Embracing Motherhood: Becoming A Dog Mom
Welcome to my personal journey of becoming a Dog Mom. If you’ve ever wondered what nurturing and loving a furry companion is like, you’re in the right place. As a first-time Dog Mom, I’ll take you through my journey of the ups and downs of dog motherhood, celebrating the joys and challenges that come with it.
Choosing your fur child
Your journey into dog motherhood begins with an important decision: choosing the perfect canine companion to share your life with. This process is both exciting and crucial, as the dog you select will become an integral part of your family.
The first step in choosing your furry child is to take a good look at your lifestyle and be honest with yourself. Consider your living situation, work schedule, activity level, and the time and money you can devote to a pet. Some dogs need lots of space to roam, while others are perfect apartment dwellers. Matching a dog’s needs to your lifestyle is the foundation for a successful partnership. The pet I’d always wanted happened to be a pomeranian, which makes for a great apartment animal.
I’ll be the first to admit that the way in which I found my puppy was…let’s just say…not recommended. I decided that it was time to get a dog, and then, over a couple of weeks, I had one. Again - I am not endorsing my specific journey into dog motherhood. I searched too many websites to count that had puppies available or coming soon. Honestly, I’m not even sure how or where I found the breeder who I ended up working with. But, I somehow scheduled a meeting with this breeder to see the two remaining puppies and purchased Taz on the spot - my biggest impulse purchase to date.
2. raising A pup right
To my surprise, just like human babies, puppies require constant care and attention. Be prepared for sleepless nights, potty training accidents, and seemingly endless playtime. It’s a time when your selflessness and patience will be put to the test.
A few key things to research further for critical development that happens in these early months include:
Socialization - expose your puppy to various environments, people, and dogs to help them grow into a well-rounded and confident adult dog.
Positive Reinforcement - teach your pup basic commands and good behavior through rewards.
Crate Training - create a den-like environment for your furry friend to feel safe and comfortable when you’re away or asleep. Plus, this helps with potty training!
Health and Wellness - keep up with vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and regular checkups with your local veterinarian.
One thing that I implemented in my routine with Taz was training him during his lunch. Because he was so small, my vet recommended feeding him three times per day. I used his mid-day meal as training time so he could learn basic commands.
Another recommendation is to train your new puppy with techniques from videos of your breed learning different commands. The videos I watched helped me to understand the psychology of dogs and train Taz effectively.
Remember, raising a puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with your furry friend and maintain consistency in your training and routines. Take the time to cherish the puppy cuddles, goofy antics, and the unwavering love your pup showers upon you.
3. The joys and responsibilities
Every day as a dog mom brings a sense of purpose and routine. You’ll find yourself waking up to a wagging tail, taking leisurely walks together, and spending quality time playing with your fur baby. The main responsibility you assume when choosing to become a dog mom is the well-being of your pup. Your furry friend relies completely on you to take care of them.
This means that your world no longer revolves around you. If I’m being honest, that was the biggest adjustment for me. I didn’t realize how much my life would change after getting a puppy. The reality is that you no longer can live just taking care of yourself; you now have a little life depending on you to show up - no matter how many hours of sleep you have. However much my life has changed, having a dog’s unwavering love and loyalty as a source of comfort and happiness makes me forget what my life used to be like.
Being a dog mom is a journey filled with love, laughter, and the occasional chewed shoe. It’s an experience that will warm your heart, teach you patience, and fill your life with unconditional love. So, whether you’re a seasoned dog mom or considering welcoming a new furry family member, know that you’re not alone on this adventure as we celebrate the beautiful world of dog motherhood!
P.S. -To all dog moms at the beginning of this journey - I see you - in about a year, you’ll see that it was all worth it.