What does my puppy need in the first few days of coming home?
Congrats on your new puppy! The key to a successful first week with your new fur-ball is to be fully prepared. Here are a few things you’ll need when bringing a new puppy home:
What to do first:
It’s time to puppy proof the house! Make sure you remove anything you don’t want your puppy to chew on or that might hurt your fur-ball. If your puppy still chews on objects around the house, you can learn more about discouraging chewing in our blog: Here’s How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing
Gather your puppy survival kit:
- Kennel/crate with a cover: Through positive reinforcement, you can teach your puppy to love their kennel or crate as their own personal and safe place. The crate/kennel cover will provide privacy and comfort for your pup!
- Puppy Toys: You’ll need lots of’em. You can learn more about which toys you should get your pup in our blog: 5 Must-Have Puppy Toys.
- Puppy Food & Treats: Puppies need food that is specially formulated, the packaging should say “puppy” life stage. A puppy’s diet should always be carefully monitored to make sure they are getting a balanced nutrition. You can learn more about the right food for your puppy in our blog: Choosing the Right Food for your Puppy. Treats are also super important! They are great for training and for positive reinforcement.
- Food & Water Bowls: We recommend stainless steel bowls, they are very durable and easy to clean!
- Wee-wee pads: Puppies may have accidents as they settle in their new home, but wee-wee pads make it easier for you and your puppy! They are easy to clean up and great for house training. You can learn more about puppy house training in our blog: How to House Train Your Puppy in 7 Days
- Harness: A harness reduces the direct stress of your puppy’s neck that leaches provide. It provides better control over your puppy for when you go on walks or run around the park. You can read our blog Introducing Your Puppy to the Park to make sure your puppy’s first experience at the park is a positive one.
- Grooming Supplies: this means shampoo, brushes and a toothbrush with puppy toothpaste! Grooming your puppy daily will keep their coat soft and healthy. Dental health is also very important, brushing your puppy’s teeth regularly will prevent the buildup of plaque and any dental disease. Read more about Puppy Grooming and Pet Dental Health.
Family Meeting:
You’ll need to establish ground rules for the new puppy and having everyone on board will make training run much more smoothly. It is important to teach your puppy the basic commands early on, read our blog, Essential Commands to Teach Your Puppy, for some tips.
Schedule a Vet Visit:
Your puppy’s first vet visit should be when they are six to eight weeks old. Some breeders might start their pups’ vaccinations before sending them off to their new home, so make sure to have the proper paperwork for your vet visit. Read more about Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit.
