Preparing for a Puppy

You’re getting a puppy! How exciting! Are you ready for the pup to come home? Let’s take a look at some things that you need to assess when getting ready to bring your new addition home.

Preparing for a Puppy

Money

Have you saved enough money for adoption fees, vet visits and all of the items like toys, kennels and food for your dog? It’s a good idea to save before you bring them home incase anything unexpected comes up.

Kennel

Be sure to purchase a kennel that is appropriate for your dog’s size. You may need to purchase two over time as your pup grows. If you allow too much space they may have too many accidents in the kennel. Kennels are great for potty training and become your pups own special place to call their on in the household.

Toys

Look into what toys are best for your dog’s breed. Dogs that love to chew need tougher toys than those who prefer to play fetch and just nibble on their toys such as stuffed animals.

Food

Do your research on pet food. Not all brands are created equal and it’s not a good idea to go with the cheapest one out there. Look for a brand within your budget that has wholesome ingredients without dyes. You’ll want to do the same with treats, or opt to make those at home. Treats can be made with flour and sweet potato along with a variety of other veggies. Or, check out these homemade Oatmeal, Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Treats. They are my pups very favorite!

Gates

Whether you live in an apartment or a house, you are going to have to acquire a baby gate at some point to keep your pet contained. They don’t always have to be in the kennel, sometimes you just need to keep them out of the kitchen or another room in your home.

Puppy proofing

Just as you do when your baby starts to crawl, it’s a good idea to move anything your pup could get into outside of their view and their reach. Books are great chew toys, stuffed animals are fun and wood furniture should be sprayed with no chew spray to be on the safe side. Anything a puppy can find, they will.

Training

Although some puppies do not need training classes, if you can’t the home often enough to properly train your dog, it might be a good idea to enroll in training classes for a few weeks to get the basics down. Playing dead and wiping paws can be taught on the weekends, but sit, stay and no jump are must haves from early on with any pup.

Talk with the family

Discuss the rules with your family. Where is the puppy allowed and not allowed? Who takes the puppy out and when? Who feeds them? Who plays with them? What words will you use for commands? It’s important to have everyone on the same page with all aspects of bringing home and training a puppy.

I hope that you enjoy your new puppy! Always remember to take things slow and have patience with pups, they don’t always catch on right away to what you want them to do and positive reinforcement is the best way to get them to learn.