A new puppy is one of the most exciting times in your life! It means sweet kisses and puppy snuggles are coming your way! Puppies require quite a bit of work, which is why we adopt the Boy Scout motto “to be prepared”. We’ve created a New Puppy Checklist so that your first few weeks will run much more smoothly.
1. Create your shopping list
We have a whole article dedicated to puppy supplies. Mainly you need a crate, food, and appropriate toys, including puzzle toys and kongs. We also recommend purchasing a collar, leash, and bed. It’s best to have all these pieces prior to your puppy coming home.
2. Puppy Proofing
As a new puppy owner, you will need to mentally and physically prepare that your puppy will be getting into mischief at every opportunity. Puppies explore the world with their mouth, so every hair tie and plastic toy on the ground is fair game. Plus, they have no understanding of the proper places to potty. The best thing you can do is provide the right spaces for play that will keep you from chasing a puppy all day and won’t frustrate you if an accident happens. Block off living spaces with baby gates or be prepared to tether your puppy with their leash to keep your puppy within eyesight. These spaces should be cleaned of anything breakable, expensive, or small enough that the puppy might choke. When you are not supervising your puppy, place them in their crate.
3. House Rules
Consistency is key in puppy training! Anyone handling the puppy in the household should be on the same page about puppy manners. Discuss where you want the puppy to potty outside, whether the puppy will be allowed on the furniture, and if you’ll allow the puppy to jump and playbite. If there are young children in the home, you should also go over the appropriate ways to handle the puppy. We recommend demonstrating with a toy dog. Make sure the children know how to pet appropriately and what to do in various puppy situations, such as if the puppy runs towards them, nips them, or wriggles away while they hug them.
4. Veterinary Appointment
When your puppy comes home, you’ll need to establish their primary veterinarian. It is recommended to visit the vet in the first week of your puppy being brought home. They’ll need to give your puppy a wellness exam and establish their vaccination schedule, so you should make your first appointment prior to bringing the puppy home.
5. Emotional Preparedness
Not the typical step to bringing home your new puppy, but it is an important one for any New Puppy Checklist. Puppies require a lot of time and patience. There will be lost sleep and plenty of frustration, whether that is from accidents in the house or painful nips on your hands. People compare raising a puppy to raising a toddler for a reason. On the other hand, do not forget to savor the small moments. Puppyhood is also a magical time of wiggle butts, warm snuggles, and a wonder of the world you only see through the eyes of the young. The puppy stage is over in a blink of an eye, so it is important to enjoy the ride!
If you are feeling overwhelmed with your new puppy or would like a consultation prior to your puppy coming home, contact us! We can create a personalized housebreaking plan, help you create New Puppy Checklist, teach you how to crate train, and tackle any other puppy concerns you have.
