It’s nearly time to bring your new puppy home… it’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement but there are some things that you should really think about BEFORE you bring your puppy home.
🏡 Is your house and garden puppy proof? Puppies are naturally curious and will explore, so make sure that it is safe for them to do so 😊 Remove or block access to anything that could cause them harm; think toxic plants, electric cables, ornaments…
🏡 Create a safe puppy place; you won’t be able to watch your puppy every minute of every day, so having somewhere safe and comfy for them when you can’t give them your full attention is essential. A puppy pen, with their bed, a selection of toys and water is ideal.
🛍 Shopping for the things you need (as well as the things you want!! 🙈 But don’t lose focus on what’s important!)
✅ Food (it’s recommended that you feed the same as the breeder for the first few weeks)
✅ Food and water bowls
✅ Collar and harness with identification tags (a soft mesh harness is great for young puppies - they will grow out of it quickly!)
✅ Light weight puppy lead (2m long is best - harder to find but worth the effort)
✅ Crate (if using one) and / or puppy pen
✅ Bedding and blankets
✅ Toys for chewing and interactive play
✅ Treats for training (check that they are suitable for puppies)
🩺 Register your puppy with your chosen vet and book them in for a vet visit within their first few days of being at home. It’s good for peace of mind for your puppy to have a full health check and it may form part of your contract with your breeder. It’s also worth checking with your breeder if they’ll be doing first vaccinations, and if so, which vaccines their vet uses so that you can check that the vaccines your vets uses are compatible.
🏡 Decide on house rules! Being clear as a household on what your puppy is / ins’t allowed to do and where in the house they can go means that you can be really clear and consistent with your puppy from day 1. Remember - What Puppy Learns First Puppy Learns Best!!
💤 Night time routine. Where is your puppy going to sleep? How are you going to ensure that they feel safe; the first night away from their litter can be a really difficult experience and your puppy will very likely need to be comforted. The safer and more secure your puppy feels in their first few weeks the quicker they will gain confidence and independence - remember that your puppy is just a baby and NEEDS social support.
⏰ Plan your daily routine. Dogs like routine & structure, it can help them feel safe because their day has some predictability. Meal times, play times, nap times… if you are consistent your puppy will quickly learn the routine and you will be ensuring that your puppy’s basic needs are fully being met. That being said…. You may need to adjust your planned plan once your puppy arrives!!
By thinking through life with your puppy BEFORE they come home, you will be setting both you and your puppy to succeed right from the start.
