8 Steps to Prep for Your New Puppy

You’re excited to get your new puppy home and start your new life with this loveable little creature.  I’m sure he’s just as eager to get home as well. A key to success for you and your furry little friend is preparing your home for his arrival.  Just like bringing a toddler home, there are some things that will need to change to keep both of you happy and safe.  We’ve compiled a list of the top things to get ready for his arrival.

Collar and Leash

A good collar and a leash are essential to dog ownership and crucial to getting your dog started with correct training. You’ll also likely want to go for walks with your new puppy outdoors.  A leash is also needed when training your dog to obey basic commands. Choose a collar that can adjust as your dog grows and a durable leash to go with it.

Gates & Barriers

You’ll want to decide what parts of the house the dog is allowed to be in.  Once you have a plan you’ll need gate to keep your new pup from venturing into areas he should not be going to. This is a vital step in teaching your new puppy was is and is not allowed and also saving yourself the heartache of items being eaten or destroyed. As these will likely be temporary consider gates that use tension to attach to the walls and won’t leave permanent marks or holes in your walls.

Crate

Dogs are naturally crated animals and represent a secure place for a puppy to rest and sleep. A crate can be very useful in housebreaking a new dog because dogs won’t soil his crate unless the owner fails to take him outside at regular intervals. The crate also acts as a safe place that you can leave him alone for short periods of time. The crate should be large enough to allow the dog to stand in it and turn around. To learn more about crate training, please read our crate training article here. To learn more about crates check out our posts, How to Crate Train your Dog and  Making Your Dog’s Crate Comfortable 

Food

Your little puppy is of course going to want to eat.  A typical puppy will need to eat two to three times a day. Consult your breeder or a veterinarian about your puppy’s diet. Choose a good quality dog food brand for puppies.  Also, make sure to grab 2 bows (one for food and one for water). You’ll also need a good supply of healthy treats, which will come in handy when you begin to train your puppy.

Toys

Puppy life would not be complete without the toys. Your new puppy will be curious and active, and toys are an excellent outlet.  Your new puppy will have lots of energy and giving him an approved outlet to play is important. Hard rubber toys, rope toys, and flavored synthetic bones are particularly good for unsupervised play. Soft-stuffed toys and tennis balls are fine, as long as you keep an eye on your puppy. Be careful of smaller toys or items as a puppy can easily ingest these and hurt himself.

Cleaning Supplies

It’s not all fun and games with a new puppy; you’ll eventually be faced with some messes to clean up. You’ll want some supplies on hand to clean up puppy accidents as soon as they occur. Stock up on paper towels, cleaning cloths, and commercial cleaners designed to clean up typical dog messes. These work great at keeping areas clean as well as odor-free.

Introductions

You are now ready to take your new puppy home and introduce him to his new home and family. Introductions can be hard for some breeds so we recommend taking it slow. If your home is large, consider starting with a smaller section for now. You’ll want to make sure your new puppy knows where to find his food, water, crate, and sleeping spot.  If possible introduce family members one at a time, giving your new furry friend time to get acquainted with the home and the new people. This introduction period can last up to a week or more; during this time keep an eye on him at all times.  You’ll want to make sure that he’s supervised or, at the very least, in view; this gives you the chance to address bad behavior and put a stop to it quickly before it becomes a habit.

Begin Training

The old adage “It’s never too early to start reinforcing good behavior” holds true here, especially with new puppies.  We recommend keeping a close eye on your dog for the first few weeks.  It’s also a great idea to start with treats and rewards and to gently correct undesirable behavior. When you’re ready, the next step is to begin teaching your dog some basic commands, here is our guide to the 7 Basic Commands every Puppy Should Know