Preparing for Your Puppy’s Arrival
Congratulations!! You’re getting a new puppy! Before your puppy even arrives at your house, one of the most important things that you can do is to properly prepare for your puppy’s arrival. First, you will want to make sure that you have all the essentials ready for the big day.
Shopping List
• Crate (just big enough for him to sleep in comfortably without feeling like he can make a bed in one side and a bathroom in the other)
• Towel or blanket or bed for inside the crate (something soft but easy to clean in the event of an accident)
• Some kind of covering for the top of the crate to make it cozy and a bit dark
• A stuffed animal to simulate being near his mom and litter mates
• Food and water bowls
• Collar for his tags
• 6 foot leash
• Puppy-safe toys and appropriate things to chew on
• At least a 2 week supply of the same diet he has been on in his current home
• Exercise pen or gates so that you can control the environment by creating spaces where you can give him some safe freedom while he is outside of the crate
Other Things to Do to Prepare
Make sure you’ve identified a veterinarian and set up an initial appointment to get your puppy checked out. Just like babies, puppies explore the world by putting it in their mouths, so you will want to make sure that you “puppy proof” the area where your puppy will be spending time. Remove any toxic substances, anything fragile that could get knocked over and broken, anything with small pieces that your puppy could swallow or choke on, and eliminate access to any electrical cords. Take a look outside in the area your puppy will be exploring. Research the plants and flowers that are in the immediate area to identify any that could be hazardous if ingested and make sure that you do not allow the puppy near those items. You may want to also remove sticks, small stones, and acorns, because your puppy initially will attempt to chew and eat them! You want to be able to enjoy your puppy, not be fishing item after item out of his mouth, so starting with a clean and puppy-proof setting enables you to do that. And then, I can help you teach your dog to leave those inappropriate items alone, once you’ve had an opportunity to get to know each other and get the puppy acclimated to your environment. If you’ve never had a puppy before, researching
puppy trainers and finding a good one (like
me!) to help you navigate the first 6 months is an excellent idea as well. My training comes with a lifetime guarantee of support, so I’m not just there for the first 6 months, I’m your resource for all things canine for the rest of your dog’s life!
Charlie takes a break during his puppy lesson.
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