Things to Have Ready When Puppy Comes Home

Bringing a new member into your household is a big event for both puppy and you!  You’ll want to help your new puppy get settled as quickly as possible so he can grow accustomed to your family routine.  There are so many products for dogs that it’s easy to get bogged down with too much information and product overload.  Let’s keep it simple and stick to the necessities you’ll need when you bring your new puppy home.  Ideally you’ll want to have purchased these items before the big day, that way you can focus on enjoying your new pup and helping him get settled.  Here is a checklist of items that you’ll want to have ready before bringing home your new best friend.

1.  Crate and Divider

I have always used wire crates for crate training and housebreaking.  Wire crates allow your pup great visibility so he can see what’s going on around him much easier. This can often comfort a new puppy, who is away from his littermates and mom for the first time.  For details on buying a dog crate, please check out the article Choosing a Crate for Your Dog (coming soon).  I like to make a crate purchase just once, so I buy the full grown dog size crate (this depends on what breed you choose), and then I use a crate divider to size it correctly for the puppy.  Using a crate that’s the appropriate size for your dog aids in housebreaking by giving him just enough room to stand, turn around, and sleep comfortably.
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2.  Dog Bowls

It’s easy to buy food and forget to pick up bowls!  Stainless steel “no-tip” dog bowls are recommended.  Stainless steel is easy to wash, and is generally rust-proof as well as chew resistant.  Using a stainless steel bowl can also eliminate what’s known as “contact dermatitis” which can occasionally happen with dogs that are fed from plastic bowls.  A “no-tip” bowl has a wide base at the bottom so curious puppies can’t paw the edge of their bowl to tip it over and watch hilarity ensue.

3.  Food

It’s important to keep feeding the same food that your breeder has fed your puppy.  Even if you are planning to switch brands, you will still want to buy a few weeks worth of puppy food so your food changeover is gentle on your puppy’s stomach.  You might ask your breeder if they will sell you the food, but just knowing what brand and style of kibble your puppy has been eating will also work.

4.  Collar, Leash, ID Tags

For growing puppies, I prefer an adjustable nylon collar with a quick-release such as this one. For a leash (also referred to as a lead) I like to use a six foot nylon lead with stainless steel snap.  I don’t recommend Flexi-leads because I feel that it doesn’t teach your puppy how to properly walk on a leash next to you, and let out too far can get your puppy into trouble faster than you might be able to rescue him.  When your puppy is older and past the teething stage, I like leather collars and leads for obedience work because the longer you use one, the softer and more pliable the leather gets.  Don’t forget the ID tag!  Many pet stores now have a kiosk at the front of the store where you can make custom dog tags with your dog’s name and your contact information.

5.  Toys

Keep your puppy out of your things by giving him his own set of toys!  A few necessary toys are a rope toy, a “Kong “, and a tennis ball.  Rope toys are handy because it gives your pup a great teething object, and can be a fun toss and retrieve item as well as a great tug toy.  A “Kong ” is a thick rubber toy that is virtually indestructible (by most dogs that is).  It has a hole in the bottom so you can stuff dog biscuits and treats into it which keep your puppy busy as he tries to work them out of the hole.  There are also some great Kong recipes freezing dog treats and peanut butter to make the treats a bit harder to get out of the hole.  And definitely a tennis ball is in order — wear that puppy out so he sleeps well!  I don’t allow my pups to chew on tennis balls unattended when they’re young.  I like it as a “play drive” reward so they’re always ready to fetch (more on this in another article).  As your pup gets older you can introduce more toys into his toy box.  You might want to rotate out several toys at a time and put the old ones in storage to keep your pups from getting bored.

6.  Treats

Training begins on day one, and treats are a great way to coax your puppy into training sessions with enthusiasm.  For puppies, I like to dice hot dogs – cut into small chunks, and keep them handy in a Ziploc snack pack sized bag in the refrigerator.  Other great treats are dog jerky strips torn into small pieces.  The trick is not to have treats so large that your puppy gets stuffed in a couple of bites, but just enough to keep your puppy interested in training sessions and eager to learn.

7.  Grooming Tools

Depending on your breed of puppy, your grooming tools may vary.  Routine brushing helps keep your pup’s coat shiny and can reduce the amount of shedding.  I like to use a rubber curry brush called a “Zoom Groom ” outside to remove loose fur and massage the dog’s skin, which helps bring out the natural oils in his coat.  Then if necessary, I follow up with a soft bristle brush to get the rest of the loose hair. Give your puppy lots of treats when brushing and he’ll love the attention!  You’ll also want to pick up nail clippers especially for dogs, and encourage gentle handling of the paws with treats to establish a secure relationship for nail trimming.

After purchasing your puppy items from your checklist, make sure that the bowls have been washed, the crate has been assembled, and everything for your new pup is in its place.  Then when puppy comes home, you can introduce him to his crate with treats, show him his new toys, and give him a good meal of the food he’s accustomed to.  You’re well on your way to getting puppy settled in and content in his life as your new best friend!