Congrats on becoming a new parent! Raising a pup takes lots of work, patience, time, and of course, money. You may be feeling overwhelmed with all there is to do to get ready for a new little furry bundle of joy. This will break down all the steps you should take to be fully ready for an addition to the family.
Puppy Supplies
You should start with the basics but as you learn more about your pup and their preference, you can get other supplies. Some basics include:
- puppy food
- training treats
- adjustable collar
- ID tags with contact info
- Leash
- Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe food, and water bowls
- training clicker
- potty training pads
- poop bags
- toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental treats
- anti-chew spray
- brush
- shampoo
- nail clippers
- dog bed
- crate
- blankets
- baby gate or playpen
- toys
- lint rollers/Vacuum if your pup is a shedder
Puppy-Proofing
Similar to baby-proofing, you will want to take measures to ensure that your new pup doesn’t get into trouble in their new home. Below are some things you can do to protect your pup.
- Rearrange furniture to make enough room for play without hazards in the way
- use a puppy gate at the top of the stairs to keep them safe from tumbles
- fence your yard to keep your puppy safe from getting out in the neighborhood and from others getting in. Also, fence your pool to keep them from going on an unsupervised swim.
- Use an anti-chew spray on wires, furniture, and shoes to keep your belongings and your teething pup safe.
- Keep laundry out of reach, especially toxic dryer sheets.
- Move houseplants or fence your garden to keep them out of your puppy’s reach.
- Get trashcans with closing lids or hide them in a cabinet
Find a Vet
If you have other pets, you may already have a vet. If you are a new pet parent, then you may not know where to take your new best friend. You can turn to your neighbors, friends, breeder, or shelter for recommendations. Once you choose a vet, set up an appointment. Bring all prior paperwork that the shelter or breeder may have given you. Make sure your dog is given all the proper vaccinations in addition to the other wellness visit procedures. Additionally, your vet can microchip your pup so that you will be more likely to be reunited if they were to ever get lost. When brought to a vet or shelter, the chip can be scanned to pull up your name and contact information. Don’t worry, the information can be updated if you move or change phone numbers. Be sure to keep a record of the chip number.
Follow this checklist and you will be all set to enjoy the company of a new puppy!
