If you’re reading this, at some point in your life you’ve probably wanted a puppy. Most people cannot resist the youthful innocence and lovable faces of puppies. So, you now have a puppy, and whether you know it or not, you’ve committed yourself to caring for your new friend for up to fifteen years or more. However, what you do within the first year of your puppy’s life has a major affect on your dog’s personality and health for the rest of its life.
Before bringing your pup home you need to puppy-proof your house and yard, and plan on changing your daily routine to include spending lots of time with your new friend. To puppy-proof your house, make sure that anything you don’t want chewed is not in reach of your puppy; this includes cords, pillows, shoes, papers or books, and/or clothes. Also, as with children, make sure all cleaning products and other toxic substances are out of reach of your pup. You may want to purchase a baby gate to keep your puppy off the stairs (if you have them), or even out certain areas/rooms of the house. As for the yard, pick up garden hoses and tools, and check your yard for any poisonous plants.
Next, you’ll need to purchase various items for your puppy. Your new puppy will need a bed, collar and ID tag, food and water bowls, leash, grooming supplies (shampoo, brush), and toys. It may be best to set up the bed on a tile or non-carpeted floor to minimize accidental stains on your carpet. Grooming supplies are needed to keep your puppy clean, which will decrease your pup’s chances of getting a sickness or disease. Remember, your puppy may crawl into and explore areas of your house and yard that are not puppy-proofed, so consistent grooming will help to keep your puppy clean and will provide you with an opportunity to do a full body check of your puppy for any questionable marks or scrapes.
Once you are ready to bring your puppy home, ask the breeder or pet shop manager for an object (blanket or toy) that smells like your puppy’s mother. Place this object in your puppy’s bed to help him feel less separation anxiety. Spending time with your puppy consistently will make your puppy feel more at home with you, and lessen the affects of stress and separation anxiety. When your puppy is up playing, play with him/her; use the time when your puppy is sleeping to do your normal activities, such as dishes or laundry. Although puppies are very active, they also need a large amount of rest because their bodies are growing.
