Preparing for your new puppy
Now that you have found the puppy for you . You want to prepare for your puppies arrival . A puppy is like bringing home a new baby . Your going to want to prepare ahead of time a safe and comfortable environment . Safety is very important . Puppies are usually teething at the age they arrive and wont distinguish your expensive shoes from a chew toy . They love to chew on whatever they can get their teeth on . So its important to puppy proof your puppies area by removing anything you don't want chewed including computer wires , furniture , trash bags , shoes etc. .
Its important to set up their area with a crate , pen or playpen. The crate is like a den or private sanctuary for your puppy . You should have a dog bed , food and water , a good brush , and puppy safe toys . Your puppy should always be safely in its crate when you are not home or at night time if not potty trained . This is for their own safety .
Your new puppy is like a new born baby and requires a lot of sleep and should not over exert themselves in playing or being handled by too many people . Over stimulation can cause sickness and sometimes death.
The vet should be carefully chosen . The best way to do this is to ask your friends , who have dogs , who they like in the area. Your puppy should be examined by your chosen vet and set up a vaccination schedule . I worm my dogs once a month to protect them .
When coming to pick up a puppy I suggest bringing water , a food and water dish , a towel or paper towels (as some may get car sick when young or on long trips) , maybe a crate as well , a harness and leash . I suggest a harness made for a cat , ferret or guinea pig because its hard to find one to fit a small puppy . I do not suggest a collar because when a puppy pulls it can choke them and collapse their trachea . This is known to happen in small breeds . Also its much more difficult for them to slip out of a harness and get away .
We all like to spoil our dogs with treats . The only ones I will suggest not buying are raw hides and Greenies . As the raw hides swell up in their throat , stomach , and intestines causing severe blockages . Greenies don't break down in their systems and stay in there . The best treats are home made because then you know exactly whats in them . There are many recipes on the internet . The best ones would contain the least corn . This is also true for their everyday food and store bought treats .
When choosing the food for your puppy it's best to use a food with meat as the first ingredient . Not corn , wheat , rice or meat byproducts . If you choose to change the food he comes with , always mix gradually adding your brand more each day. If change is made too quickly this could cause diarrhea .
Here is a quick check list of the items you should have before bringing your new puppy home .
Its important to set up their area with a crate , pen or playpen. The crate is like a den or private sanctuary for your puppy . You should have a dog bed , food and water , a good brush , and puppy safe toys . Your puppy should always be safely in its crate when you are not home or at night time if not potty trained . This is for their own safety .
Your new puppy is like a new born baby and requires a lot of sleep and should not over exert themselves in playing or being handled by too many people . Over stimulation can cause sickness and sometimes death.
The vet should be carefully chosen . The best way to do this is to ask your friends , who have dogs , who they like in the area. Your puppy should be examined by your chosen vet and set up a vaccination schedule . I worm my dogs once a month to protect them .
When coming to pick up a puppy I suggest bringing water , a food and water dish , a towel or paper towels (as some may get car sick when young or on long trips) , maybe a crate as well , a harness and leash . I suggest a harness made for a cat , ferret or guinea pig because its hard to find one to fit a small puppy . I do not suggest a collar because when a puppy pulls it can choke them and collapse their trachea . This is known to happen in small breeds . Also its much more difficult for them to slip out of a harness and get away .
We all like to spoil our dogs with treats . The only ones I will suggest not buying are raw hides and Greenies . As the raw hides swell up in their throat , stomach , and intestines causing severe blockages . Greenies don't break down in their systems and stay in there . The best treats are home made because then you know exactly whats in them . There are many recipes on the internet . The best ones would contain the least corn . This is also true for their everyday food and store bought treats .
When choosing the food for your puppy it's best to use a food with meat as the first ingredient . Not corn , wheat , rice or meat byproducts . If you choose to change the food he comes with , always mix gradually adding your brand more each day. If change is made too quickly this could cause diarrhea .
Here is a quick check list of the items you should have before bringing your new puppy home .
- Crate , pen or playpen
- Bed
- Food and water dish
- Quality food
- Quality treats
- Toys
- Brush
- Harness and leash
- Choose a vet
- Towel or paper towel for ride home
- Puppy pads or news papers