The prospect of a new four-legged family member can be exciting and daunting at the same time. Getting your house and yard ready before the big day is crucial because it will allow you to focus on your new puppy. Here are a few items you should try and check off your list before bringing a new puppy home:
1. Puppy-proof Your House
One of the first things you should do is make your living space safe and ready for a playful and curious pup. Don't forget to keep all electrical sockets out of reach with outlet plug covers to prevent electrical shock. Electrical wires and device cords can also be dangerous if your new family member chews them or trips and gets entangled in them. Use cord mates and wire hiders to keep everything out of the way.
Young dogs tend to stumble often, so a sturdy gate on top of your stairs will prevent even the most persistent puppy from falling down the stairs. Sharp edges and furniture corners can also cause problems, so corner guards are essential for puppy-proofing your home.
2. Set Up a Sleeping Space
Since new puppies sleep a lot, a comfortable puppy crate is necessary for a good night's sleep. The crate must be big enough for the puppy to stretch out and stand fully. Of course, you also have to account for its growing rate, so you might need to switch to a bigger one later on.
Pick a wooden crate without any sharp edges and place it strategically; you need a corner where your dog can observe what's going on in the family and get some rest occasionally. A quiet corner in the living or sitting room is ideal. Another good idea is to allocate a resting corner in parts of the house where you want your puppy to be close to you. A suitable, well-placed pet bed will be enough.
3. Prepare A Drinking and Eating Station
Your canine companion will require permanent access to fresh water, so you need to place a drinking bowl close to the puppy crate. You must also train your puppy to eat slowly early on. It's a good idea to buy a high-quality eat-slow bowl to avoid overeating and place it at your designated eating station (kitchen, garden, etc.) and place a second drinking bowl close to it (but not too close, because spilled food may dirty the water). Clean the bowls thoroughly before every meal, especially outdoor bowls, since they gather microbes and bacteria.
4. Assemble Your Puppy Care and Grooming Tools
Several tools and items will make caring for your puppy much easier. You will need a bathtub suitable for puppies and small dogs and a dental care kit with brushes and pet-safe toothpaste. You can choose from various brushes and combs for basic grooming, while a furminator will help you deal with shedding.
Lastly, assemble a canine first aid kit to tackle emergencies. You can start with a quality commercial kit and add items suitable for dogs and puppies, such as canine pail relief, special bandages, a paw protection cream, etc.
5. Purchase a Variety of High-quality Toys
Young pups require a lot of attention and diversion. After all, a bored puppy is bound to get in trouble. To avoid many behavioral problems, invest in some quality puppy toys to keep your furry friend entertained. These toys can also help you with training. They must be safe, durable, and easy to clean. They must also offer enough mental and physical stimulation for a growing puppy.
Chew and squeaky toys can be a lot of fun but you can also experiment with activity puzzles, and even treat toys. Your puppy's tastes will evolve as it grows, so be sure to retire unplayed toys and introduce new ones.
Undoubtedly, bringing a new puppy home (and raising it) requires a lot of work and patience. Getting all your preparations out of the way before your canine companion arrives means you can have some peace of mind, focus your time and energy on the dog itself, and finetune your training methods before you apply them.
This article was written by M.J. Ricott for Top Gun Dog Training.
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