Check List for Your Puppy’s Arrival

So you’re going to get a puppy? How exciting! Prepare well and its arrival should go smoothly. Here’s a definitive list of all the things you need to consider.

Things to borrow/buy

Blanket or toy that smells of mum. Ask the breeder for this. Will be comforting for pup to have a familiar smell in its new surroundings

Crate. Large enough for pup to stand up in and turn around. No bigger. Try and find a crate with a moveable wall so it can grow as your pup grows.

 Play pen. Where you can safely leave your pup to play. If going on a carpeted area, you will need one with a waterproof sheet base.

 Odour and stain remover. Kitchen towel. To clear up accidents. Get one intended for pets with no ammonia in it .  (Amonia will make them pee on it more!)

 Toys. A variety of soft toys and robust chew toys. A rubber kong is useful for stuffing with treats. You can buy a soft dog toy from Amazon with a battery operated beating heart inside. This can be some comfort to pup on his first nights ever away from mum and littermates.

 Puppy sling. So you can carry pup out and about before his 2nd set of jabs, getting him used to new sights/sounds/smells.

 Lead and collar and/or harness . Obviously you will have to upgrade as your pup grows.

 Dog bed. Maybe two. One for inside the crate, and one for somewhere else in the house. Ones with sides are the most cosy.

 Dog Food. Ask the breeder what food your pup is on . They should supply you with a starter pack. You can change the food later. Must be puppy food (not adult dog food) which is higher in nutrients and calories. I’m not a fan of dried kibble.

 Food bowl and water bowl.

 Poo bags & Pee pads (optional) Useful if you don’t have a garden.

 Identity tag. You’ll need this once your pup is out in public spaces after its 2nd set of jabs. Owner’s name, address and phone number are legal requirements.

 Grooming kit. Brush/comb. Toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Nail clippers

 Bitter apple spray. Tastes horrid and when sprayed on things such as chair legs that your puppy is making a habit of chewing on, will deter him from ever doing it again.

 Baby alarm. If the puppy is not sleeping in your room, you will need to hear when it wakes, so you can go and take it out of its crate to have a pee.

 

Puppy proof the house

Remove any house plants that are poisonous to dogs, and cordon off any poisonous garden plants.

Tidy away any children’s toys, especially those which may cause a choke hazard, like lego.

Put any breakables or precious item out of reach.

Cover electrical sockets.

Hide exposed wires.

Consider a stair gate or two to cordon off certain rooms and stop pup going upstairs.

 

Puppy care

Register with a vet.

Keep up to date with vaccinations, worming and flea treatments.

Check your pup has been microchipped.

Consider getting pet insurance.

 Need any help?