Have New Puppy - Will Need Help and Pet Accessories Online – 9 Helpful Hints

So you have that cute little bundle of joy ready to take home. You’re eagerly looking forward to all the fun you will have, and rightly so, because puppies are lots of fun - most of the time. In order to maximize the fun times and make you and the puppy’s lives more enjoyable, there are preparations that must be made before the puppy comes home. Here are some puppy essentials and goodies that will help make the homecoming easier and more fun.

1. Remove temptation and danger - Before you bring that new puppy home, there are many things you need to do to “puppy proof” your home and yard. Electrical and computer cords need to be protected from the inquisitive pup. Everything small enough for a puppy to put in his mouth must be picked up or put away out of their reach. Puppies will chew and or swallow nearly anything. Yarn, thread, string, socks and underwear are all things that puppies love but can be dangerous if they swallow them. Pesticides and toilet bowl cleaners should never be used in your home if you have a puppy. It is a foregone conclusion that at some point the puppy will attempt to drink out of the stool. Diaper pails, trash cans and litter boxes are favorite places for an exploring puppy. In the garage, make sure that the antifreeze, rodent killers and herbicides are well out of the reach. There are many very common plants that if ingested, can be fatal to your dog. Just a few are Lily of the Valley, Oleander, Rhododendron, Japanese yew, and Poinsettia.

2. Food – Have an adequate supply of a name brand puppy food (yes, I said puppy food, not dog food) on hand. Your puppy needs the special nutrients in puppy food to help him develop properly. If the previous owner has been feeding the puppy something other than what you are going to use, mix some of the old food with the new so he can gradually adjust to the new diet.

3. Bowls – Buy food and water bowls that are easily cleaned and as spill proof as possible. Stainless steel is a good choice because they are indestructible and easily sanitized. Buy a size that will accommodate the dog as he gets older.

4. Bedding – It may not be necessary to buy special bedding for your pup. He may be perfectly happy with an old blanket in the corner rather than some expensive designer bed. Remember that puppies love to chew and will not make an exception for their bedding. You may want to wait until the puppy has outgrown the chewing stage before investing in an expensive bed.

5. Toys – Be particularly choosy when purchasing toys for your new pup. Puppies are nature's best effort at creating the ideal chewing machine. If the toys have small parts such as buttons or eyes that can be easily chewed off, you are giving the puppy a head start on destroying the toy and are providing him with a choking hazard as well. Braided rope, nylabones and wooly toys are good choices for a puppy as well as some other pet accessories online .

6. Leashes and collars – You will need at least two leashes, one five or 6 foot lightweight leash and one 16 or 20 foot extendable lead. You will need a longer leash and some other pet accessories online after a couple of months or so for training purposes and controlling the puppy when he wants to wander a distance away from you. A good choice for the first collar is a narrow adjustable nylon with a plastic quick release buckle. Do not use pinch or choke collars on your pup. Attach an identification tag to your puppy’s collar immediately, which only includes your own name, address and telephone number.

7. Crates – Remember that all dogs are den animals and feel secure when they have their own private enclosed space. When he is in his crate the puppy will consider it to be his own private haven away from all the demands of his humans. A wire mesh crate available from pet accessories online is a good choice as it allows the puppy to see out and provides for good ventilation. The crate can be covered with a light blanket or large towel when it is sleepy time. For ease of transportation and storage look for a crate that folds up. Buy the crate big enough to accommodate the dog after he grows into an adult.

8. The trip home - You should try to pick the puppy up at a time when you will be able to spend several days with him. Remember that this change in the puppy's life is probably the most traumatic that he will ever experience. With no warning he is suddenly taken away from his siblings, his mother, his owners and the only home he has ever known, by someone he has never seen before! On the ride home, either hold him or provide a crate and a soft towel for him to snuggle in. Speak softly and gently to him during the ride, and do not allow any harassment or playing during this time.

9. Grooming - Not much grooming will be required for the first few months of the puppy's life. However, it's a good idea to lightly brush the puppy periodically to acquaint him with the grooming process. A tearless shampoo is a necessity to remove the “yucky stuff” the puppy will inevitably choose to roll in.

A little common sense will go a long way in making the changes in your puppy’s life as easy as possible. Try to look at it from the puppy's point of view and create an atmosphere in which the puppy can feel secure and happy in his new surroundings with his new owners.

Author: Gary Parker

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