If you find the ideal pet for your family, it’s always exciting. If your new pet is a puppy, there are things you need to do before the new puppy gets home. According to the American Kennel Club, Americans own over 75 million dogs, so plenty of experienced puppy parents can give you good advice.
Learn About Your Puppy
Puppies are adorable, but they’re also immature – and they’ll need lots of care and guidance. To begin, before picking up your new doggy, go to the library and read about the breed of dog you’ve chosen. Find out what their habits are, what type of food they eat, and what type of health problems they’re likely to have.
Your family likely has a routine, and the puppy will undoubtedly wreak havoc with that routine. It’s best if you make plans now for new house rules. For example, who will walk the dog? Will the pup be allowed to sleep on someone’s bed or couch – or will they sleep in an outdoor dog house?
Find Out About Your Dog’s Diet
Dogs need a balanced diet to stay healthy, and puppies need a gentler version of that diet. A local veterinarian can advise you about healthy food for puppies of your chosen breed. Although pets may be picky about their food, buy enough healthy food for the first few weeks. Once your puppy shows a preference for a dog food flavor, you can stock up on that type.
Puppies like treats as well as you do, so buy some treats for your new pet. However, treats should be occasionally – when training your puppy. In addition to learning about which dog foods to buy, your research should also discover what types of “human food” are dangerous for your puppy to eat. For example, it’s not safe for puppies to eat the pits of plums, cherries, and apricots – and they should also stay away from avocados and coffee.
Shop for Puppy Supplies
Puppies have a habit of chewing on things, and if you let them, they will eat any food that isn’t secured and sleep anywhere they please. At a minimum, you need dishes for their food and water, chew toys, a collar, and a leash. When they go on walks, you’ll need plastic baggies and a “pooper scooper.” If the pup is going to sleep indoors, they’ll need a dog bed.
You’ll need puppy pads when they’re training, and a good cleaning solution for when they have accidents. To keep your pet clean, you need dog shampoo. It’s also a good idea to have some air fresheners in the pet area. To bring the puppy to the vet, you’ll need a pet crate.
Prepare Your Home and Yard
Before you bring your pet home, be sure your home and yard are ready for them. Look around your yard for anything they might invade (like a garden) – or anything that might hurt them. Puppy-proof your yard with advice from your vet. As for protecting them, according to Home Guide, a wooden fence is likely to last over 20 years.
Puppy-proofing your home will include placing your valuables and breakables out of reach. If you have to leave the dog home alone during their first few weeks, it’s safest to put them in their crates. Southern pet owners shouldn’t worry about whether their pets will be comfortable because, according to HVAC Webmasters, more than 2/3 of homeowners in the South leave their air conditioners on all day.
When you proudly bring home the newest member of your family, the preparations you made are sure to pay off. Having a new puppy is a joyful experience, and your preparations will ensure it will stay as positive as possible. If you take good care of your new bundle of fluff, they’ll be likely to give you years of furry fun.