Starting at the beginning, it is ideal to have already puppy-proofed the house and yard areas that the puppy will have access to before it even arrives at home. Any unsafe areas should be blocked off to prevent access, and in puppy-friendly areas there should be no electrical cords within mouth’s reach, nothing valuable that can’t take some teeth marks, nothing small enough to be a choking hazard, etc. Baby gates are great ways to block off rooms that the pup isn’t to be in as well as to confine the pup to a room that is safe and specifically for unsupervised time.
Get the whole family on the same page as to training methods, proper ways to handle unacceptable behaviors, where puppy supplies will be kept, when the pup is to be fed, etc. Set up the puppy’s area and get the basics and ground rules set in place before your new buddy is home, same as you would with a new baby. It just makes the whole process easier.
You should have a crate, bowls, food, a collar, leashes, enzyme neutralizer (for accidents), safe chewies and toys, some treats, a brush, nail clippers, pooper scooper, ID tag, puppy bathing wipes, and a veterinarian picked out with appointment set for an exam.
Having a designated ‘puppy supply’ area set up and known to all in the house will make getting things when needed more convenient.
The puppy bathing wipes are important as you do not want to bathe your pup too often. When possible, a good wipe-down is best. Bathing too frequently can strip essential oils from their skin and coat and cause issues. Ideally, twice a year is perfect for full baths, but it will likely be necessary more often than that. Try not to bathe more than monthly.
Get the whole family on the same page as to training methods, proper ways to handle unacceptable behaviors, where puppy supplies will be kept, when the pup is to be fed, etc. Set up the puppy’s area and get the basics and ground rules set in place before your new buddy is home, same as you would with a new baby. It just makes the whole process easier.
You should have a crate, bowls, food, a collar, leashes, enzyme neutralizer (for accidents), safe chewies and toys, some treats, a brush, nail clippers, pooper scooper, ID tag, puppy bathing wipes, and a veterinarian picked out with appointment set for an exam.
Having a designated ‘puppy supply’ area set up and known to all in the house will make getting things when needed more convenient.
The puppy bathing wipes are important as you do not want to bathe your pup too often. When possible, a good wipe-down is best. Bathing too frequently can strip essential oils from their skin and coat and cause issues. Ideally, twice a year is perfect for full baths, but it will likely be necessary more often than that. Try not to bathe more than monthly.
