Are you preparing for the arrival of a puppy? Once you’ve decided to get a puppy, the planning starts. After all, you don’t want to be making any late-night trips for supplies you forgot to get beforehand!
Although you can’t plan for every scenario, there are some tasks you can cross off your to-do list before your puppy arrives. In this article, we’ll cover five tasks you can do to prepare your home for a new puppy.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Puppies are known for getting into things, from chewing on power cords to eating your favorite pair of shoes. Puppy-proofing your home is a great way to prepare for your new puppy. Not only will you have peace of mind if you leave the room for a minute, but you also protect your belongings and your puppy from harm. Here are some ways to puppy-proof your home:
- Remove any poisonous plants.
- Purchase tubing for electrical cords.
- Invest in a trash can with a lid.
- Move chewable belongings off the floor, such as shoes.
- Remove rugs until your puppy is potty trained.
- Put away any sharp objects, cleaning supplies, or medications.
Anything that you believe might be a threat to your puppy should be put away or out of reach. Once your puppy does arrive, you can spend time getting to know your pooch instead of worrying about the hazards in your home!
Create a Safe Space
Bringing a puppy home is not only a change for your family but for your new puppy as well. This makes it important to create a safe space from the moment your puppy comes home. For most puppy owners, a crate is a great designated safe space. Your puppy’s crate is a place they feel safe, secure, and enjoy being in.
Even if you aren’t using a crate, mark off a section of your home as your puppy’s safe space. When setting up this area, be sure it’s warm, dry, and cozy. Your puppy should enjoy spending time in this area!
Purchase Supplies
Caring for your puppy comes with some necessary supplies. Before you pick up your puppy, be sure you have the following items on hand:
- Food and water dishes
- Puppy food
- Bedding
- Gate
- Leash and collar
- Grooming supplies
- Dental hygiene supplies
- Puppy-safe cleaning supplies
- Car harness
- Toys
- Puppy mats
- Treats
Having these basic items ready to go at your house ensures that you are prepared for the first few days. Remember, the type of breed you select will determine the supplies you need on hand. For example, if you get a poodle, you might need to invest in special grooming supplies. This is why it’s important to research your puppy breed or consult with an expert prior to bringing your pooch home!
Select a Veterinarian
Puppies will need regular vet visits in the first few months, from shots to general checkups. To ensure your puppy doesn’t miss a crucial visit, research and select your vet before you bring your puppy home. You might find that certain vets aren’t onboarding new clients or there is a wait list. Understanding this information before your puppy comes home is important.
Additionally, establishing a relationship with a veterinarian before your puppy comes home gives you an expert to turn to with any questions. What happens if your puppy is refusing to eat? How about if they accidentally eat something? Your veterinarian guides you through the first few weeks of puppy ownership, serving as your trusted expert.
Sign Up for Training Classes
Training is a priority once your puppy comes home. From learning basic commands like sit and stay to potty training and ensuring proper socialization, training will become a part of your puppy’s routine. As you prepare for your puppy’s arrival, look into training classes or one-on-one trainers. Some classes fill up quickly, meaning you need to sign up prior to bringing your puppy home.
Puppies are most receptive to training between 8 and 16 weeks of age. With most puppies being released to homes around 8 weeks, you don’t have any time to waste when it comes to training. Doing research ahead of time and enrolling in training classes helps both you and your puppy form expectations and solidify good behavior from the start.
Summary
Are you prepared to bring your puppy home? If you are struggling to know where to start with planning, complete these five tasks. Otherwise, reach out to one of our team members who can walk you through everything you need to know about preparing for your puppy’s arrival.
