Preparing for Your First Puppy

So the family has had a meeting and a decision has been made – you are going to get your first puppy.  Whether you are opting for a little ball of fluff or a big dog that will get bigger, there are some pieces of advice that remain the same.  Here we help you prepare for your first puppy.

Basics

The most important thing for any dog is their food and water so the first things you need to get are bowls for this.  There are some cute and funny shaped ones out there but most dog owners will tell you that a solid ceramic or stainless steel bowl are winners.  Plastic bowls are too easily chewed as those little teeth grow and these chew marks can actually harbour bacteria that can infect the food or cause teeth and gum infections.

A mat to stand these on is a good idea to help save the mess on the floor, though be prepared that the dishes don’t stay there all the time when the puppy is still in their exuberant and enthusiastic time!

Having mentioned chewing, this leads to another crucial element for a new puppy – toys.  If you don’t provide them with chewable (and destructible) toys, they will find items around the house to do the job.  Likely the thing you least want chewing or that could even be dangerous.  Chewable toys help them with their teeth and is enjoyable for them.  Make sure that the toys are specially designed for pets, non-toxic and don’t have any small parts that can be chewed off, swallowed and become a choking hazard.

Identification

There are several different ideas about identification for your puppy but it is important to choose an option as soon as you pick him up.  By law, all dogs need to wear a collar that has a tag on with your name and address, a phone number being a good idea too.  In addition to this, many owners choose to microchip the puppy too.  This is a quick and painless procedure carried out by your vet and isn’t as easy to shake loose as a collar can be.  Vets and shelters can scan the information on the chip if your puppy gets away from you and ensure you are reunited with them.

Other items

Grooming your puppy is important to help them keep their coat in good order but is also an important bonding experience between the two of you.  Pick them up a personalised dog brush that is only used for them and have a regular grooming session.  Dogs often need a bath too so best to get them used to this experience from a young age.

Before the puppy arrives, it is important to puppy-proof the house.  You might want to consider a stair gate if they are able to get to the stairs to stop accidents.  Also go around the house and think like a puppy – what can they chew?  How high will their reach be and what can they get at?  All of this can help avoid accidents and injuries once they have arrived, though your puppy should always be supervised when young.