Puppy love isn’t merely reserved for boys and girls, but for the love and affection your puppy has for you. Here are 21 entertaining and practical ways to keep your puppy happy and healthy with the tools they need to flourish
1. DATE AT THE DOG PARK
A date with your devoted companion at the dog park provides exercise, mental, as well as physical, stimulation and doggy social interaction. It’s a great opportunity for you and your puppy to take in some fresh air, ignite your senses and to make a friend or two.
2. EATING AT A DOG FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
We all need to eat, what better way to enjoy a meal than to take your best friend to a dog-friendly restaurant. EAT OUT has some great suggestions to find the perfect spot in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town areas. Show your puppy the local culinary scene for pawsitive well-being.
3. CAR DRIVE
Have the wind blow through your puppy’s fur via a semi-open car door window and recreate true vintage convertible style of elegant fun. Make sure your puppy is secure in their seat with a doggy SEAT BELT, because safety first.
4. BURN THAT EXTRA ENERGY
When our puppies have too much energy, they tend to misbehave. Put those four puppy legs to work and go for a short walk to the grocery store or to the neighbour’s house.
5. TRICKS AND TREATS
Stimulate your puppy’s mental ability by teaching your four-legged mastermind a trick or two. Start with the basics – sit, stand, roll over and reward your hard worker with a healthy PROBONO PUPPY TREAT.
6. SOLVE SOME PUZZLES
Puzzles are brilliant to minimise boredom and to keep your puppy in the best of moods. Hollow out some old tennis balls and put your puppy’s favourite treat inside – this is bound to keep your furry-child entertained for hours.
Try your hand at making this DIY TREAT DISPENSER or simply browse our increidble range of DOG PUZZLES.
7. MAKE PAW ART
So many reasons why we should preserve our puppy’s baby paws on paper. Have a look at this incredible BLOG POST all about paw art. Not only will it look fantastic on your fridge, but you’ll bond and play with your puppy in the most artistic way.
8. PHOTO TIME
Our puppies grow up so fast, provide yourself with a future reminder of their puppy-days by taking a picture. Photos are great for memories, photo frames and social media and in the famous words of Lucky Blue Smith, “put a puppy in your picture, and it will make it 20 times better”.
9. GROOM YOUR POOCH
Our puppies are adventurers and garden trotters – now and again they will be in dire need of a wash. Spoil your puppy by giving them a bath, a blow dry and a shiny clean coat to show off.
10. SOFA SNUGGLES
LOVE LOVE LOVE – a matchless emotion and the perfect way to boost your puppy’s happiness. After a day filled with adventure, tricks, puzzles and exercise – treat yourselves to a snuggle on the sofa accompanied with hugs, kisses and your favourite program on TV.
11. HIT THE WATER
Nearly every breed of dog adores water, so leap into pools, splash around in puddles or just run through squirting sprinklers. Bring out your inner child to have a blast with your four-legged toddler.
12. DISCO AND DANCING
Your puppy loves your moves, no matter how skilled your dancing may be. Turn your living room into a disco and dance the night away. Your puppy will be leaping for joy and probably sing and bark along too.
13. CHEW AND SNIFF
To allow our adorable puppies to chew can be a pain, however it is vital for their development. Purchase HIGH QUALITY CHEW TOYS and let them nibble away. Stimulate those olfactory senses by having your puppy sniff anything and everything – it is after all how they learn about the world.
14. SOCIALISING
Check out your local puppy classes or arrange a puppy playdate. It’s a great way for both of you to get out of the house and socialise.
15. LEARN TO SPEAK PUPPY
Study your four-legged child’s body language so that you know how he or she’s feeling. There’s nothing worse than not being heard, so be pet parent of the year by providing your puppy with the understanding they need.
16. BRUSH THEIR TEETH
Provide your puppy with the smile they deserve. By brushing their teeth you can prevent gum disease, tooth loss, and doggie breath. Have a look at our ORAL CARE PRODUCTS for dental assistance.
17. GET ON YOUR VET’S CALENDAR
Ensure your puppy has regular check-ups (at least three times in the first year). Prevention is better than cure – so give your vet the opportunity to stop a potential health problem in its tracks.
18. CLIP – CLEAN – TAG
CLAWS – Keeping claws too long could result in discomfort for puppies. If you’re not sure about your skills, ask your vet or grooming parlour to do it for you. YouTube has great tutorials if you’d like to clip from home.
CLEAN – Our puppy’s ears are the perfect vacation spot for mites and infections. Make sure your puppy never has to be the host to such unwanted guests by swabbing their ears regularly. Ask your vet to show you how to swab safely and properly.
TAG – Millions of puppies are lost each year from causes such as firecrackers and open gates. Be a responsible pet parent by having them microchipped or investing in a TAG to clip onto your pup’s collar to ensure that your puppy’s identity isn’t lost when they are.
19. FEEDING TIME
Feeding puppies table food can lead to obesity, intestinal problems, choking and hyperactivity. Instead, feed them a perfectly balanced diet from a well-known, QUALITY BRAND. They’ll enjoy the taste and you’ll know you’re giving your puppy’s body the right nutrients.
20. FEED TO SIZE
Pups have different nutritional needs based on their breed and size. Meet the demands of your small, medium or large puppy by providing them with the appropriate meal. A dash of love and breed specific food leads to a very happy and thriving puppy.
21. KEEP IT FRESH
Ensure you have a hydrated puppy by providing them with fresh drinkable water. Dump the water in your pup’s bowl before each meal is served, scrub the dish, refill and rest assured that your puppy is drinking safe, crisp and clean water.
A DRINKING FOUNTAIN is the best option for filtered, fresh water on tap – constantly. Clean H2O is mos always the way to go.