If you are planning to bring home a new puppy, you have to make some preparations. Bringing a new puppy is not just that. You have to prepare yourself and your home in such a way that the stay of puppy should be pleasurable to both of you, and not that you may want to get rid of the puppy within just a few days. Here are some tips for the new dog owners.
Giving the Puppy its Very Own Space
Your puppy will need its own space in your home, so you should create it beforehand. Choose a corner in the home, like den, laundry room or kitchen, where the puppy will feel safe and at home. Also if the area is limited, you will find it easy to clean up.
Clean Puppy’s Space
Clean the puppy’s space well and remove any harmful items, like wires, ornaments, or anything that the puppy may knock into. Remove all those things which you don’t want the puppy to chew, scratch or soil.
Comfortable Bedding
Dogs, and particularly puppies, suffer same kind and amount of stress as that of humans. To relieve stress, comfortable bedding is utmost necessary. So, prepare that for your new puppy.
Preparation against Biting
You can get non-biting fluid in the pet store, which you can use on anything which you think the puppy can chew and damage or hurt itself, like TV remote control, checkbook, ornaments, etc.
Bring Home Items for Chewing
If you have made your home items chew-proof, you should provide your puppy with other items which it can chew, because puppies are in need of chewing. They can’t help it. You will get these items in pet stores. Some examples are rope toys and other chew toys.
Collar or Harness and Leash
You should also buy a collar or harness for the puppy. You should take care that the collar is exactly the size of puppy to make it comfortable while wearing it. They are available in sizes like x-small, small, mid, large and x-large. Don’t choose a collar with a Velcro, because it is apt for big dogs and not puppies. Regarding leashes, you may want to choose a long leash for walking and a 2-4 foot leash for training, together with a training leash and collar, if you want to see your puppy growing into a good dog.
Correct Shampoo
You should inform yourself about dog shampoos and choose a correct one for your puppy. If the puppy has excessively dry skin, you should use special shampoo. Other problem can be an extra tangly coat, for which too you should choose a different shampoo.
Brushes
Choosing right kind of brush for your puppy is also important. The brush should be soft and should maintain the shine of its coat, along with removing mats and knots.
Choosing a Right Crate
Your puppy won’t remain a puppy forever. It will grow with time and so, its crate should be such as to accommodate its grownup body. Also the crate is its own home (den) and should not be invaded when it wants to be alone.
Choosing High Quality Food
While choosing food for your dog, you better talk to your vet or a good pet food supplier, instead of getting carried away with highly impressive TV commercials. The quality of the dog food shown in the commercials is questionable. You don’t know which part of chicken they have used in the brand which they claim to be chicken. Make a research on internet. Even you can make your own good-quality dog food, in your leisure hours. You will get plenty of recipes for healthy dog food.
Separate Bowls for Food and Water
Water is very important for your puppy to keep it hydrated and you should provide ample of it to the puppy. You should keep at least two bowls for the puppy’s food and water, which need not be of same size.
Finally, take advice of your pet or a close friend having a dog, about what else you can do to prepare yourself and your home for a new puppy. The important thing is you and your puppy should be on good terms with each other for the rest of lives of you both.