Preparing for your puppy
What you'll need
Get the supplies and equipment you'll need. Here's a list:
Wire or plastic dog crate.
- Easily washable, hard-to-destroy bedding material, imitation sheepskin works well slip-proof, stainless steel or hard plastic food & water dishes also water bottle.
Buckle puppy collar & lead; I like the soft braided
nylon types. ID Tag with your phone number to wear on the collar
A collection of high quality, safe chew toys: Puppy
Nylabones, Cressite rubber balls or bones and sturdy stuffed squeak toys.
- Grooming supplies: ask your breeder for recommendations. I do have a list on the grooming page. A wire, wooden or plastic “baby gate” for blocking doorways. A good book on puppy care & training. Read through them before bringing your puppy home.
Puppy-proof your home.
Raising a puppy is a lot like
raising small children -- they get into everything! Some of what they get into can be hazardous to their health or to your possessions. You can make life safer for the puppy and your furniture by getting rid of hazards and temptations ahead
of time.
To a puppy, the world is brand new and fascinating! He's seeing
it all for the very first time and absolutely everything must be thoroughly investigated. Puppies do most of their investigating with their mouths -- "Look at this! What is it? Something to eat? Something to play with?" Murphy's Law says that a puppy will be most attracted to the things he should least have -- electrical cords, the fringe on your expensive oriental rug, your brand new running shoes, etc.
Preventing destructive and dangerous chewing is easier than
trying to correct the puppy every second. Look around your home. What objects could be put up out of the way of a curious puppy? Bitter Apple spray can be applied to furniture legs, woodwork and other immovable items. Are there rooms your puppy should be restricted from entering until he's better trained and more
reliable? Install a baby gate or keep the doors to those rooms
closed.
Take a walk around your yard looking for potential hazards. If
your yard is fenced, check the boundaries and gates for openings that could be potential escape routes. Puppies can get through smaller places than an adult dog. If your yard's not fenced, make a resolution right now that your puppy will never be allowed to run off lead without close supervision. He won't ever know
enough to look both ways before crossing the street to chase a squirrel. Keep him safe by keeping him on leash!
Use a schedule - Work out a schedule for you and
the puppy. Housetraining is much easier when the puppy's meals, exercise and playtime are on a regular schedule throughout the day. Housebreaking is a whole subject in itself. Your book on puppy care and training should have a section on housebreaking with suggestions and a recommended schedule. Read through it and create a game plan before the puppy arrives. Many people like to bring their puppies home on a weekend in order to devote extra time to settling in and housebreaking those
first few days.
Everybody needs their own place - Decide where to put the dog crate, and have it set up and ready for his arrival. Where to keep the crate will depend on what's most convenient for you as well as the puppy's response. Many puppies don't like to be isolated in one part of the house while their family is in another but some puppies won't settled down in their crates if there's too much activity going on around them. You might have to experiment with different
locations until you learn what works best for both you and the
puppy.
Visit your vet - Make an appointment with your veterinarian to give the puppy a complete checkup within 72 hours of your purchase. If you don't have a vet yet, ask the breeder or local kennel club for a recommendation. Although the puppy has most likely been health-checked by the breeder (or should've been!), an exam is additional security against health defects, problems that weren't apparent the first time. If your vet offers microchip ID implants, this an excellent time to get one!
Ask questions! - Use your puppy's breeder as a
valuable resource for advice and information. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The breeder wants your relationship with your puppy to be successful and can offer many tips based on years of experience.
A collar, leash, dog tags and a gentle leader.
Treats for training. Cheese and apple bits might also be used.
Water and food bowl and water bottle ( less messy ).
Dog bed.
Dog brush, comb, shampoo, nail clippers, canine toothbrush
and ear cleaner.
Chew toys, hard rubber ball, stuffed toy, gong, mylaflex
bone.
Crate, washable blankets and a baby gate to keep the dog
confined to certain rooms.
White vinegar, canine spot remover, odor remover and a good
lint brush to remove dog fur from your clothes and furniture.
Canine first aid supplies, training book, and breed
information.
Bitter apple to deter inappropriate chewing.
First Aid Supplies for Puppy
Though you plan on taking good care of you new puppy,
sometimes accidents occur. You will need a puppy first aid kit. Make one using an old fishing tackle box or a small tote. Here is a list of supplies that you will need to add to the kit.
- Phone number of you veterinarian. If possible, include his
home phone number or that of the vet that will be on call after hours. Phone number for a local poison control center, or the one for the National Animal Poison Center. Check to find phone number for the one in your country. If you have trouble obtaining the number, ask you vet and he will give it to you.
Water soluble lubricating jelly
The following bandaging tools: gauze, adhesive tape, canine antiseptic spray or swabs, adhesive bandages, sterile wound dressings and a roller bandage.
Cortisone cream.
Rectal thermometer.
Tweezers and blunt end scissors.
Diarrhea medication.
Hydrogen Peroxide, 3%. This will induce vomiting if your puppy ingests something that is poison.
Children’s antihistamine tablets or liquid.
Activated charcoal powder. This also induces vomiting if you puppy is poisoned. Ask you veterinarian about dosage.
A portable dog carrier containing a blanket, a muzzle, clean bottled water. This must be stored in a cool, dry place. It is most useful if you have to take your puppy to the vet in an emergency situation.
Benadryl for allergic reactions to bee stings and other allergic reactions.
Collar and Leash
While most new dog owners pick a leash and collar based on appearance, you should take into consideration the functionality of the equipment and the type of training you plan to do with your dog. Choosing a dog collar and dog leash for your puppy.
Dishes for Food and Water
Every puppy supply list should include quality dishes for food and water and water bottle. There’s a wide variety of materials and styles to choose from. You should pick bowls that work with the physical characteristics of your dog such as an elevated dish for bigger dogs or a tapered bowl for those with long ears.
Indestructible Chew Toy
Puppies like to mouth and chew on things, so have a few chew-approved items around. You don’t want to come home to teeth marks on your chair legs or the shredded remains of new running shoes. dog chew toys.
Dog Crate
Crate training is the easiest way to foster good house training habits. A crate can also serve as a safe, comfortable place to keep your puppy while you’re away from home or when you travel with him.
choosing a dog crate.
Grooming Tools
These are puppy products that are often overlooked, but they’re a necessity for nearly all dogs. Even if your puppy will be professionally groomed, you should buy a brush and nail clippers. Regular grooming sessions not
only keep your dog’s coat healthy, they help build his trust in you as pack leader. You can visit our Dog Grooming section for more information on basic grooming tasks.
Name tag, No puppy or dog should be without an id tag. Whether you opt for a simple name tag, a tattoo, or an implanted microchip, make sure your puppy can be traced back to you if he’s ever lost.
This is a basic list of supplies for a new puppy, but you may want to
have other items on hand to make caring for your pet easier. A pooper scooper, a folding gate to confine your puppy to a particular room, puppy wipes and chemical deodorizers for accidents are all good purchases.
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a puppy product to keep your pet happy. Once you have the essentials, wait a few weeks and see what else he needs. You don’t want to buy something that never gets used. Also, your puppy can quickly outgrow collars, crates, and other items so purchase with his adult size in mind.
Make a dog care schedule
A schedule helps your dog and kids understand your expectations. Your dog can get to know his new pack quickly when there’s a routine, and your kids will know what they need to do to care for him. Determine who’s responsible for the following tasks and when they should be done each day.
Make a to do list.
When the kids should feed the dog Generally, puppies less than six months old should be fed three times a day, dogs between six and twelve months should be fed twice daily, and dogs older than a year should be fed once or twice a day. Ask your veterinarian for specific guidelines for your dog.
When the dog should be walked Scheduled bathroom breaks speed the house training process and ensure someone does the job that’s least likely to get done.
How often the kids play with the dog and for how long
Plan at least twenty minutes of exercise daily to keep your dog
healthy and out of trouble. Play times should include obedience training so your kids learn how to handle a dog properly and your dog learns to obey commands from everyone, not just you.
Set activity zones Designated help establish your dog’s routine and eliminate confusion about what your kids are allowed to do with him and where. Assign the activities that make up your dog’s day to particular areas in and around your house. Also, let the kids know which rooms the dog is allowed into and which are off-limits. Important places to note include:
Where the dog sleeps
Where he eats
Where he goes to the bathroom
Where he should be kept when he can’t be supervise
For your dog’s safety, take time to puppy proof your house and these areas before you bring him home.
Teach kids respect for dogs
Once your kids have been assigned their tasks and understand the basic rules of dog care, they should be taught how to treat dogs with respect. Make it clear that roughhousing, ear-pulling, poking, smothering hugs, and other such behavior can hurt the dog or cause him to bite. You can use a stuffed animal to explain to younger children how to pet and hold a puppy
without traumatizing your dog. Learn more about children and dog bite prevention.
By setting the rules before you adopt a dog for kids, you can commit
them to doing some of the work in caring for their pet, make your dog feel welcome in his new pack, and keep everyone safe
Vet Your puppy is going to require regular visits to the veterinarian so you want to establish good habits from the start.
- Schedule your puppy’s first appointment as early in the morning
as possible, preferably when the clinic opens or when there are fewer people. Since your puppy hasn't completed his vaccinations, he’s susceptible to diseases. You don’t want to expose him to other dogs in the waiting area. Scheduling an appointment when the clinic is less active will also help ease the anxiety your puppy will feel in a strange environment.
During the veterinarian’s examination keep your puppy calm and
relaxed. Praise him softly during the exam and afterwards. Keep an upbeat, pleasant tone. If he starts to make a fuss, don’t coddle him or be overly sympathetic. You’ll only reinforce the behavior and likely make it worse on your next visit. Simply get your puppy’s attention with a quick wave of your hand or other movement. Be mindful of what behavior you’re rewarding as you offer praise. You want your puppy to remember the veterinarian’s as a pleasant
place to be.
What to expect and what to bring Your puppy’s first visit to the veterinarian will involve a basic health check and his first set of vaccinations. Your puppy will be weighed and given the once over to check his coat, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth and
gums.
You may need to bring a stool sample for your veterinarian to
test for parasites. Also, take along any health records or documentation you received from the breeder. This will give the vet a sense of your puppy’s previous care and help him establish an appropriate health regimen.
Make sure you’re clear on any directions or recommendations your
veterinarian offers. Get them in writing if necessary. You should also ask any questions you have about caring for your puppy. You've likely survived the first night or two with him and now would be a good time to get answers for any issues
that may have come up during that time.
You want to make sure that your puppy is happy and healthy, which
means regular visits to the veterinarian. By taking the time to make your puppy’s first visit to the vet as calm and relaxing as possible, you’ll be on the path to making every trip to the vet stress-free for you and your puppy. - Hope this was helpful for you.
- Anything i did not cover for you just ask.
Buckle puppy collar & lead; I like the soft braided
nylon types. ID Tag with your phone number to wear on the collar
A collection of high quality, safe chew toys: Puppy
Nylabones, Cressite rubber balls or bones and sturdy stuffed squeak toys.
Puppy-proof your home.
Raising a puppy is a lot like
raising small children -- they get into everything! Some of what they get into can be hazardous to their health or to your possessions. You can make life safer for the puppy and your furniture by getting rid of hazards and temptations ahead
of time.
To a puppy, the world is brand new and fascinating! He's seeing
it all for the very first time and absolutely everything must be thoroughly investigated. Puppies do most of their investigating with their mouths -- "Look at this! What is it? Something to eat? Something to play with?" Murphy's Law says that a puppy will be most attracted to the things he should least have -- electrical cords, the fringe on your expensive oriental rug, your brand new running shoes, etc.
Preventing destructive and dangerous chewing is easier than
trying to correct the puppy every second. Look around your home. What objects could be put up out of the way of a curious puppy? Bitter Apple spray can be applied to furniture legs, woodwork and other immovable items. Are there rooms your puppy should be restricted from entering until he's better trained and more
reliable? Install a baby gate or keep the doors to those rooms
closed.
Take a walk around your yard looking for potential hazards. If
your yard is fenced, check the boundaries and gates for openings that could be potential escape routes. Puppies can get through smaller places than an adult dog. If your yard's not fenced, make a resolution right now that your puppy will never be allowed to run off lead without close supervision. He won't ever know
enough to look both ways before crossing the street to chase a squirrel. Keep him safe by keeping him on leash!
Use a schedule
the puppy. Housetraining is much easier when the puppy's meals, exercise and playtime are on a regular schedule throughout the day. Housebreaking is a whole subject in itself. Your book on puppy care and training should have a section on housebreaking with suggestions and a recommended schedule. Read through it and create a game plan before the puppy arrives. Many people like to bring their puppies home on a weekend in order to devote extra time to settling in and housebreaking those
first few days.
Everybody needs their own place
locations until you learn what works best for both you and the
puppy.
Visit your vet
Ask questions!
valuable resource for advice and information. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The breeder wants your relationship with your puppy to be successful and can offer many tips based on years of experience.
Treats for training. Cheese and apple bits might also be used.
Water and food bowl and water bottle ( less messy ).
Dog bed.
Dog brush, comb, shampoo, nail clippers, canine toothbrush
and ear cleaner.
Chew toys, hard rubber ball, stuffed toy, gong, mylaflex
bone.
Crate, washable blankets and a baby gate to keep the dog
confined to certain rooms.
White vinegar, canine spot remover, odor remover and a good
lint brush to remove dog fur from your clothes and furniture.
Canine first aid supplies, training book, and breed
information.
Bitter apple to deter inappropriate chewing.
First Aid Supplies for Puppy
Though you plan on taking good care of you new puppy,
sometimes accidents occur. You will need a puppy first aid kit. Make one using an old fishing tackle box or a small tote. Here is a list of supplies that you will need to add to the kit.
home phone number or that of the vet that will be on call after hours. Phone number for a local poison control center, or the one
Water soluble lubricating jelly
The following bandaging tools: gauze, adhesive tape, canine antiseptic spray or swabs, adhesive bandages, sterile wound dressings and a roller bandage.
Cortisone cream.
Rectal thermometer.
Tweezers and blunt end scissors.
Diarrhea medication.
Hydrogen Peroxide, 3%. This will induce vomiting if your puppy ingests something that is poison.
Children’s antihistamine tablets or liquid.
Activated charcoal powder. This also induces vomiting if you puppy is poisoned. Ask you veterinarian about dosage.
A portable dog carrier containing a blanket, a muzzle, clean bottled water. This must be stored in a cool, dry place. It is most useful if you have to take your puppy to the vet in an emergency situation.
Benadryl for allergic reactions to bee stings and other allergic reactions.
Collar and Leash
Dishes for Food and Water
Indestructible Chew Toy
Dog Crate
choosing a dog crate.
Grooming Tools
only keep your dog’s coat healthy, they help build his trust in you as pack leader. You can visit our Dog Grooming section for more information on basic grooming tasks.
Name tag, No puppy or dog should be without an id tag. Whether you opt for a simple name tag, a tattoo, or an implanted microchip, make sure your puppy can be traced back to you if he’s ever lost.
This is a basic list of supplies for a new puppy, but you may want to
have other items on hand to make caring for your pet easier. A pooper scooper, a folding gate to confine your puppy to a particular room, puppy wipes and chemical deodorizers for accidents are all good purchases.
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a puppy product to keep your pet happy. Once you have the essentials, wait a few weeks and see what else he needs. You don’t want to buy something that never gets used. Also, your puppy can quickly outgrow collars, crates, and other items so purchase with his adult size in mind.
Make a dog care schedule
A schedule helps your dog and kids understand your expectations. Your dog can get to know his new pack quickly when there’s a routine, and your kids will know what they need to do to care for him. Determine who’s responsible for the following tasks and when they should be done each day.
Make a to do list.
When the dog should be walked Scheduled bathroom breaks speed the house training process and ensure someone does the job that’s least likely to get done.
How often the kids play with the dog and for how long
healthy and out of trouble. Play times should include obedience training so your kids learn how to handle a dog properly and your dog learns to obey commands from everyone, not just you.
Set activity zones Designated help establish your dog’s routine and eliminate confusion about what your kids are allowed to do with him and where. Assign the activities that make up your dog’s day to particular areas in and around your house. Also, let the kids know which rooms the dog is allowed into and which are off-limits. Important places to note include:
Where the dog sleeps
Where he eats
Where he goes to the bathroom
Where he should be kept when he can’t be supervise
without traumatizing your dog. Learn more about children and dog bite prevention.
By setting the rules before you adopt a dog for kids, you can commit
them to doing some of the work in caring for their pet, make your dog feel welcome in his new pack, and keep everyone safe
as possible, preferably when the clinic opens or when there are fewer people. Since your puppy hasn't completed his vaccinations, he’s susceptible to diseases. You don’t want to expose him to other dogs in the waiting area. Scheduling an appointment when the clinic is less active will also help ease the anxiety your puppy will feel in a strange environment.
During the veterinarian’s examination keep your puppy calm and
relaxed. Praise him softly during the exam and afterwards. Keep an upbeat, pleasant tone. If he starts to make a fuss, don’t coddle him or be overly sympathetic. You’ll only reinforce the behavior and likely make it worse on your next visit. Simply get your puppy’s attention with a quick wave of your hand or other movement. Be mindful of what behavior you’re rewarding as you offer praise. You want your puppy to remember the veterinarian’s as a pleasant
place to be.
What to expect and what to bring Your puppy’s first visit to the veterinarian will involve a basic health check and his first set of vaccinations. Your puppy will be weighed and given the once over to check his coat, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth and
gums.
You may need to bring a stool sample for your veterinarian to
test for parasites. Also, take along any health records or documentation you received from the breeder. This will give the vet a sense of your puppy’s previous care and help him establish an appropriate health regimen.
Make sure you’re clear on any directions or recommendations your
veterinarian offers. Get them in writing if necessary. You should also ask any questions you have about caring for your puppy. You've likely survived the first night or two with him and now would be a good time to get answers for any issues
that may have come up during that time.
You want to make sure that your puppy is happy and healthy, which
means regular visits to the veterinarian. By taking the time to make your puppy’s first visit to the vet as calm and relaxing as possible, you’ll be on the path to making every trip to the vet stress-free for you and your puppy.