Bringing home a puppy for the first time is like bringing a new child into the family. There are a lot of things that you need to prepare for mentally and physically before bringing a new dog home.
When adopting your puppy from a shelter or getting them from a breeder, go to a place that you trust and have visited multiple times before you bring the dog home.
You can identify a good breeder or shelter through word of mouth, and any friends or family members you have, that have past experiences with dogs.
While everything might be new and exciting for the first time, it is important to do thorough research about the breed that you plan to get before getting the new puppy home for the first time.
Knowing about your dog, their genetic make up and the background that they are coming from is essential for you as a pet parent to be aware of. This not only helps you understand your dog better as you spend a future with them, it is essential when it comes to training your puppy for the first time as well.
Before you get the puppy home you need to ask yourself some tough questions and see if you can honestly answer the majority of them.
1. Will I be able to afford the expenses of a new pet?
2. Do I have the time and patience to train a new puppy?
3. Will a spouse or parent look after my pet when I am not around or traveling?
4. Do I have a vet I trust nearby?
5. Is my house suitable for the breed I plan to get?
6. Will I be able to provide the adequate exercise the pup needs?
7. Will I be able to make sure all my dog’s meals are provided at a steady time, even if I live alone…
If you are certain you can manage and are able to do so then the next step is to prepare your home for your new four-legged member.
It is important that first and foremost you puppy-proof your house by keeping away small objects and things that they can easily chew and get their paws on that might be valuable to you, but hazardous to them. Having the right items ahead of time will instill a sense of confidence, and help you at any point of time.
Purchasing a crate and adopting the crate training method is crucial for a puppy in their early years as it establishes clear boundaries between owner and pet. If you aim to bring up a well balanced dog the key to doing so is training them early.
You need to be ready with the right supplies in hand when you get the puppy, so ask yourself if you have purchased the following items:
1. A good water bowl and food bowl for your pup
2. Poop bags/ Pee pad
3. A meal plan for them, groceries for their meals, packeted dog food, etc.
4. Some puppy-friendly toys that they might like, and chew treats.
5. A sturdy dog crate to sleep and eat meals in
6. A placemat
7. A leash and collar, with a name tag and your number
8. A small brush to groom them
9. Toilet paper and wet wipes to clean up any messes.
10. Any supplements the vet has provided.
If you have asked yourself these questions and gone forward with the second checklist, the next step would be to either train your new puppy yourself or seek out the help of a professional trainer.
You are all set!
