Preparing For Your New Puppy

Things you will need before you bring your new puppy home.

1. A food bowl, a water bowl, bed, crate, collar and leash. Do not get a nylon leash - they tend to sting your hands if the puppy pulls abruptly - a leather leash is best.


2. Have you decided what food you are going to feed? The same as the breeder? If you plan to switch the puppy off the food the breeder was feeding to something else, make sure that you do so slowly - over a period of 2-3 weeks. An abrupt change of food may cause stomach upset, and possibly diarrhea. Most responsible breeders will provide you with 1-2 weeks worth of food for the puppy.


3. Have you decided where the puppy will stay during the day? A place should be picked that is just for the puppy, where he can be safe and undisturbed. If you start utilizing a crate now, it will save you a headache later on.


4. Have you decided what the rules of the house will be for your puppy? Will he be allowed on the furniture? Will he be allowed in the carpeted areas of the home? Will he be allowed in the kitchen? You need to decide if these rules are "always" or "never". It is confusing to a puppy if you constantly change the rules and you will make him neurotic.


5. Have you provided the puppy with safe toys so that the puppy has not only things to amuse himself with, but also for chewing on when he starts teething. Nylabone products are the best. DO NOT ever allow a puppy/dog to play with toys with squeakers in them while unobserved. The squeakers can be pulled out of the toy and swallowed - sometimes creating stomach problems. Also, soft cloth of what I call "mushy" toys are fine as long as they play with them while you are in their presence - again they can pull the "guts" out and eat them.


6. Have you chosen a veterinarian and made the puppy's first appointment? Prior to the puppy coming home, you should have already visited with the veterinarian, talked with him about the puppy you are getting, the vet's prices and type of services they provide. The reason you need to know these things before you bring the puppy home is that you do not want to wait until there is an emergency and you cannot get a hold of the vet because he does not have after hour services or whatever. Choosing a vet is no different than choosing a pediatrician for your child.


7. Have you "puppy proofed" your home and yard? Make sure all toxic materials and household plants and even outdoor plants that are toxic have been removed.


8. Have you checked and made sure that your yard, fences and gates are in proper working order and are secure?


9. Have you had the "talk" with your children about their respecting the puppy's right to be undisturbed, that when he goes to his crate - they need to leave him alone. That the puppy has a right not to be teased and/or hurt. You should also let your children know that anything that they leave at puppy level can and probably will be eaten or taken by the puppy (i.e., toys, shoes, apparel, food).