Puppies can be a lot of work, so a new puppy owner guide is exactly what many new dog parents need. Keep reading to find out some beneficial new puppy tips so you can give your pup the best care possible.
Getting a New Puppy Checklist
Getting a dog should never be a spur of the moment decision. Before you bring a puppy home, make sure you gather all the necessary supplies so your dog can come home to an environment that’s suitable for them.
Here’s a list of items to purchase for a new puppy:
- Puppy food
- A crate and/or playpen
- Dog beds
- Training treats
- Collar with identification tags
- Harness and leash
- Poop bags
- Puppy pads
- Food and water bowls
- Variety of toys (squeaky toys, chew toys, puzzle toys, etc.)
The above products are just the basics that you should buy in advance. Eventually, you’ll also want to gather some more specific items, such as dog toothpaste/toothbrush, dental chews, shampoo, and a brush.
Setting a Routine
Another important part of getting a new puppy is determining a routine in advance. Decide when the puppy will go outside, be fed, and go to bed. Young puppies can only hold their bladders for about an hour for every month of age. So, if you bring home a puppy right at 8 weeks old, you’ll need to prepare to take them out at least every two hours as you potty train them.
A consistent routine is essential for helping a puppy get used to their new home, so everyone in your household should be on the same page with your puppy’s routine.
Choosing a Good Diet
There are endless dog foods to choose from, which can be overwhelming for new puppy owners. To help you narrow down your search, look for food made specifically for puppies. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs to support their rapid growth rates.
Puppy food should be rich in protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, carbohydrates, copper, and amino acids. The food should also be highly digestible since a puppy’s digestive system is still maturing.
Specific Puppy Foods
Some puppy foods are formulated for dogs of specific sizes, based on the expected adult size of the puppy. Small to medium puppies may benefit from puppy food with smaller kibble pieces. Large to giant puppies should get food formulated specifically for large breeds because they have more drastic growth rates and different nutritional needs from smaller dogs.
Also, keep your puppy’s breed in mind. If your puppy is a high-energy breed, such as a Border Collie or German Shepherd, they may need more high-quality, digestible protein in their diet. If your dog has a long, fluffy coat, they could benefit from food with extra omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Changing Your Puppy’s Food
If you end up choosing a food that’s not right for your puppy or that your puppy doesn’t like, you can always change it. When in doubt, talk to your vet about the best food for your puppy’s life stage and breed. To safely switch your puppy to a new food, you’ll need to do a gradual transition by mixing some of the old food with the new food for at least a week.
Getting Started on Basic Training
Training should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home, and it should continue for their whole lives. Below are a few types of training to focus on.
Potty Training
If you’re adopting a young puppy, they probably aren’t potty trained. So, you’ll need to take them out frequently and reward them every time they do their business outside. If they have an accident, don’t punish them or rub their face in it. Instead, quickly take them outside and reward them when they finish doing their business in the yard.
Crate Training
Even if you don’t plan to crate your dog, it’s still a good idea to crate-train them in case you ever need to confine them. Start by rewarding them any time they sniff the crate or go in it on their own. Then, leave them in the crate for short periods, starting with a few minutes and working your way up to a half hour, an hour, and then a few hours.
Basic Commands
Start with commands like “sit,” “come,” and “stay.” Learning these commands can be fun for your dog and strengthen their bond with you. Plus, learning basic commands can help you get their attention more easily, making teaching them advanced commands more manageable.
Is Pet Insurance a Good Idea?
Some new puppy parents buy pet insurance right away while other dog owners never get it. It all depends on your preferences and financial situation.
If you don’t want to stress about large vet bills, pet insurance can be a good idea. Some pet insurance plans may cover basic things, such as vaccines and checkups, while others are more for emergencies so you don’t have to break the bank to save your dog’s life. The monthly fee varies greatly depending on the provider and plan you choose.
Pet insurance isn’t a requirement, but it’s a great way to not stress about your pet’s health. If you’re worried you might not be able to cover your dog’s vet bills in an emergency, it’s a good idea to have pet insurance just to be safe. However, you should research popular pet insurance plans to decide for yourself.
Make Sure You’re Prepared Before Getting a Puppy
All the above categories make up a general new puppy owner guide, but there’s always more for dog parents to learn. Make sure you do lots of research on reputable places to get a dog from, and if you’re interested in a specific breed, research that breed to make sure it’s the right choice for you.
As cute as puppies are, they’re not for everyone. If after doing research, you realize a puppy is more work than you can handle, consider adopting an adult dog instead. Or if you have your heart set on a puppy, wait until you have enough space, time, and money to properly care for one. Dogs are part of the family, so bringing one home is a big decision.