New Puppy Shopping List
Bringing a new puppy home can be a tumultuous and exciting time, but preparation is everything! Your new little pup is going to have some additional needs and supplies early on and it makes great sense to be prepared for his homecoming. Puppies are comforted by schedules and regular routines and settings... So while its very exciting to bring new toys home to your puppy after an outing, it is very important to establish his surroundings, supplies, food and other essentials early on to help him feel less apprehensive and homesick. This is best accomplished with a good plan for the necessary supplies and environment changes before you even bring your new pal home.
Below we have compiled a pretty comprehensive new puppy checklist to get you and your new puppy on the road to many great years of love and companionship.
PUPPY FOOD - Puppies, like human babies have pretty simple needs and the number 1 need is nutrition. I don't believe it is necessary to feed your dog $75 dollar a bag food, but you need to take care to choose a high protein food specifically designed for puppies from a reputable pet food company. If you are adopting your new puppy from a breeder or rescue for example then you will want to at least start him out on the same food he is used to. If you wish to switch his food in a few weeks, that's generally fine, but slowly introduce the new food by mixing it in increasing portions with the old puppy food.
FOOD DISHES - This sounds simple, but never start your new puppy out without his own food and water dishes. Letting him eat or drink out of your own dishes only leads to the promise of future bad behavior.
COLLAR & LEASH - This is not an immediate need, but clearly the sooner he gets used to the collar and soft leash time, the better his behavior later on. Make sure the collar is fitted properly, you MUST be able to get 2 man size fingers between the collar and the puppy. Mark your calendar and check his collar fit every week... Puppies grow fast! Generally measure your puppy's neck (around) and add about 2 inches to the measurement for a good fit. Its quite a good idea to also get an ID tag to go on the collar, even if you just add your phone number or address.
PUPPY CRATE - Many people tend to think that crating your puppy is somehow cruel or mean, the reality is giving your new puppy a smaller and more controlled place to call his own is very comforting. If you don't want to use a crate, try a play fence or baby gate to give him some "private space".
BEDDING - Its very important that you give your new puppy some warm and snuggly bedding material to sleep and lay on. Its not necessary to purchase a pet bed or crate bed, ideally a small blanket or towel is perfectly adequate.... Something washable! When you pick your puppy up ask for a piece of the bedding he has been using, and perhaps a favorite toy to help comfort him in his new surroundings.
CHEW TOYS - You will want to purchase a couple of toys suitable for a puppy's need to chew. Puppies do not chew to be destructive, but rather as a stress reliever and to cut those baby and adult teeth. A Puppy Kong or other hard rubber puppy toy is best to start. Don't buy a bunch of toys before you get to know your puppy, they can be quite finicky.
VET APPOINTMENT - Make your puppy's first veterinarian appointment right away, this will help him to get acquainted with your vet and feel more comfortable in the future. Make sure you take his shot record along and continue to get your puppy his vaccinations on schedule, so he can live a long and healthy life.
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