Bringing home a new puppy can be an exciting time for pet owners, but it can also be a stressful time if we’re being real. Puppies are a lot of work, they need time to adjust to their new home, and you need time to adjust to life with your puppy. It’s important to make sure you’re prepared for this life-changing event, and there are steps you can take to ease the transition for everyone. Whether it’s your first dog or your fifth, a puppy will surprise you, and the better you prepare in advance, the easier it will be for your puppy to get acquainted and adjust to new environments and family members (pets and people) ).
I just brought home a new puppy myself and thought I’d share some tips and steps to help others who are considering or planning to have a puppy.You may also like my recent posts How to keep your house clean with pets.
What to do when you bring your puppy home
Crate training.
My first piece of advice for bringing a new puppy home is to start crate training on day one (See my puppy schedule linked below). Not only does crate training provide a safe space for your dog, but when done right, it can be a calming environment and an excellent training tool.We recently worked with Diggs Pet try out their Revol crate (Use code JESSANNKIRBY15 for 15% off) I like it very much. It is very important to have a cage that is suitable for your dog. Revol comes in many sizes, you can choose one of them custom bed to fit inside (if your dog is destructive or not house trained but started without a bed). I went with a medium crate so Pepper could grow into it.
One of the keys to crate training is building a positive connection with the crate. Never use it as a punishment tool. Treats, meals, and especially high-reward items like Kong Hou with peanut butter are all great to keep in the crate for your pup. Be patient. It may take a few months, but your puppy will learn to love their crate and it will keep your shoes and other items from being chewed on while the puppy is still learning! this post There are a lot of good tips on crate training.
Get supplies in advance.
If you can, stock up on supplies before you bring your puppy home. Once the puppy arrives, it can be a little messy, so it really helps to have everything you need ready ahead of time. Here’s a list to get you started.
puppy supplies
puppy supplies
Prioritize potty training your puppy.
It took us about a week to train our pup, Pepper (with the occasional accident, she’s still a puppy!). Some dogs learn faster than others, but it makes potty training a lot easier if you stick to a schedule and start from day one. Puppies don’t have as much bladder control, so they need to go to the bathroom frequently during the day, especially after meals.
Follow the schedule.
The first few days, especially the first night at home with a new puppy, can be tough. You need a lot of patience and potty breaks outside. If the puppy you’re bringing home comes to you in transportation and travels long distances, they may be nervous, tired, etc. It is important to start scheduling as soon as possible. The structure will help you and your puppy. We follow a fairly regular schedule with Pepper every day, which helps eliminate accidents and gives her plenty of stimulation to thrive.here is one Sample Puppy Schedule This is helpful for the first few months. Ultimately you don’t have to follow such a strict schedule and your puppy can have more freedom, but it’s a good place to start.
Schedule a veterinary appointment.
Before you bring your puppy home, do some research with the veterinarian in your area. It makes life easier if you figure this out beforehand. Depending on their age, puppies will need to be vaccinated several weeks apart, and your first veterinary visit will likely be within the first week of bringing them home.
Puppy proves your home.
Puppies are mischievous and notorious for getting into everything. That’s why crate training is so important! It’s also a good idea to give your home as much puppy proof as possible. There are several things to do:
- Unplug the power cord and move it out of reach
- keep doors and windows closed
- Protect any outdoor area, especially if you have a swimming pool
- Put away any small items that may pose a choking hazard
- Secure trash cans and make sure they are out of reach of puppies
- Make sure indoor plants are out of reach, they can be poisonous and poisonous to puppies
Get pet insurance.
There are several options for pet insurance that can help cover your pet’s medical bills. Depending on the policy, it can cover anything from accidents and illnesses to health visits. We have national pet insurance and I have used it for all my pets. Buying pet insurance right after you get your puppy has many benefits, but most importantly, it will save you money in the long run. Once your dog is sick or injured, if you don’t have coverage that can exclude or treat pre-existing conditions, that means it won’t be covered. My current Pepper monthly premium is less than $30/month.
Here are some pet insurance options:
- Nationwide Pet Insurance (This Is What We Have)
- Healthy Paws – Best for Alternative Therapy
- ASPCA – Best for Genetic and Congenital Disorders
- Spot – Best for unlimited coverage
- Pumpkin – best for puppies and kittens
- Figo – The Best Reimbursement Option
- Hugs – Best for older pets
- Trupanion – Best for direct payments to veterinarians
Sign up for a puppy class.
Once your puppy is vaccinated and can socialize with other dogs, take a puppy class. This is a great way to practice basic dog training and obedience as well as introduce your puppy to other dogs. Check out your local pet store and rescue shelter for classes, we’re taking puppy classes at PetSmart.
Be prepared to deal with an upset stomach with light diet foods.
It is almost inevitable that at some point with the puppy, they will experience an upset stomach. The typical solution is a bland diet of chicken and rice (pumpkin puree is also a great addition).my friend let me start Physical discomfort, a freeze-dried 100% human-grade dog food that is amazing.I change whenever one of my dogs has an upset stomach or any abdominal issues to this food For a few days, it was always successful. Of course, if you have any medical concerns, please consult your veterinarian first.
Socialize regularly.
Socializing your puppy is really important. Not all social activities have to be your puppy walking up to people or dogs. Observation is also an important part of socialization. It’s actually very important that your puppy is able to observe and be in different scenarios without having to approach everyone or the dog.Here’s a great post from the AKC Puppy socialization. The key is to keep it active and avoid over-stimulating the puppy.
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