own toys and sleeping area to play with.

So it isn’t too shocking for your older dog, make sure to set it up in advance so they’re already used to not using the area for themselves.

New Puppy Playtime

Along with toys to play with, your new pup will want to play with the other pets you have.

All playtime sessions should be fully supervised for a few weeks at least. They may need to be separated when the older dog gets annoyed or bored, or they may nip the young pup or worse.

Both dogs should get treats and new toys to reduce jealousy and keep it fun for both. You want playtime to be a fun and rewarding experience, not a grind.

Sniffing is natural and helps them to “read the daily paper” so-to-speak. But it requires supervision if one is getting more intimate than the other wants to tolerate. You know your own older dog better than anyone, so distract them when you think enough is enough.

Puppy Love: A Happy Pet Family

Each dog has its own role in the family and it takes time for them to know it and settle in. Having their own food, space, treats, and toys and meeting on neutral ground will go a long way to trimming down jealousy and other negative traits early on.

If you want more tips and advice, our stores are located conveniently with our expert pet-loving staff. Take advantage of our decades of experience and know-how — get in touch today!

Winter has blown in and the country is feeling the effects of snow, ice, and cold north winds. To keep people safe on roads and sidewalks, many communities salt the ground to help ice melt faster. But the combination of snow, ice, salt, and cold weather can really do a number on your dog’s paw pads. Consider the following suggestions for keeping his feet healthy during the cold months.

Keep walks short.

You might think that your dog’s natural winter coat and tough paw pads would keep him comfortable even when the snow falls, but you’d be wrong. His coat is probably not thick enough or long enough nor are his feet as tough as you think. 

Keep your walks short—just long enough to “do his business” and have a short bit of exercise. During extreme cold, you might skip the outside exercise, too. If it’s too cold for you to enjoy a walk or jog, it’s too cold for him, too. Being outside in the cold can lead to frostbite for your canine pal as easily as for you. 

Consider a blanket or coat for him when you venture outdoors.

Put a towel by the door.

As soon as you get back inside, dry Fido off completely, including his paws, his nose, and his ears. If your community uses salt on sidewalks and roadways, use warm water to dip his paws in when you return to the house. Toweling him off in the house will make him much more comfortable and reduce the damage ice or salt between his toes can do.

Paw Balm

Even before you head out the door, rub some paw balm into his pads. Salt can cause dry skin and damage to his paws, but paw balm creates a barrier between his feet and the elements. Store bought or homemade, rubbing some balm in after you dry him off will help keep his pads soft and supple.

Footwear for dogs

So maybe you think dogs in booties look weird. That’s okay, but don’t let it stop you from buying a good set that will keep him comfortable outside. You wouldn’t think about going outside barefoot in the winter, right? Don’t make him do it, either. 

Best buys for pooch presents

The holidays are upon us. Pack your pooch’s stocking with some of our favorite products and give him the best holiday ever!

Christmas is a time for spreading cheer and a puppy will always bring joy around. It is hard to find someone who doesn’t get excited when a puppy is looking up at them with a wet nose and trusting eyes. Gifting a new puppy to your loved one during Christmas is sure to make them happy and you can make the event even more enjoyable by planning it as a surprise! The puppy is soon to win them over with lots of wet kisses and cuddles and it will be the beginning of a meaningful relationship.

Here are some cute ways in which you can surprise your family or a loved one with a puppy at Christmas.

Delaying the Surprise

Yes, the best way of making the surprise even better is to delay it. There might be several occasions when your friend or a family member has gone looking for puppies at pet stores. When this happens again, tell them why taking a puppy is a bad idea at that moment. Being familiar with the person will help you come with all the reasons why they might not want a puppy, like anyone to take care of it when they are out for work.

They are going to be immensely disappointed at first and you have to deal with this phase. However, tell the caretaker of the puppy secretly that you are interested, and then go back alone to get it right before Christmas. The surprise and joy on their faces when they finally lay eyes on the puppy will be worth all this effort.

Puppy in Gift Wrapping

While this might seem like a cliché to many, there is a reason why this is done so many times. Putting the puppy in a present box never fails to make an impact. This works best as a Christmas present, as you put the puppy inside a box and place it under the Christmas. Wrap the box in pretty paper with a bow on top! When the ‘present’ is unboxed, the squeals of joy will not stop anytime soon!

Of course, you have to careful while placing the puppy inside the box or basket. Make sure you put the puppy just minutes before you are about the spring the surprise. This will avoid any discomfort from the puppy’s side. However, a typical puppy can still make cute noises from the moment they are put inside the box, so you could put in a treat or two with him, or a toy to keep him quiet.

Even if he does make some sounds, it still makes for a great surprise as everyone is startled by puppy noises in the room. Make sure you leave a gap in the box for ventilation. Putting a small Santa cap on the puppy is sure to melt everyone’s heart.

Surprise Visit

You can make the puppy the star of your Christmas dinner! Gather everyone around for the grand Christmas meal and make everyone is in the same room while they are eating. Confide in a friend and let him slip the puppy into the room. Everyone is sure to be caught off guard when they see a puppy exploring the room all by himself. There are going to be frantic inquiries while some will leave their seats to cuddle the little bundle of joy.

After the puppy has managed to surprise everyone, introduce it to the family. This surprise always works the best with children because not knowing that the puppy is already a part of the family, they will insist on keeping the puppy that has just walked in. Tell them they cannot, and you have to return the puppy to whoever it belongs- maybe a neighbor. Then, when you finally tell them the truth, they are most likely to shed tears of joy.

Treasure Hunts

Can there be a treasure hunt better than the one which involves a puppy? Surely not. Organize a treasure hunt for Christmas and leave clues around the house for everyone, telling them this is how they find their gifts. In the meantime, hide the puppy in a well-ventilated basket and place it in a safe corner of the house.

As the clues lead your family towards that spot, they are sure to be intrigued by that basket, which in all probability, will also be swaying a little. Tell them to open it and the boundless joy on the faces as they greet the new puppy is going to be the best Christmas gift for you ever.

Car Surprise

With all your Christmas shopping just about over, ask your family to help you with all the bags that you have in the car. Tell them to open the car door carefully, because you have some very precious shopping inside. As they open the car door, Tada! There is the puppy, sitting snug on the backseat, looking all pretty with a bow! This surprise is sure to bring all your neighbors to your driveway because of course your family would be screaming in joy!

With a car surprise, remember to keep the windows down when the puppy is inside by a couple of inches. However, the doors should be locked so that they do not accidentally open while you are telling your family to get the bags. You should also avoid doing this if it is very hot or very cold. Some Christmases can be freezing, so you could consider leaving your car heater on. But overall, do not leave the puppy inside alone for more than a few minutes. You could also confide in a friend to hold the puppy if it is very small or is particularly restless.

With these ideas, you are sure to surprise your family in a novel way. While there is no dearth of gifts on the shop shelves for the festive season, a puppy will bring your family way more joy than you could have ever imagined. It will be your best Christmas ever.