4. Teach Them the Basics
While you are more than welcome to immediately get your pup signed up for training classes there are a few things you can do on your own. Get a short leash so you can teach him polite leash manners. Designate an area outside as your puppy’s potty spot, and establish a daily routine right away. You’ll also want to start getting your puppy used to grooming routines right away — like brushing, bathing, tooth brushing and nail trims. The early you train them, the better adult dogs they will be.
5. Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian
It’s very important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within the first week of bringing them home. You’ll need to get a routine checkup and discuss your puppy’s vaccination schedule, spaying or neutering and proper nutrition. You can also ask for suggestions on when to begin socializing your puppy.
6. Get the Essentials
Follow this handy check list of the food and supplies that you’ll want to have on hand when you bring home your new puppy:
- Puppy or dog food (dry, moist or canned)
- Food and water dishes
- Bed and bedding and/or crates
- Poop scooper and plenty of waste pick-up bags
- Carrier
- Toys to teeth on and/or keep him occupied
- Medications as needed, prescribed by a veterinarian
- Leash and collar
- With a tag that includes identification information, including your pup’s name and your name, address and telephone number
7. Get some of these other handy additional supplies:
- Vitamins and supplements: Always consult a veterinarian first
- Wire slicker brush and wide-tooth comb for longhair dogs
- Bristle brush and fine-tooth metal comb for shorthair dogs
- Dog nail clippers
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
- Puppy shampoo
Flea & tick control - Dog gate or partition for blocking doorways
- House training aids
Preparing for your puppy’s first few weeks in his new home will make his transition a happy one. Be sure to stop by the local pet store and see if they have any coupon books for new pet owners. Pet stores like PetCo and PetSmart have new puppy kits that are loaded with coupons to help ease you into being a dog family.
