New Puppy Checklist

Congrats on becoming a new parent! Raising a pup takes lots of work, patience, time, and of course, money. You may be feeling overwhelmed with all there is to do to get ready for a new little furry bundle of joy. This will break down all the steps you should take to be fully ready for an addition to the family.

Understand The Responsibility

Similar to a child, a puppy is a full-time job. You need to be sure that you can give the pup the care and attention that they require. They should be fed and walked frequently throughout the day and need to be cleaned up after as well. Your new furry friend will likely wake you throughout the night to alert you of their needs. They also require a lot of socialization and exercise. If you are busy with work, school, or kids, then this can be especially time-consuming.

There are also plenty of adult pups that need homes and would love you just as much! Additionally, they would require less effort in the beginning compared to a puppy.

Once you determine that a puppy is something that you can handle, it’s time to find the puppy for you!

Find The Right Puppy

Consider different breeds that would be a better fit for you. For instance, consider the size of your pup in comparison to how much space you have and what they require. Consider how active the puppy will be in comparison to your lifestyle and what activity level you prefer for yourself. Additionally, if you have any allergies, you may consider a hypoallergenic dog. Along those lines, you may want a dog that doesn’t shed as much, though they may require more regular grooming.

If you have children or frequently have kids around, think about breeds that are better suited for children. This includes labs and collies among others. Additionally, consider what volume you and your family can tolerate. Some dogs are much more vocal than others so it is something to ponder.

Finally, if you have other pets in the home or plan on getting more, be sure that your pup will be able to get along with others.

Puppy Supplies

You should start with the basics but as you learn more about your pup and their preference, you can get other supplies. Some basics include:

• puppy food (get the right food for your dog)
• puppy and training treats
• adjustable collar
• ID tags with contact info
• Leash
• Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe food, and water bowls
• training clicker
• potty training pads
• poop bags
• toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental treats
• anti-chew spray
• Grooming tools (brush, shampoo, and nail clippers)
• dog bed and crate
• blankets
• baby gate or playpen
• toys
• lint rollers/Vaccum if your pup is a shedder

Puppy-Proof

Similar to baby-proofing, you will want to take measures to ensure that your new pup doesn’t get into trouble in their new home.

• Rearrange furniture to make enough room for play without hazards in the way
• use a puppy gate at the top of the stairs to keep them safe from tumbles
• fence your yard to keep your puppy safe from getting out in the neighborhood and from others getting in. Also, fence your pool to keep them from going on an unsupervised swim.
• Use an anti-chew spray on wires, furniture, and shoes to keep your belongings and your teething pup safe. Additionally, keep laundry out of reach, especially toxic dryer sheets.
• Move houseplants or fence your garden to keep them out of your puppy’s reach.
• Get trashcans with closing lids or hide them in a cabinet

DNA Test

Beyond getting to know your furry friend’s tastes and preferences through spending time with them, you can learn their genetics through a doggy DNA test. You can discover their unique breed mix and give you insight into hereditary or breed-specific conditions that could become a health risk later in your pup’s life. This will give you the opportunity to be proactive in caring for your pal.

For example, if you learn that your dog is at risk for hip dysplasia, you can work with your vet to make lifestyle and diet changes to delay or prevent the onset of the condition.

Embark and Wisdom Panel are both great options for discovering more about your new four-legged friend.

Find a Vet & Have a Wellness Visit

If you have other pets, you may already have a vet. If you are a new pet parent, then you may not know where to take your new best friend. You can turn to your neighbors, friends, breeder, or shelter for recommendations. You can also look at Google reviews for some insight as well.

Aside from recommendations, you will want to consider factors such as location and budget when selecting a vet. You should look into what each vet’s approach to medicine is and how they treat and interact with your pup.

Once you choose a vet, set up an appointment. Bring all prior paperwork that your shelter or breeder may have given you. Let your vet know what food, treats, and supplements your pal takes. Make sure your dog is given all the proper vaccinations in addition to the other wellness visit procedures.

License and Microchip

Though we never expect our pup to get lost, we should always be prepared. Your vet can microchip your pup so that you will be more likely to be reunited if they were to ever get lost. When brought to a vet or shelter, the chip can be scanned to pull up your name and contact information. Don’t worry, the information can be updated if you move or change phone numbers. Be sure to keep a record of the chip number.

House train

Though an older and experienced pup will help your new friend understand the house rules, you can teach your pal by yourself. Your pup should eat four or five times a day. Roughly ten minutes after they eat they usually need to go potty. This is the time to use the potty pad. Use the same pad a few times so that they can associate the smell of the pad with the action of going potty. Once they have had their vaccinations, they can go potty outside after eating. Walking will promote a healthy tummy and regular intestine mobility. You should stick to the same walking schedule every day.

Set Boundaries

Aside from house training, determine other rules for your pup. Will they be allowed on the furniture? Are there any rooms they are not allowed in? Will they sleep on a bed? in their crate? in your bed with you?

Teach your pup what they can and can not do. They should be taught to only chew on their toys, not your shoes, among other rules.

You should also give your pup their own space and alone time. This can be done with crate training. The length of crate time depends on the age of your pup. For example, if your pup is 8-10 weeks old, they should have 30-60 minutes of crate time. An 11-14 week old pup should have 1-3 hours, a 15-16 week old pup should have 3-4 hours, and a pup 17 weeks and older should have between 4 and 5 hours.

Puppy school can also help you with training and socializing your puppy. It is a good idea to teach your companion basic commands to help with impulse control and make it easier to walk, feed, and live with your pal.

Socialization is crucial to the development of your puppy. You can do this by changing walking routes, taking them to doggy daycare, setting up playdates with other dogs, and taking them to the park to meet new friends. It is important for your pal to make new friends with people as well as other dogs. Your pup should get to know many different people of different sizes and ages to become comfortable with others.

The earlier you enforce rules the better! It is much harder to change their behavior later on.

Puppy Love

Be patient and compassionate with your furry friend as they get comfortable in their new home. Give your pup three or four weeks to become comfortable and familiar with their surroundings, routine, and family. Your new best friend will need some time to learn that they are in their forever home and to trust you completely. Give them unconditional love and understanding throughout the process.

Follow this checklist and you will be all set to enjoy the company of a new puppy!