National Puppy Day: 5 Essential Tips for Raising a Healthy & Happy Dog

As if there isn’t enough reason to celebrate your adorable furry friend, now there’s a national holiday for it! March 23rd rings in National Puppy Day. It’s a day to pamper your pooch with love, nutritious meals, and all of their favorite toys and treats. Getting your pup acquainted with healthy habits early is the pathway to raising a healthy and happy dog.

To commemorate puppies everywhere, here are our top 5 tips for you and your sweet fur baby.

Raising a Happy Puppy: The Foundations

If there’s one thing we know about puppies, they require structure to build safety. Raising a happy puppy with care, consciousness, and intention is the greatest act of love for your dog. But, how do you build routine and structure with your pup? Here are the foundational tips and tricks that all new and seasoned dog owners can follow:

• Proper Socialization

Socializing your puppy will prove essential, especially in those early days. Familiarize them with new people, places, and other animals. This will prevent unwanted behaviors from forming like fear-aggression or unrelenting barking. 

For instance, when you first welcome your puppy into your home, invite new people into your space. Help your puppy get comfortable with new faces as early as possible. You can give your company treats to offer your pooch to ease any potential nerves. 

If you have another pet in your home, be sure to introduce them slowly and intentionally. Start by offering an item that smells like your older dog and introduce it to your pup, and vice-versa. 

Over time, meeting new animals and people will become a breeze.

• Regular House Training

As mentioned earlier, building structure with your puppy is vital to building safety, too! Put your new pup on a routine with feeding and potty breaks. After your pup wakes up, eats, or drinks, get them into the habit of going to the bathroom. Keep things consistent, and over time, your pooch will know what to expect.

• Crate Training

Crate training is a positive way to foster a sense of safety for your puppy. It prevents unwanted and anxious habits, and can even calm their nervous system. This is especially true when you have the right crate. The Revol Dog Crate is an ergonomic, cozy, and welcoming crate that your puppy will love. 

• Advocate for Appropriate Chewing Habits

It’s no secret that the one thing puppies love to do is chew. Although it can be one of the more stressful parts of raising a puppy, chewing is natural. But, you can teach your pup appropriate chewing habits to keep them from wrecking your favorite pair of sneakers. 

If you notice your new fur baby nibbling on the couch or any other unwanted object, redirect them to a delicious alternative. This will keep your pup happy, nourished, less anxious, and away from household items.

• Basic Obedience Training

Every dog needs to learn the fundamentals of obedience training to ensure a happy and healthy life. Your dog wants to please you more than anything. This is why positive reinforcement is such a powerful tool to have in your training toolbelt. Promote favorable behaviors with yummy, nutritious treats, and give your pup a chance to please you.

Teach your pooch to lie down, sit, stay, heel, and more with help from Get Joy’s Health Services.

A Healthy Dog Starts With a Healthy Meal Plan

If you ask us, one of the best ways to celebrate National Puppy Day is with a whole-food, nourishing, and gut-friendly meal plan. Our Fresh Freeze Dried dog food packs in pre, pro, and postbiotics optimizing your pet’s gut health in their early stages of life. The perfect way to reward your dog to give back their love tenfold. Give the gift of wellness to your pup. Set you and your furry friend up for a lifetime of success by opting for sustainable nutrition. 

Get Joy is committed to bettering the lives of dogs and their owners on a global scale. Learn more about our mission and say “yes” to giving your puppy the love and joy they deserve!