So sweet, so cute. You just have to have it.
Well, your new puppy is home with you. Now what?
The best plan is to have been prepared with some of the puppy’s basic needs. Although some of these things will be pretty obvious, we want to be as comprehensive as possible within the confines of a short article.
Basic Puppy Supplies
A bowl of food and a bowl of water.
Puppy food. See if an automatic feeder could come in handy if you’re out all day. And do not forget about the treats that are very useful for training.
A place for your pup to sleep and play when you’re not around to keep an eye on him. This is a good time to start crate training, so if you do, the best thing to do is get a crate large enough to allow for the puppy’s growth.
Lots of puppy toys. Your pup will want to play and chew.
Collar and leash. Daily exercise is essential. For puppies, a retractable leash is very useful. Don’t forget the disposable bags for cleanup.
Now is the time to find a vet you are comfortable with. His pup will need injections and medication for heartworms etc.
Toilet supplies. And get ready for the puppy to grow up.
A lot of newspapers, for the box or the bedding. Stay away from colored inks.
To discourage chewing on certain items, purchase a recommended spray product that is not harmful to your pup or the item you spray him on.
It is important to understand that from day one you will be training your puppy. Teaching them positive reinforcement early on will make both of your lives easier. Puppies love treats. I’m sure you’ve seen animal trainers reward their animal after performing tricks for an audience. No matter how many times the trick has been performed over the years, the trainer still gives out a prize. You will never be spoiling your dog by giving him a treat after he responds to your commands.
We’ve gone over some basic necessities you only need for your pooch. But now you need to take a good look at your house. It’s time to ‘puppy proof’ your home. In many ways, it’s not unlike having a toddler around who is starting to explore. They want to touch everything and stick their fingers in places that could hurt them. And just like your puppy, everything goes right into their mouths. So it’s up to you to protect them from harm and not have to get upset when something valuable… becomes worthless.
Dangerous items for puppies. Pieces of string, ribbon or yarn. Paper clips, staples, rubber bands, erasers, plastic bags, twist ties. Coins, game pieces, breakable ornaments. Cotton balls, q tips, dental floss, any pill and pill bottle. In general, anything small that can easily fit in your pups’ mouths. You really don’t want the stress and expense of a sick pup.
Household cleaning products, automobiles, and chemicals in general are poisons. Be sure to store them in a secure cabinet.
Be aware of toxic houseplants, at least for your pup, like mistletoe, poinsettia, philodendron. Toxic outdoor plants include azalea, daffodil, hydrangea, lily, and tomato. Do a quick check on any other plants you may have. And be careful with your gardening supplies and general lawn maintenance. Are you using a potentially toxic fertilizer, for example?
Have securely covered trash cans and bins both inside and outside your home.
Keep toilet lids closed and secure so as not to tempt your pup to drink from the bowl. Depending on their size, they will most likely fall into the bowl trying to drink from it. While this may sound like a lot of fun, it can also lead to hygiene/health issues for the whole family.
I can’t say enough about electrical cords and puppies. From one perspective, puppies are wonderful things to chew on. Make sure you keep them out of their reach. Also be aware of other cords dangling from blinds and curtains, they will eventually find them and do what puppies do.
It’s also a good idea to keep kitchen counters clear of food you don’t want to share, or any food periods, to reduce temptation for dogs.
The bottom line is that you now have a new addition to your home, and the way you did things probably won’t work as easily. From the pups’ perspective, it’s a whole new world, they want to explore it. They don’t know that that’s a hundred dollar vase, or that that thing over there is a family heirloom, or that those things over there are very dangerous. You can’t be mad at them for your mistakes. And it’s a mistake to assume that your cute little pup won’t cause, or what you think is, a disaster.
It just takes a little work and forethought to be able to spend more time bonding with your pup instead of having to go through hours of frustrating hindsight.