Happy New Year! Are you starting out the new year with a puppy? If so, you’re in for some super cute moment in the next 12 months! Actually, little Fido may also have some resolutions of his own. A Forest Hill, MD vet lists some of them below.

Grow

Your canine buddy has a lot of growing to do during this important year of his life! Dogs—especially large breeds—grow very quickly. Get little Fido started out on the right paw by providing him with a high-quality puppy-formula pet food.

Meet My Doctor

For those of us in the veterinary industry, watching puppies grow from adorable bundles of fur into happy, healthy adult dogs is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Your little buddy will need microchipping, spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, exams, and parasite control. (We also like to offer treats and ear scritches as part of our ‘tail wag check’ regimen.)

Chew

Chewing is definitely on the agenda for your furry pal this year. It can be kind of painful for little Fido when his teeth grow in, so he will want to gnaw on, well, pretty much everything. Make sure your cute pet has lots of suitable chew toys!

Investigate

Our canine buddies are very curious. Unfortunately, they have a habit of learning about things by trying to eat them. This can be very dangerous! Remove, protect, or secure anything that could potentially be dangerous. This list includes plastic bags, wrappers, and ties; toxic plants; small items, like buttons, safety pins, and coins; wires and cords; chemicals; sharp objects; and medicine. You’ll also want to keep things like shoes, purses, and books out of paws’ reach.

Make Friends

Socialization is very important for puppies! As little Fido is figuring out what he thinks about the world, it’s very important for him to meet lots of new people, as well as friendly, polite dogs. This will help him form an open mind, which will in turn help him grow into a happy, well-behaved pooch. Ask your vet for tips on socializing your cute pet.

Learn New Things

This is a big year for Fido’s petucation! Teach your puppy important commands, like Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Crate training and housebreaking are also on the agenda.

Please call us, your Forest Hill, MD vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!