New Puppy Checklist 2021

Congratulations on your new puppy! We realize that it may be a little overwhelming to bring home a new family member. Fear not, for we are here to cover the basics with you.

Be Ready for the Responsibility

A new puppy is the better part of a full-time job. They need to be fed 3-4 times a day, with potty breaks even more often, including throughout the night. Even if you take them out every ten minutes, accidents are going to happen. They may not sleep through the night. Socialization and exercise are important for your puppy to become a mentally and physically healthy adult.

Find the Right Puppy for YOU

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a puppy, not just how cute and adorable they are.

• Size – Are you limited to a small dog due to your apartment, or could you get a Bernese Mountain Dog for your 16 acres?
• Activity Level – If you are gone all the time, you will need a dog that has low energy and can entertain himself. If you lead an active lifestyle that you will want your dog to tag along with, make sure your dog can keep up.
• Fur or Hair Type – A low shedding dog generally requires grooming.
• Allergies – There are breeds that are hypoallergenic if that is a priority.
• Children Under 10 – Some breeds are better suited for children and families than others.
• Volume – Some breeds are barkers while others are less vocal.
• Other Pets – If you have a cat, dog, or another animal in the home, it is important these animals AND your puppy will be able to adjust to the new arrival.

Purebred dogs can be more prone to health problems than mixed-breeds. Plenty of shelters are full of puppies that are ready for their new home. While you may not know their ancestry or tendencies, these animals can be unique and grateful for their new home away from the chaos of the shelter.

Puppy-Proofing

Just like baby-proofing, a home requires a lot of changes when bring a puppy into the home. Here are some tips we suggest before bringing your new family member home.

• Rearrange your furniture to allow room for playing.
• Use a gate for stairs until they are big enough not to take any dangerous tumbles.
• If you have a yard, fence it.
• Purchase some anti-chew spray and spray it on shoes, chair legs, and anything else you think your puppy might go after.
• Put electrical cords out of reach, as they may chew or pull down the item it is attached to.
• Move houseplants out of reach.
• Lock cabinets with food, medicine, and chemicals.

Puppy Supplies

If this is your first puppy, or your first puppy in awhile, you will need to stock up on puppy specific supples.

• Adjustable collar
• ID tags
• Leash
• Puppy food
• Poop bags
• Cleaner for accidents
• Crate
• Blankets
• Toys

Boundaries

Decide what the rules will be so you can be consistent and set a precedent for your new puppy. Are they allowed on the furniture? Do they sleep in a crate, a dog bed, or your bed? What form of basic obedience training are you going to use, clicker? Treat-based? You can change things later, but have a plan before your furry friend arrives.

Pet Insurance

Pet medical bills can be extremely expensive if something out of the ordinary occurs. If you decide on insurance, it is important to do so as early as possible. Many insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions, aka any signs of illness your pet shows before insurance is taken out. Some may even cover behavioral issues that might arise later, diagnostics, and alternative medicine.

Veterinarian

This step is very important. If you don’t have a veterinarian already, ask your shelter or breeder, friends, and family if they have recommendations. You can also try Facebook or neighborhood apps. Do you want 24 hour service? Would you prefer your vet to be within 15 minutes of your home? Are surgical facilities and X-rays important? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when narrowing down your results.

Visit Your Vet

Once you decide on a veterinarian, get your puppy vaccinated. On your first visit bring all of your paperwork from the previous owner or shelter with you. If your pup is under 12 weeks old he may need to be dewormed. The first visit will also include a physical exam, looking at the body condition, listening to the lungs and heart, skin and hair exam, and ear and eye exam.

License and Microchip

No matter how hard we try, sometimes our dogs get loose. Microchipping is the latest in technology for being able to track your dog down safely.

House Training

If you have another dog, your puppy is likely to stick by this dog as part of his pack and pick up on the rules of the house more quickly. Puppies tend to have to potty 10 minutes after they eat, so be sure to take them outside or place them on the potty pad until they decide to relieve themselves. Once their vaccinations are completed, walks will promote pooping due to intestinal mobility.

Teething

Spray anti-chew spray on what you do not want them chewing on, or keep them out of sight and out of reach. If they start to nip or bite at you, whether while playing or as a way to satisfy their sore gums, have teething toys on standby.

Puppy School

Training can be done at home, in classes, or with a trainer. Basic obedience and socialization form the basic for a happy and confident adult dog in years to come. Sit, stay, come, down, and heel are the first step in basic commands. Find out what encourages your dog to cooperate. Treats, their favorite toy, and positive praise are popular ones.

Puppy Space

Crate training needs to begin on day one. They need a space that is theirs where they feel safe. Once they feel comfortable in and around their crate, the recommended time length to spend in their crate is as follows:

• 8–10 weeks: 30–60 minutes
• 11–14 weeks: 1–3 hours
• 15–16 weeks: 3–4 hours
• 17+ weeks: 4–5 hours

Socialization

After vaccinations and some basic training, let your dog make some friends. Other dogs will correct unwanted behavior in a way that your puppy instinctively understands. Don’t forget to introduce your puppy to people as well, as you don’t want to have a fearful dog when it comes to humans.

Puppy Love

Just as you need to take time to get to know your dog, your dog needs to get to know you, his new home, and the new rule. You may not see your puppy’s personality right away for this reason. Bond with your puppy during playtime, training, and cuddle-time. Give him plenty of love and affection and you will see your new best friend start to blossom.