Bringing Home a New Puppy

Things to Consider When Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is a refreshing experience and an unforgettable one. But no matter how much research you’ve done, there might still be some lingering worries about if you’re prepared to bring that new one home or even if there are some things that still need to be done or taken into consideration.

Shopping List

When bringing a new puppy or dog into your home, it’s important to be prepared.  It’s new for both of you and it’s better to be prepared than overwhelmed by all of the changes.  You may want to make a list and head out to the store before bringing puppy home for the first time:

• Crate, Exercise Pen and Baby Gates
• Bed
• Leash and Collar
• Bowls and Food
• Poop Bags
• Toys, especially chew toys to keep them occupied and not chewing shoes or furniture!
• Grooming tools, a good brush for your puppy is essential. Between grooming appointments, you’ll want to brush them to keep their fur shiny and tangle free.
• Treats, what puppy doesn’t need treats?

Locking Down Your Home

Just like babies, puppies and dogs have a natural curiosity to explore the new space they’re going to call home for the rest of their life. They can tend to get into things that they’re not supposed to, so in order to prevent your new puppy from getting into anything it’s not supposed to here are a few things that you can do in order to puppy proof your home:

• Keep your trash wrapped up. Maybe put a lid on it or store it inside a cabinet.
• Cover and contain cords. You don’t want puppy to chew on them!
• Properly stow away your bags. They can get curious and rummage through your purse and eat something bad for them like sugar-free gum or even eat your cash! (We’ve heard it’s happened!)
• Create a drug free zone so your puppy can’t ingest anything.
• Pack up household cleaners. Puppies are curious and may not be able to resist chewing on them.
• Watch out for houseplants that are poisonous to dogs and also any outside plants that are near where your pup will be playing and have access to outside.  Check out this list of plants that are toxic to dogs on PetMd.
• Give your puppy space it needs. This is all new to them too and they need time to adjust to their new, loving home.
• Set limits for your puppy. While we want puppy to be happy and have free roam, it’s best to set boundaries up front so that when you have certain areas that are important for puppy to stay away from, they know about boundaries.

With all of these tips on the list, it can create a puppy proofed zone that will allow you to raise your puppy without worry. One thing to keep in consideration that even though you’re trying to protect your new puppy, you should also give them room to breathe and explore. Let your puppy explore their surroundings and test their own limits.

With all of that in mind, raise your puppy in a loving and tender environment that allows them to explore and grow in their new, exciting surroundings.  When was the last time you had a new puppy in your home? Please share pictures with us on Facebook!

Don’t forget to schedule your puppy’s first grooming appointment and get on a grooming schedule that fits their particular needs.