How To Prepare For Puppy - Checklist and Guide
Getting a new puppy is always a super exciting time, but you want to make sure you know how to prepare for a puppy. A lot of people underestimate the preparations that must be done when getting your puppy. You want to make sure that your new puppy grows up to be healthy and obedient. This is the most effective time of this puppy's life, when it first moves in!
So here is what to do before getting your puppy and what to do once you bring them home!
Mandatory Puppy Checklist:
The first step to getting a puppy is making sure you have all the materials to care for them.
Puppy food
You are going to want to feed your puppy a good high quality dog food to help them grow healthy and strong.
Food and Water Bowls
Its good to have sturdy dog bowls for your wild puppy's food and water. It's best if they are stainless steel and dishwasher safe.
Puppy Treats
Every dog loves treats, their ears perk up right as they hear the word. You can have a selection of different treats if you'd like but it's always good to make sure you have enough at the ready.
Adjustable Collar
Your pups going to be growing so you want to make sure you have an adjustable collar that can fit them right throughout the months without keep having to buy a new one.
ID Tags
An ID tag is a very important thing to get for your dog. It keeps your dogs name along with your phone number on it so that if your dog gets lost someone can call you. Then your puppy will be back home and safe. You can usually get an ID tag made at a local pet store like Petsmart or Petco.
Basic Leash
Leashes are always important to have if you are taking your dog for a walk or if you don't have a fenced in yard and need to take them out to go potty. Puppies aren't trained to run off at such a young age so it's safe to keep them on a leash.
Long Training Leash
A long training leash is completely different than just a basic leash. You can't use this one to take your puppy on walks, which is very important for them. So it's best to have a separate longer leash to help you train them easier.
Anti-Chew Spray
A puppy's teething stage is very stressful. They will not only chew your furniture but also your own valuables like your shoes and clothes. That's why anti-chew spray is a very handy tool. Just give a good spritz to anything around the house your puppy might chew. This spray isn't harmful, just keeps them away.
Poop Bags
You of course need the doggy poop bags. Don't want to leave your dogs mess on your neighbors yard when on walks!
Puppy Toothbrush and Toothpaste (or/also Dental Treats)
Can't forget about your puppy's hygiene. It all goes with good health. You never want to use human toothpaste to brush your dogs teeth. It's better to buy dog toothpaste plus they like the flavors much better! Yet sometimes it can be hard to brush your dogs teeth every night or remember to keep up with it. So another way to keep your dogs teeth clean is to just give them a dental stick to chew on each night.
Stain Remover
Potty training is something your going to have to train your new puppy on your own. But through that process there will be plenty of accidents. So make sure to have some pet stain remover ready!
Brush/Comb (for your puppy's fur type)
If you have a dog breed that doesn't shed then don't worry about this part. Yet most dog breeds do shed so you'll want to have brushes or combs to get off the extra fur every now and then depending on how much they shed. (You might also want a lint roller for your couches or chairs.)
Dog Nail Clippers
Another hygiene based tool is a nail clipper for your dog. Now for this you must be very careful. Dogs nails are extremely sensitive and if you cut in the nail bed it will cause bleeding and severe pain to your puppy.
Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
You of course want your puppy's coat looking shiny and clean. It's good to give your dog a bath occasionally so their fur won't get matted. Even if you keep up with brushing it's still important to get a bath in. Don't ever use human shampoo and conditioner, it can damage their fur and cause skin problems. Instead use a veterinary formula shampoo and conditioner that is safe and relieving for your puppy.
Dog Bed
This is an obvious add on to the list. Your puppy needs a comfortable place to snuggle up and sleep.
Dog crate (adjustable crates are best, they help with crate training)
A dog crate is a must have. It's a place to keep your dog when going out of for night time. This is mainly when their just a pup and you don't want them to destroy the whole house. It's also important because you must crate train your puppy so they don't form separation anxiety. Make sure when buying one you get an adjustable one. This is best because dogs don't go potty where they sleep. So if you give them just enough room to turn away they will hold it in, crate training them faster!
Training Clicker
A training device to help you train easier and faster. This tiny dog training clicker is a great way to train a new puppy. It makes a harmless high pitched noise getting them to listen. When they do a trick right using this you can give them a treat.
Playpen or Baby Gate
Play pens or baby gates are a good way to keep your puppy from immediately destroying your whole house. You can put the baby gates on the stairs so when they run up or down it they won't trip and get hurt.
Blankets
Blankets aren't quite a must have but still good to satisfy your new puppy. This is a good thing to keep them warm in their crate. Especially at such a young age, as they have just left their mother and litter mates, who used to keep them warm at night.
Toys (squeaky, ball, chew toy, puzzle, plush)
Every puppy needs their toys. This is definitely a mandatory. They will need this for teething, fun, and for thinking. Kong is a must have toy for a new teething pup!
How To Prepare To Puppy Proof Your House!
Puppies can be a lot to handle. Brace yourself for their teething stage. They will want to chew on everything! You need to make sure to keep them away from things they can tear up, or things that can harm them. Here are some tips to keep your home in tact and your pup safe.
- Rearrange or cover furniture. There are dog covers for your living room couch you can get. Make sure to move any fragile wobbly things on your furniture.
- Put a gate on the stairs so they don't get hurt trying to run up or down this too fast.
- It's best if your yard is fenced. If you have an in ground pool make sure to put a boundary around it or cover it so they don't fall in. Also make sure they don't have access to the ladder or steps with above ground pools.
- Make sure any electrical cords are out of their reach along with sharp things like kitchen knives.
- Keep shoes and clothing out of sight, especially dryer sheets, as these are toxic to all dogs.
- Make sure to have a self closing trash can or have it hidden away in a locked cabinet. It's best to keep all kitchen cabinets locked.
- If your dog breed sheds a lot make sure to have things like lint rollers, dusting mops, and brooms handy.
Decide On Your House Rules
It's time to decide on some house rules before bringing your new puppy home. You will need to decide things such as where your dog will sleep at night or if you want to allow your dog to be able to lay on the couch.
Everyone has different rules for their dog. Some don't mind the dog sleeping beside them on their bed, while some think it's best for them to sleep in their own bed. Whatever you decide on it's best to start training these rules to your puppy right when they come home with you.
How To Prepare For Puppy Health
At such a young age, medical conditions can pop up at any moment. You need to always keep a close eye on your puppy for a couple months after bringing them home. Make sure to schedule appointments with a vet you trust for checkups now and then.
If you spot any of the following from your puppy contact or visit your vet.
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Discharges from eyes or nose
- Unusual tiredness or lethargy
- Excessive rubbing or scratching
You also need to decide how you want to handle fleas, ticks, and heart worms. You can talk this over with your vet.
How To Prepare For When Your Puppy Comes Home
Now that you know everything you need to know regarding how to prepare for your new puppy, you can bring them home with you! When you first bring them home let them sniff everything at get used to their surroundings. If there are certain places in the house you don't want them to be allowed in or on, just simply move them away and say "no".
The first few nights will be the hardest. Especially if you don't allow your dog to sleep in your bed with you. They will whimper all night basically, but if you want to train them to sleep in their own bed you must not give in to the whimpers. Give them a few toys to keep them occupied.
You need to start training your puppy instantly. There are three mandatory things. You must get them to know their name. For the first few weeks call them their name over and over so they hear it a lot and get an understanding of it.
House training is the second thing. You don't want your dog doing their business all over your house. You must get into this early. Take them outside after they eat or if you see them sniffing around the house (this can mean they are trying to find a place to go potty). If they go outside reward them with a treat and say "good potty". This helps them know the command.
Lastly crate train them. This is very important. This helps so that your dog doesn't form strong separation anxiety.
Tips for crate training:
- Give them plenty of toys.
- Put a soft padding, either a blanket or towel, on their dog bed.
- Their crate shouldn't have too much extra space. You want it to have just enough room for them to be able to move and turn around. The reason for this is that dogs by instinct won't potty where they sleep, teaching them to hold it in.
How To Prepare Your Puppy For Socializing With Its New Family
Learning how to prepare your puppy for socializing with its new family is a huge priority for when your bring your puppy home. A new puppy needs to be socialized to everyone in your family so that when they are grown they don't have any aggression towards them. This especially goes for other pets, because if dogs don't get to know them growing up, they can form aggression later on towards them.
Also make sure you know who is responsible for taking care of the puppy. Who will clean up after them, or take them on walks, or teach them new tricks?
Creating Positive Bonds
It's always good to have a good strong bond with your new dog. The wrong way of doing this is yelling, scolding, hitting, or kicking, so make sure to avoid these methods. Yes, taking care of a new puppy will be frustrating and hard but you have to stay calm and know that your puppy is still learning. They don't know any better. So when they make mistakes just tell them no and don't reward them for it. While when they do good things, reward them with treats.
Now You Know How To Prepare For a Puppy!
You are now prepared to add this new puppy to the family. Getting a puppy is so exciting and fun! I hope this article told you everything you wanted to know. Enjoy committing all your time to the cute fluff ball!
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