A pug puppy can be a delightful addition to any family. Pugs are intelligent, feisty, social dogs, who are ideal for apartment living and get on well with children. With regular care, proper hygiene and good nutrition, a pug can live for 12 or more years. They can be stubborn and difficult to train, and they are prone to health issues, so owning a pug puppy should not be undertaken lightly. But, if you decide a pug puppy is for you, he or she will be a loyal companion for life.
Pug Proofing Your Home
Pugs are very sensitive to the weather and should be considered inside dogs. They are generally sedentary; they sleep a lot and rarely do much more than follow you from room to room. However, pug puppies can be just as playful and excitable as any other puppy, and will race around and chew on anything in reach. Remove or cover anything a puppy might tip over, step into, or chew on. Remember, a pug puppy is smaller than most, and may be able to slip into tiny spaces, like behind your TV, leaving him vulnerable to electric shock. Pugs shed a lot, so you might want to consider having dog-free rooms, and these should be established right away.
Caring for Your New Puppy
Try to bring your puppy home to a quiet environment. Remember he might be upset or scared by meeting too many new people at once. Show him where his food and water are kept. Decide on a name as soon as possible so he can begin getting used to it. Pugs are very social animals and should be provided with company most of the time. They are intelligent, but can also be extremely stubborn, so you should aim to establish good habits from the start. Bad ones, like jumping on furniture or begging for food, can be impossible to break if not discouraged early on.
Health Care for Pugs
Pugs can potentially develop a lot of health problems. They tend to have trouble breathing because of the shape of their faces, and can overheat quickly, because they cannot pant as effectively as dogs with longer noses. For this reason, you should never over exercise your pug. If he begins to get out of breath, stop until he recovers. Don't try to exercise him in hot weather. However, obesity can also exacerbate breathing difficulties, so a regime of mild exercise and good eating habits should be established as soon as possible.
You should brush your pug at least twice a week to minimise shedding. Pugs are also prone to bad teeth, but you can get a dog toothbrush and paste from the vet and get him used to having his teeth brushed each day. You should also clean the folds of skin on your pug's face every week or so with warm water to prevent skin infections. Observe your pup carefully and get to know his normal behavior, so that if he becomes sick, you will know it quickly.
Pugs are friendly, sweet little dogs, that can easily fit into a family, or provide loyal companionship if you live alone. They do require more care than the average dog breed, but will repay this care with years of good company.