You’re obtaining a pup? Congratulations on learning to be a pawrent! While it’d be remiss to compare nurturing a pup to increasing a child, there are definite parallels: It needs work, patience, money, and a lot of time. And like nurturing a child, you’ll be rewarded handsomely with love – albeit your dog companion is much more likely to lick that person in appreciation than your individuals child would (hopefully, anyway).
New Puppy Checklist Guide
Puppy parenting, like regular parenting, can be frustrating. There’s a lot for you both to learn, and your own work should start before you bring your treasured pooch home. Thankfully for you, we’ve compiled the best PUPPY Checklist to truly get you began. From staple materials, to essentials like family pet insurance and your dog DNA test, here’s all you need to be the best fur baby parent ever.
1. Make sure you’re ready for what a large responsibility a pup is!
Never to get all mommy on you, but a pup is actually a full-time job, especially in the first few months. Make sure to can give a puppy the health care and attention they want before learning to be a pet parent.
Even just the everyday products takes a lot of effort. New puppies have to be fed 3 to 4 times per day and walked or considered outside immediately afterward – and even then, they’ll undoubtedly have some accidents indoors that you’ll have to completely clean up. Puppies will also likely wake you up at night time to alleviate themselves (which is preferable to some, who’ll just leave chaos that you can step in another day). Puppies additionally require quite somewhat of socialization and exercise, that can be time-consuming for anybody, particularly if you’re juggling work, institution, or kids.
Make no mistake. It’s rewarding – and (like the majority of satisfying things) a tall order. If it sounds like somewhat more than you are designed for, that’s OK! There are plenty of adult dogs in need of homes who love you unconditionally and require less work from the outset.
2. Find the right doggy for you.
Some breeds or mixes may be better fits for you than others. Some facts to consider whenever choosing a puppy include:
Size: If you have a home in a small studio room, you might be better suitable for a pug than you are a pitbull.
Activity level: If you’re working, you will want puppy that will keep up with you, and vice versa. If you’re buying binge-watching friend to accompany you on the sofa, be certain the pup you take home prefers cuddling to cross-country runs.
Fur or locks type: If getting dog head of hair on your clothes, furniture, carpets, and car upholstery would drive you crazy, consider a pup that doesn’t shed. However, know a low-shedding dog will probably require regular grooming, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Allergies: In the event that you or anyone in your home is allergic to dog dander, choose a pup that’s hypoallergenic.
Kids under 10: Some breeds – like labs, bull canines, collies, etc. – are better fitted to children than others.
Volume: Just how much barking is it possible to tolerate? How loud? Some breeds will be a lot more vocal than others, and it’s your decision whether that’s sweet, or will drive you crazy.
Other domestic pets: Whether you have a kitty at home or plan on getting another dog someday, be certain your puppy can acclimate and get along with them.
Purebred vs. combined breed: Your neighborhood shelter is probable chock-full of rescue puppies, a lot of which is mixed breeds. Combined breed pups are unique, adorable, and could be less susceptible to certain health issues than their purebred peers. In the event that you truly want a purebred pup, do your due diligence in researching breeders to avoid pup mills.
3. Puppy-proof your home.
Before taking your new puppy home, make certain that “home” is safe and accommodating for your four-legged friend. A lot like child- and baby-proofing a home before you bring the pitter patter of little feet into your daily life, you’ll want to prepare for the pitter patter of little paws, too. To start:
You may have to rearrange a few of your furniture and decor to give ample room for indoor zooming! Your pup will need space to experiment with, so make sure to keep anything delicate anywhere they can’t knock it over.
Until your pup is adept at dashing up and down stairs, by using a gate can keep them safe from dangerous tumbles.
When you have a garden, be sure it’s fenced. When you have an in-ground pool, fence it or otherwise obstruct it from your puppy’s reach. If you have an above-ground pool, be certain they can’t reach the ladder or steps. Also be certain your pup can’t gain access to plants that may be harmful to them, like daffodils, that you may have in your garden.
Stock up on anti-chew squirt and present your wiring, furniture, shoes, and other things they may gnaw on (and with a teething puppy, that’s a great deal) a good spritz.
Keep laundry away of your puppy’s reach – especially dryer sheets, that are toxic to canines.
Cover shoes, socks, and some other small items which may be inside your puppy’s reach and recognised incorrectly as a chew toy.
Put electrical cords and wire connections out of these reach or sight.
Move houseplants, a lot of which can be toxic to domestic pets, out of reach.
Spend money on trash cans with snapping lids (or place them in a hidden cabinet).
If your puppy sheds, make sure to snag lint rollers, vacuum pressure, dust mops and/or a rubber broom to completely clean up loose fur.
Lock cabinets containing food, drugs, and chemicals.
Uncertain how in order to if your pup can reach something? Can get on all fours for one minute to find the dog’s-eye view.
4. Fill up on puppy equipment.
Your new best friend will require some items before you take them home. Focus on the basics for the present time, and depending on your puppy’s personality and what they like, you can go to town searching for extras later:
Puppy food
Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe water bowls and food bowls
Puppy dog treats, including training treats
Changeable collar (since your pup will grow quickly!)
ID tags with contact info like contact number
Basic leash
Long leash for training
Potty training pads
Poop bags
Puppy toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental treats
Enzyme cleaner for accidents
Anti-chew squirt (you’ll want to squirt this on the leash!)
Grooming products (high-quality brush/comb for your puppy’s fur type, plus nail clippers and pup shampoo)
Dog foundation and dog crate with enough room to grow
Training clicker
Baby gate or playpen
Blankets (if you reside in a colder area)
Puppy toys (one each of squeak, plush, puzzle and chew toys, in addition to the old traditional – a ball!)
5. Do a doggy DNA test.
Once you bring your new pupper home, it’s time to bond and move on to know them! While there’s a lot you can find out about your brand-new pet’s tastes, temperament, and intelligence simply by hanging out with them, there are other priceless things you can learn now too with a simple swab of the cheek, because of recent scientific improvements in pet genetics.
Like real human DNA, your pup’s DNA can speak volumes about them. It could find out your mystery mutt’s unique breed combination, or offer you perception into your purebred’s quirky physical features. It could even identify hereditary or breed-specific conditions your doggy could be at risk for in the foreseeable future.
6. Invest in pet insurance.
From catastrophic accidents to common illnesses, you can expect to spend about $16,600* on veterinary care over the course of a dog’s life. Add a serious crisis into the combination and it might cost thousands more! If your puppy gets sick or injured, dog or cat insurance can help cover a sizable majority of the veterinary bills for the treatments. Because you should never have to choose between providing the best care for your pet and keeping your finances in balance.
7. Set boundaries.
Soon after taking your new puppy home, decide with your loved ones or roommates if they will be allowed on the furniture and using rooms of your home. Also decide where they’ll sleep: in the crate? Over a foundation? Cuddled up next for you? You can transform your mind later, but know that it’s much much easier to reinforce prospects and rules like these in early stages than it is to change a behavior later!