Preparing to bring your puppy home
Bringing a new puppy into your household is a big commitment. First-time puppy owners are often filled with questions about how to care for their furry new companions. Preparing your home for a puppy before you bring him home will help ensure that you and your puppy will adjust smoothly to the new living environment.
The following checklist is designed to help new puppy owners prepare for the arrival of a new furry family member:
– Buy puppy food, water and food bowls, collar and leash before you bring the puppy home. These basic items are essential for any dog owner. Other items you may want to consider are bedding, house training pads, treats, grooming items, cleaning bags, carpet/upholstery cleaner, and puppy-safe chews.
-Puppy Proof the house. Puppies are full of curiosity and chewing is one way they explore objects. Unfortunately, your puppy will not be equipped with the ability to differentiate between his chew toy and your expensive shoes. That’s why removing items you don’t want your pup to leave a trail on is an important step in puppy-proofing your home. Some tips for protecting puppies are:
1. Remove stray items from the floor of your home and plan to keep the area clear of clutter
throughout the puppy’s life (shoes, clothes and toys are good examples).
2. Cover, remove, or store electrical cords that are within your pup’s reach.
3. Keep all household cleaners, insect repellents and other chemicals safely stored away.
4. Make sure all plants in your home are safe by checking with your veterinarian.
5. Pay close attention to potential hazards on the outside of your home as well.
-Stock up on chew toys. The more chew toys your puppy has access to, the less likely he is to chew on your valuables. Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs and especially for young puppies. Praise your puppy when she chews on toys that are hers, and she’ll soon learn what’s fair game and what’s off limits.
-Purchase an appropriately sized crate. If you plan to crate train your dog, puppyhood is the best time to do so. Crate training allows your dog to adjust to being in a crate so that it exhibits good behavior in situations such as boarding, flying on an airplane, and going to the vet when a kennel stay may be unavoidable. It is important to create a positive association with the crate and never use it as punishment. Many dogs learn to love their crates and use them willingly for naps or sleep at night.
– Establish rules to live by. Your puppy will learn the house rules much faster if they are consistent from the start. Decide on the rules your puppy must follow before you bring him home. For example, is she allowed on the furniture? Will she sleep in your bed at night? What area will she be confined to as a puppy? Implementing structure right away will prevent your puppy from developing bad habits that will become increasingly frustrating as he grows.
Puppies are incredibly energetic and curious, and surprises are part of the adventure of having one in your home. Even if you carefully check off every item on this list and feel fully prepared for the arrival of your new canine companion, your pup may find mischief in places you overlooked. Make sure you supervise your puppy at all times when she is roaming freely in your home.
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