Is it time to bring your furry new family member home? Whether you’re adding another dog to your family or inviting your first canine companion into your home, prepare for lots of love and excitement. Dogs enrich your home and heart with happiness. Their playful energy, desire to be outdoors, and overall loving personalities bring out the best in their humans. Having a canine to safeguard your house allows you to sleep peacefully as your pup lies at your feet or in their new fluffy bed as they keep watch over their new home. Welcome your new best friend into your home with a few simple steps to get started on the right paw!
1. Purchase the Products You Will Need
The first thing any proud pup parent will want to do is select and buy all the best and necessary items for their puppy’s homecoming! Your canine will need basic essentials to thrive in their first few weeks in a new place. What will you need?
- Collar and Leash
- Dog Food and Water
- Water and Food Bowls
- Dog Bed
- Potty Training Pads
- Chew Toys
- Deshedding Brush
- Shampoo
- Nail Clippers
- Kennel
- Reflective Vest
- Treats
- Cleanup Supplies
Having chew toys on hand is essential for the success of your puppy. They help prevent the destruction of household objects while they are teething, while also keeping your canine’s pearly new teeth as clean as possible.
2. Puppy-Proof Your Home
Your puppy is going to be a curious ball of energy! They’ll be hankering to explore their new surroundings and may scurry into a situation that gets them in trouble. Just like a child, their nose or paw can get injured by electrical outlets. Puppy-proofing your home is the only foolproof method to ensure your paw-pal stays safe. How can I protect my puppy?
- Unplug electrical cords, gate off areas when they are in use, and cap off outlets.
- Close your toilet or bathroom door.
- Keep doors and windows shut.
- Secure trash can by moving it to a higher location or setting it in a closet.
- Put away choking hazards — such as clips, bottle caps, corks, markers, etc.
- Store medication in a secure location.
- Avoid feeding human food — especially chocolate, grapes, avocado, and other potentially poisonous foods for dogs.
- Keep poisonous plants out of paw’s reach.
3. Find a Vet
Locating a veterinarian for your puppy will be one of your primary priorities as a dog parent. Dogs need annual vaccinations and checkups to guarantee they stay healthy and by your side for as long as possible.
What should I be looking for when I find a vet? Consider your dog’s age, your budget, how close they are to your home, if they offer a doggy health plan, and any other essentials your dog may need.
4. Set Up Your Home for Your Puppy’s Arrival
Deciding what kind of bed to buy your puppy is one of the pleasures of being a new paw parent. You can bring your dog to a conventional retail store or surprise them with a bed when they arrive home! Picking a bed that can fit in their crate will make it more appealing for your new puppy as they are being trained and if they need to be kept in there temporarily as you run errands.
Ensure their bowls are set up, the bed is in a neutral place, and that toys are strewn around the house to treat them to paw-ridise when they get home.
5. Set a Schedule
Puppies are like infants in that they need to go to the bathroom every 1 to 2 hours as they are potty trained. They should be walked in the middle of the night and between meals throughout the day. Create a schedule that is easily obtainable for you. Taking your puppy frequently to the park or to romp around in the backyard is a twofer solution as it gives them an outlet for their energy, while also freeing them to take a potty break.
Happy Tails, Never Fails
Your puppy can’t wait to join you at home! They’re excited to share their days and their tail wags with you furever. Providing the fundamentals ensures their success with their human best friend.
