There’s nothing more fun than raising a puppy! But did you know that the way you raise your pup – and the choices you make along the way – also affect the planet? We totally get that you’re walking on air when your new puppy arrives. You probably won’t immediately think about the effect this has on your surroundings. So how can you raise your puppy while making responsible choices? Here are 10 ways to be the most pawsitive and sustainable puppy parent.
Inhoudsopgave
- Adopt don’t shop – een hond adopteren
- Laat geen “boodschap” achter
- Geef je puppy verantwoorde voeding
- Honden houden van cookies – bak ze zelf
- Puppy opvoeden – gebruik natuurlijke vachtverzorging
- Heb respect voor alle dieren en hun leefgebied
- Is het voor jou of voor je hond?
- Wandel meer
- Speel veel – het liefst verantwoord
- Zorg goed en verantwoord – ontvang onvoorwaardelijke liefde
Raising a puppy: 10 tips for a low paw-print lifestyle
1. Adopt don’t shop – choose adoption
The very first big decision you make when you decide to welcome a dog into your home is which breed to choose and where your puppy comes from. Of course, you can go for a purebred puppy from a breeder, but adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organisation is a far more sustainable option.
In shelters in the Netherlands, abroad, and everywhere in between, countless dogs are still waiting every day for their “furever home”. Adopting a dog this way is a deeply rewarding path to finding your best friend. By choosing to adopt, you rescue a puppy from a hopeless situation and give them a loving home. Bo, the dog of our founder Denise, came to the Netherlands through the HomelessDogs foundation. With Bo, Denise has found a friend for life. Because there are many more dogs like Bo still looking for a home, Pawness donates 10% of its profits to carefully selected dog charities.
If you’d like to adopt a dog yourself, be sure to take a look at the websites of HomelessDogs or the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals. By adopting a pup, you can be sure you’ll be raising the most grateful puppy ever.
2. Don’t leave any “messages” behind
Once you have a puppy at home, you’ll be going on lots of walks to help your new friend become fully house-trained. This can be quite the challenge at first, but with plenty of patience and consistency your little rascal will get there. It’s an important part of raising a puppy and something you’ll want to start with right away.
Composteerbare poepzakjes
It’s just as important to clean up all those little “gifts” they so proudly leave outside – even in places where it isn’t legally required. Your dog’s waste is one of the major causes of spreading disease. There are several ways to dispose of it; for example, always take a scoop or bag with you when you go for a walk.
The most sustainable choice is to use compostable poop bags. These bags are biodegradable and don’t leave any lasting waste behind. You can attach a roll of compostable bags to your leash in a poop bag holder just as easily as you can with regular plastic bags.
The compostable bags from Pawness are made from cornstarch in an environmentally friendly way. Because they are compostable and free from harmful substances, you can simply dispose of the entire bag – contents and all – in the organic waste bin, where it breaks down completely. It’s the most environmentally friendly and truly zero waste option.
3. Feed your puppy responsibly
When you’re raising a puppy, it’s essential to think carefully about what you feed them. Their food should be healthy and nutritious, and produced in a responsible, sustainable way.
Producing pet food can have a significant impact on the environment. When choosing food, it’s important to check whether the brand takes its environmental footprint seriously – not just for the planet, but also for animal welfare and people. Because the range is so extensive, it can be a good idea to discuss your puppy’s diet with your vet. You can also buy food in larger bags, so you use less packaging overall. And remember: the type of packaging used also affects the environment.
Hangemaakte keramieken voerbak – wit
If you have enough knowledge about nutrition, you can also prepare your dog’s food yourself. This way, you know exactly which ingredients go in and where they come from. Another advantage is that your pup will always enjoy fresh food. Need inspiration for preparing the tastiest and most nutritious meals for your puppy? The book “Feed Me” is packed with delicious recipes and information about nutrition and how it supports raising a healthy pup.
If you prefer to buy ready-made food, we’re big fans of the organic and sustainable food from Yarrah and Pawr. Alongside kibble, they offer wet food, treats, and cookies. You can also opt for fresh meals for your pup. Dog Chef prepares fresh food tailored to your dog’s specific needs. Want to spoil your puppy with tasty snacks and biscuits? Aston’s Cookies are highly recommended. They’re made with 100% natural, human-grade ingredients – and they smell amazing.
4. Dogs love cookies – bake your own
Raising a puppy takes time and patience. But with the right treats, training becomes much easier – and a lot more fun. There’s hardly a dog in the world that doesn’t light up at the sight of a tasty snack. The best part? You can easily bake them yourself.
There are plenty of simple recipes to bake something delicious for your four-legged friend. Always check with your vet first to make sure the ingredients you use are safe and healthy for your pup.
You can already find lots of inspiration in these recipes for yummy cookies you can easily make at home.
5. Raising a puppy – choose natural coat care
It’s important to take good care of your dog’s skin and coat. As with nutrition, there is a wide range of grooming products on the market. To protect your pup and the planet, it’s a great idea to switch to natural grooming products. These are free from palm oil, parabens, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, animal cruelty, SLS, and EDTA.
Houndztooth verzorgingsproducten
Responsible grooming products contain only natural ingredients such as botanical and essential oils.
It isn’t always necessary to give your dog a full bath – often a quick freshen-up is enough. That saves a lot of water and time, which means more “pawlity time” together. To keep your dog fresh and well-cared-for between washes, you can use a conditioning spray. It nourishes the skin, adds shine to the coat, and helps neutralise odours. Regular brushing is also essential. How often you need to brush depends on the type of coat. Some coats (long, wire-haired, or curly) need more care than others (short-haired). By brushing regularly, you remove loose hair and dead skin cells, keep the coat and skin in good condition, and prevent tangles and matting.
Vegan brushes – long and fine coats
We’re huge fans of the Houndztooth grooming line. This Australian brand uses 100% natural ingredients and is produced sustainably. The range includes shampoos and conditioning sprays & deodorisers. There’s a suitable shampoo and spray for every coat type. Houndztooth’s grooming line is exclusively available in Europe through our webshop – and we’re very proud of that.
Even when you use natural grooming products, it’s still wise to test them on a small area of your dog’s skin first.
6. Respect all animals and their habitat
There’s nothing better than heading out into nature with your dog. They love being outside, playing and exploring – jumping, running, rolling. The wilder, the better. During your outdoor adventures, it’s important to respect other animals and their habitat. That’s also part of raising a well-mannered puppy.
Teach your dog to walk off-lead safely and to come back when you call. Only let your pup off-lead in areas where it’s allowed. Does your puppy have a strong hunting instinct? Then be extra careful in places with lots of birds and ducks, especially during nesting season.
Halsband Trix – Emerald
Alongside respect for wildlife, it’s also important that your dog is social with other dogs. If you let your dog off-lead, you need to be sure they listen well and are well socialised. You want to avoid uncomfortable or unsafe situations during your walk. If your pup can’t walk off-lead yet, don’t worry – it’s something you can train. Most dog schools offer special courses to help with this.
7. Raising a puppy: is it for you or for your dog?
The range of dog products out there is enormous, which doesn’t always make it easy to pick the right items. Of course, you’d love to spoil your pup with beautiful, fun things. But before you buy something new, it’s important to ask yourself whether you really need it to raise your puppy.
Many products on the market don’t fall into the “essentials” category – and are therefore not truly necessary. By buying only what your dog actually needs, you reduce your combined paw print. It’s also worth looking closely at the materials used and the conditions in which the product was made.
For your dog’s essentials, it’s best to choose items made from durable and natural materials. Pick a handmade ceramic bowl instead of a plastic one – better for the planet and your interior. Use compostable poop bags made from cornstarch rather than plastic. Let your pup dream away on a cosy blanket made from organic cotton instead of fleece.
8. Walk more
Your dog is your best buddy if you love long walks. It’s not only great for your pup but also for your own health. A good daily walk can significantly boost your wellbeing. Your future self will thank you for it (you’re welcome!). On top of that, walking is better for the environment – so leave the car at home more often and head out together on foot.
While you’re raising your puppy, they’ll need to learn to walk nicely on the lead. Take your time and let them get used to it. It’s definitely worth enrolling your dog in a puppy course. It will help you teach your pup the right behaviour and support you in raising a confident, happy dog. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to work together – it strengthens your bond.
9. Play lots – and play responsibly
You don’t want your dog to get bored, so toys are a must. When you’re choosing toys for your puppy, look for ones made from recyclable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials.
We give our own dogs natural hemp ropes. They’re perfect for pups who love to chew. More and more products made from 100% natural rubber are also appearing on the market. This material is eco-friendly, durable, and has no negative impact on the environment.
Keramieken anti-schrok voerabk – grijs
10. Raising a puppy: care consciously – receive unconditional love
As a well-known quote says: “A dog is the only creature on earth that loves you more than it loves itself.” And we couldn’t agree more. Your loyal pup is always thrilled when you walk through the door. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been gone for five minutes or a whole day – they’ll greet you as if you’ve been on a world trip.
So it only feels natural to raise your puppy in a sustainable and loving way. The moment you see that happy little face, you know you’ve found a friend for life. Raising a puppy is one of the most joyful experiences there is – especially when you can do it with respect for people, animals, and the planet.
By choosing sustainable, responsible products, we can help make them the norm rather than the exception. At Pawness, this is our mission too – happiness for all pups, their humans, and the world we live in.
Ik ben Denise, oprichter van Pawness. Ontstaan vanuit de liefde voor mijn hond Bo en de zoektocht naar eerlijke, mooie producten voor honden. Ik geloof dat elke keuze telt: voor je hond, voor de planeet en voor de mensen erachter. Met deze blogs help ik puppyouders bewuster te kiezen, zonder dat het ingewikkeld hoeft te zijn.
