New Puppy Checklist
Bringing home a new puppy to add to the family is a very happy and exciting time! And while playtime and puppy snuggles are all you’re going to want to do, there are a few others things to do in order to set your pup up for success!
Here is our list of the basic essentials you need to have when you add a pup to the family.
Things To Have Before Bringing a Puppy Home
Adjustable Collar
Having a collar for your pup will be important so you can immediately get them used to having it on and so you can start going on walks. An adjustable collar will be good so that you don’t have to keep running out to buy a new collar as your pup grows.
A Nice Leash
Puppies tend to chew. This could mean their toys, your shoes, your furniture, and yes even their leash. This is why investing in a good-quality leash is so important. Nylon leashes are usually the best as they will hold up the best against puppy teeth.
ID Tags
It’s a good idea to get your pup an ID tag as soon as possible. While we never want to think of this happening, it can be very easy for a pup to escape and run off, even if we only take our eyes off of them for a second. This is why an ID tag is so important. Put all the essential information on it such as your phone number or address so you can be reunited with your furry friend.
Microchip
Some rescue shelters and breeders will microchip puppies before they are adopted, so if that is the case, ensure you have the registration moved to your name and information. If your puppy hasn’t already been microchipped, talk to your vet about getting that done. It is a good insurance policy should your pup ever go missing.
Food and Water Bowls
The simplest of things can often get overlooked, so be sure you have a designated food and water bowl for your pup. Basic bowls will be fine at first as you learn more about your dog’s eating style or medical needs.
Puppy Food
There are a ton of dog food options out there, so talk to your vet about what food options they recommend for puppies.
Puppy Pads
Let’s face it, housetraining a dog is no easy task, and these pads are a great way to reduce potential messes. They are great to put in kennels or in areas where your pup is frequently going to the bathroom.
Puppy Crate
Crates are going to be essential for bringing a puppy home. It’s impossible to keep your eyes on a puppy 24/7, so if you can’t give them your attention at the moment, putting them in a crate is a great way to keep them out of trouble and safe.
A crate will also be essential for dogs who will sleep in a crate or will be put in crates when the humans leave the house.
Essential Services for Your Pup
Once you bring a puppy home, there are a few things you need to do in order to make sure they are healthy and set up for success.
Call the Vet
The first thing on your new puppy’s to-do list is going to be making an appointment with your vet. They will want to give your dog a full exam to make sure they are healthy as well as offer guidance on things like food brands, exercise levels. amount of sleep they need, and all kinds of other stuff.
Your dog will need to get a lot of vaccinations in order to keep them healthy. Check out our Puppy Vaccination Guide to make sure your puppy is on track for all of its immunizations.
Pet Insurance
You probably aren’t thinking about accidents or injuries with your new pup, but it’s good to be prepared for every outcome. Pet insurance is a great way to ensure that any potential treatments your pup will encounter down the road are going to be covered.
Other services
Dog Trainer
A certified dog trainer can make training your puppy a lot easier as well as make them easier to handle as they get bigger.
Dog Walker
If your household is gone throughout the day at work or school, someone may need to come by your house to let Fido out or take them for a walk.
Groomer
While some dogs need to be groomed more than others, it’s important to do some research and find a groomer near you that you trust.
The Fun Stuff
Once you get all of the important essentials out of the way, that’s when you get started doing all of the fun things you envisioned when you decided to add a puppy to the family. This could mean new toys, going on hikes, or hunting! Whatever you choose to do with your dog, they will love spending time with you and growing up surrounded by the love of your family!