Puppy Care Essentials
Getting a new puppy in the house can be the best thing you do for yourself and your family. The tiny creature can bring so much joy to the house. Pets are said to be very good for mental health, they offer companionship and can sense when you need some cheering up. Furthermore, they are also good at keeping you fit with regular walks and runs in the park. However, a new puppy can be quite a handful and require as much preparation as welcoming a new baby into the house. You have to take care of the growth and development, grooming, exercise and more. In this article, we have gathered all the essentials when getting home a new puppy. So, if you want to know what essentials you need for a puppy, keep on reading.
Puppy Proof
We weren’t joking when we said that preparing for a new puppy is almost the same as welcoming a new baby into the house. You need to puppy-proof the house. However, unlike baby-proofing, you don’t need to do too much when puppy-proofing the house. One of the first things we would recommend installing is a baby gate. You might need to install a few baby gates if you have a big house. These can be useful if you want to restrict your puppy’s movement.
Additionally, keep things that can be chewed out of reach. Chords and wires in the living room and bedroom can turn into your puppy’s chew toy. Indoor plants need to be kept at an unreachable level. Furthermore, a lot of these plants can be toxic for your puppy and you might even know it. So, it’s best to keep them away. Don’t have any open bins around the house and keep all your medicinal and cleaning supplies at a height. Try to keep your shoes out of reach at height or in a closed cabinet and the same goes for your clothes. If you have a garden, keep all gardening supplies far away from your puppy.
Personal Space
Just like you need a space to sit back and relax at home, your puppy needs it too. Getting them a bed is a great way to make them feel comfortable at home. Puppies can be super hyper at one moment and dead tired at the next, so you need to have a comfortable and plushy bed prepared for them in the house. Place the soft plush bed near your own bed when the puppy is very young. Your presence next to them will make them feel safe and secure, and allow both of you to have a good night’s sleep. Always make sure you buy a bigger bed than your pup because they grow very quickly and you don’t want to end up buying new beds every two weeks.
Play Pens and Crates
Crate training is a great way to ensure that your pet can remain calm at the vet’s and survive long road trips. These are also a great way to train your pup to have a routine. Crates don’t allow a lot of movement for the pup and putting them in a crate for naps is a great way to train them. Puppies can get over-excited and cause a lot of damage, so a crate can help control those bouts of excitement.
Just like crates are used to control your puppy’s excited movements, playpens are a great way to let them enjoy themselves in a controlled environment. Playpens create a small playing area for your puppy that is safe. You can set up a playpen indoors or outdoors and limit the space for your pup to run around. The purpose of placing a playpen outdoors is to not let them run too far away, especially when they’re young. Indoor playpens allow you to separate your pup from causing any damage to things in the house and keep them away from your children if you have any.
Toys For The Little Pup
The most important parts of your puppy’s growth are exercise and playing around. Toys are a great way to promote some sort of activity for your puppy. They need to burn off a lot of energy throughout the day and toys are a great way to keep them occupied. With puppies, you also have to deal with teething. Hence, chew toys are a must. We would always recommend buying toys made from natural materials instead of plastic. Plastic releases toxins that can be harmful to the little pup.
Along with chewing toys, your puppy will need a companion. There is always that one favourite toy that your puppy will always lean towards. A snuggle buddy is very helpful for the puppy in their growing years. These plush toys offer a sense of comfort and tend to help with any anxiety or separation issues that your pup might have. Always remember that your puppy’s toys need to be very durable since they will be chewed on, thrown around and raked through the mud. So, make sure you buy toys that can take a beating.
Food and Water
One of the most crucial parts of your puppy’s growth is nutrition. You have to make sure that your puppy is well fed and gets an ample amount of rest. Always have a set of stainless steel bowls for water and food that should be placed in the kitchen or dining room. Plastic bowls can be harmful to your puppy, so always go for stainless steel.
Never go for cheap alternatives when it comes to food. Always go for the quality stuff as this is your puppy we are talking about. Premium wet and dry foods should be purchased for the little pup. We recommend buying food according to your dog’s age and weight.
Puppy Formula
General puppy formula works for most puppies but if they are growing up to be big dogs, you might need to buy food according to their breed. This is because puppy formulas are meant for growth and contain a lot of fat that leads to weight gain. Puppies normally burn off all the fat but certain breeds might find it difficult to shed that weight. Hence, it might result in long term problems such as joint pains and mobility issues.
Treats!!
There are conflicting opinions about giving treats to your puppy. We suggest you stay away from treats during your puppy’s growing stages. For the healthy growth and development of your puppy, you need to feed them puppy formula or food that is appropriate for them. At this stage, your puppy needs all the nutrition it can get. So, feed them well.
Training Your Puppy
Your puppy is new to a lot of things and needs to be trained. There are a lot of training supplies that are needed to keep your puppy active and happy.
Toilet Training
This is by far the most important training your puppy will need. Toilet training allows your puppy to be a little more independent as they grow up and allows you to set a routine for them as well. You have to train your puppy into having a toilet routine and the only way you can do this is to start the process at home. Toilet pads are a great way to toilet train your puppy at home. This also allows your puppy to be more comfortable inside your house. There are multiple types of toilet pads available online that are super absorbent and are scented to keep any foul smells locked away. Choose the one you like on MyDeal!
Travel Training
Before you think about training your puppy to go out on long drives with you, you have to begin with their daily walks. You cannot leave your puppy alone even for a second. They are babies that need constant guidance and support from you. For their daily walks, you will need a collar and a leash. A collar with an ID tag is a crucial item that your puppy requires. While collars are not really important, they are necessary to hang a name tag and attach a leash.
ID tags are important because, in the unfortunate event of losing your little pup, they can be returned to you if they have an ID tag with your contact information around their neck. Additionally, for younger pups leashes that are about 5 ft in length are perfect. In the early stages, your goal is to take your pup for regular walks around the block. You can later go for a retractable leash once you start taking your puppy out for long walks or runs.
Grooming Equipment
Taking care of your puppy also includes grooming. Depending on their breed you will have to buy the right kind of tools for their fur. Dogs with a long fur coat would require a set of brushes and combs for daily grooming. Short-haired coats would require a little rigorous brushing out with a stippled rubber mitt. Make sure you are prepared with your shears for shedding season as well.
Always buy shampoos and conditioners that are meant for your dog’s breed. This way your puppy will always have beautifully soft hair. Along with that, get your puppy into the habit of being groomed. Baths, hair brushing, teeth cleaning and nail clipping are activities that your dog may not enjoy if they haven’t become accustomed to them. Nail clipping is not for everyone. If you have gotten your puppy into the habit of getting their nails clipped by you then it’s fine. Otherwise, we would recommend taking them to a professional grooming shop.
Welcome the New Puppy with Open Arms
The absolutely essential thing you need when welcoming a puppy into your home is a lot of love and care. This tiny creature will bring a lot of happiness to your world. So, along with all the necessary equipment, you will need to create the perfect environment for the puppy as well. Regular visits to the vet, exercise and activity and of course the right kind of food will help your puppy grow healthy and happy. This along with a lot of toys and cuddles from you is all you will need for the perfect puppy starter kit!
