Choosing to adopt a dog for the first time is an important decision that demands thoughtful deliberation. Indeed, the idea of bringing a new furry friend into your life is very exciting, yet it’s important to be aware of the life-changing effects it will bring about. Should you decide to bring a puppy into your family, it’s crucial to get ready and acquaint yourself with what this involves, as it is a bit different from adopting an older dog.
As there can be lots to think about in the build-up to bringing home a puppy, below is a quick guide to a few of the essentials so that you can ensure they settle in well, stay safe, and have their long-term health considered from day one. The better you plan for their arrival, the sooner you can enjoy the happiness every pup can bring.
Sorting Out Puppy Healthcare Early
Even though it’s the early days of ownership, you’ll want to be on top of anything health-related when it comes to your pup. One of the first things you’ll need to arrange is a vet visit so your puppy can be fully checked over to ensure they are fit and healthy. This ideally should be done within 48 hours of bringing them home, so if you haven’t found a suitable vet yet, you can do so on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) website and find one in your local area.
Whilst they should be free from any health issues, dogs of any age can suffer unexpected problems, even when you’ve done everything you can to try and prevent this. That’s why even when they are fit and healthy as a puppy you should think about pet insurance early on. The sooner you search for good pet insurance policies that can comprehensively cover accidents and illnesses and compare coverage such as lifetime cover from Petgevity, you can be completely prepared just in case you need to visit the vet in an emergency.
Once you have found a vet, you’ll also be able to arrange other essential things such as their regular vaccinations, microchipping, and discuss neutering or spaying. They’ll also become your go-to for any questions regarding your pup, as they’ll be able to give you the correct advice, especially as a first-time owner. Having this reassurance can be priceless whenever you have a concern about your dog’s health.
Preparing Your Home for Your New Puppy
As it is your first experience with a dog, you’ll need to think about your current setup at home. It needs to be a welcoming environment for them that provides everything they’ll need as well as their own space. Think about it from their point of view – it’s a completely new adventure for them that can be challenging, a little bit scary, and full of new sights, sounds and smells.
Puppies are very curious, so prepping your home will ensure they have limited access to things that could cause them harm or could be easily damaged. Think about where in the home you plan to put their bedding or crate and where they will be able to wander. You want to keep this ideally limited to one room to start with and away from busy areas of the house like the kitchen – somewhere quiet so they can easily relax is best.
Make this area as comfortable as possible with blankets and provide some safe chew toys too, so that it feels safe and relaxed. If you can, the RSPCA recommends taking a blanket from the puppy’s first home as it will be both familiar and comfortable for them.
You’ll also need to:
- Secure any loose items and electrical cables that they may be tempted to chew.
- Tidy away any small items that can be easily swallowed (e.g. batteries, coins).
- Remove any household plants from reach, such as lilies or azaleas, as these can be toxic if swallowed.
- Restrict access to unsafe or unsupervised areas. You may want to use stair gates to help make this easy and so that your puppy can still see you.
The earlier you can puppy-proof your home, the more you can ensure everything has been considered. It’s less stressful than a quick sweep the day before!
Essential Supplies Every Puppy Owner Needs
There will always be something new to buy for your dog, but as long as you have the essentials, your pup will be set for a happy and fulfilling life. Here’s what you definitely need:
- Food that is suitable for your puppy.
- A food and water bowl.
- Lead and collar with ID tag (this should have your contact details on). You may also want a suitable harness for their size.
- A dog bed or suitable bedding.
- Pet-safe chew toys suitable for a puppy.
- Training pads – these can be useful when toilet training.
- Grooming – a suitable brush for your pup’s coat, toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Poo bags and floor cleaning (just in case of accidents).
- A travel crate – for visiting the vet as well as when travelling in the car.
Puppy Diet & Nutrition Basics
You’ll want to keep your pup’s food unchanged to begin with as the breeder would have been feeding them a suitable mix. It’s also familiar to them, so it can help with the settling-in process. If after a few days you want to change the type of food they are eating, speak to your vet first. Puppies require specially formulated food that provides the correct levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals they need for healthy development, so they’ll be able to recommend which are best.
Be sure to feed your puppy small portions and frequently. The Blue Cross recommends feeding a puppy four meals a day until they are four months old, then reduce this to three meals. Eventually, you can then reduce to two meals a day from six months old which will become the norm as they grow.
Along with food, they need plenty of drinking water too, so be sure they never go without this. When it comes to treats, you should avoid giving them any human food, especially leftovers from your dinner! Speak to your vet about suitable treats to give them as this will avoid them eating anything toxic that will make them unwell like chocolate, grapes, or onions.
Training Your Puppy & Socialising
To help your puppy develop into a confident and happy dog, you’ll want to start early with training. You’ll also want to get them used to other people, including family members, and any other pets you may have, along with different environments, sounds and smells within the home. Everything is new to a puppy, so putting in the effort as soon as possible with training will benefit them throughout their life.
- When toilet training, consistently take your puppy outside frequently after meals and when they’ve been asleep. You’ll need plenty of patience until they become used to it.
- Teach them basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘leave it’. The sooner they understand these, the easier it will be when taking them out for walks and helping them avoid picking up anything they shouldn’t.
- Using treats and positive reinforcement will help. When they respond correctly, be sure to make a fuss of them. Short, frequent training sessions will keep your puppy engaged without overwhelming them too.
- Look for puppy training classes in your area. They can be ideal for providing a structured environment for training as well as helping socialise them around other dogs and strangers.
Early training with your puppy builds confidence and improves communication between you. You’ll look back in years to come and be glad you did, especially with socialisation as it will help prevent your dog from feeling anxious or even fearful of other people, animals, or environments.
Keeping Your Puppy Happy & Active
If you want your dog to be as happy as possible, they’ll need plenty of walks and playtime with you. This regular exercise and mental stimulation are very important whilst they are developing, preventing any unwanted behaviours that can happen from boredom, such as chewing things they shouldn’t or destroying your slippers!
Puppies have plenty of energy, so be sure to take them on daily walks appropriate for their age and breed, and play puppy-friendly games like fetch, gentle tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek with treats. This will stimulate their senses, and if you can provide interactive toys or puzzle feeders, this is an easy way to keep your puppy busy and challenged.
Overall, you will have your hands full with a new pup in the home, but if you provide everything they need and interact with them as all good owners should, they’ll grow into the family-friendly companion you’ve been looking for – good luck!
