Bringing Home a New Puppy: What you need to know

You've done your homework and figured out which breed, even if it’s a mixed breed, what puppy will be right for you and your lifestyle. Before you bring your new puppy home however, you'll want to make sure you have some things in place before you do. For me a puppy is nearly the equivalent of bringing home a new baby, because they are dog babies who need love, attention, care and the security of knowing they are safe. Let's cover a few things you'll want to before the day you pick up your new puppy:

• Purchase all the things you'll need for your puppy – i.e., food, dishes, toys, bed, collar, grooming equipment, and so on.

• Have all your "equipment" in the place. This means put the food dishes in the exact place you will want your puppy to eat, the bed in the room you'll want him/her to sleep, toys where they will go, etc.

• Determine when and who in your household will be feeding, exercising, and training your puppy.

• You'll want to determine your veterinarian in advance also if you don't already have one. Talk with others and ask someone to refer you to their veterinarian as your puppy will most likely need an initial exam.

• If you work fulltime, decide if you'll leave your puppy with a dog sitter, at a doggie daycare, a dog walker in advance so your puppy is not alone all day.

• Determine an amount of cash you'll need in order to care for your puppy properly, according to his or her needs.

On the actual day you do bring your new puppy home, if you have small children, it may be best to wait a day or so to introduce them to the new puppy so the puppy has time to adjust to you and your home. Remember the puppy is away from his mom and littermates for the first time and everything is new and uncertain to him or her. They need a calm, quiet environment for at least a day or two while you get acquainted with each other. You can introduce your own small children to the new puppy AFTER your puppy adjusts and gets acquainted with you.

Teach your puppy his or her boundaries on the very first day, walking them through where they are allowed to go or not go, so they understand what you expect of them. They can't know unless YOU teach them. This is all foreign to them and too many dogs are surrendered to shelters because the owner didn't prepare for the puppy and didn't do their homework about the needs and nature of a dog.

Puppies are cute but remember they grow up into dogs and you must start immediately to teach them what is expected of them to fit into our human society. Housetraining, walking on-lead, and not barking at everything are your responsibility to teach this new furry member of your household. Screaming and shouting at your puppy only confirms to him that you are not in control of the situation. If you don't know what it takes to train a dog, seek professional advice in advance of ever bringing your dog home so you'll know the steps necessary to help your dog be a confident household member.

Dogs do what is their nature to do including digging. By learning all this in advance, being prepared for this new addition to your home, you and your dog will have a much better, happier life together.

Dec 25, 2006 6:03 PM

Rebekah Siarah :

How can I get my dad to allow us to have a puppy? I am having trouble at choosing witch puppy in the litter I want. So do you have any ideas on how I can choose one puppy out of the two pups I want?

Dec 26, 2006 3:57 AM

katabell :

I can't tell you how to convince your dad, as I don't know his reasons for not wanting one.

As far as which to choose, talk to the owners about the sire's temperament. Think about what you want in a puppy. The ones that won't come to you after some coaxing might scare easily and need a gentler handling, while the ones that jump all over you might be a little harder to train. You should also do some research into what the breed characteristics are for these puppies so you know what their needs will be. Some dogs need a lot of activity and a lot of area.

Kat

Feb 4, 2007 7:16 AM

Deke :

Katabell ~ great questions.

As far as getting your dad to allow it: I'm a dad, and my kids just got me to allow it.

Here are my thoughts, and how i came to allow a puppy into the lives of our Family. My kids are young, (11. 9 and 3.5)... they began asking for a puppy about 1 1/2 years ago, so it took a while to wear me down... which really they didn't... what they did do was mature.

They showed me, not with their words and promises that they were ready, but with their actions. They took on responsibility, and pro-actively took a role in making the house ready for a puppy, (by maintaining cleanliness in their rooms, in the yard, and in our playroom)... this was HUGE for them, because they're young. They were not "bratty" in our conversations about the puppy... but allowed me to voice concerns, and listened.

I too listened to their assertions for wanting a puppy... but more importantly watched their actions. They showed me that they deserved a puppy... and their positive actions had positve consequences.

I must add though, that, sometimes, a puppy simply is not possible. Depending on your dad's work hours, your social/scholastic/athletic responsibilities, time may just not be available. Finances are an issue as well... it's not just the purchase of a puppy that cost money... it's the maintanance (vet, food, toys, bowls, cleaning supplies, training, etc etc)... it a big commitment of time and finances.

i don't know what your age is, but if your dad's reluctance is based his thinking that you are not yet ready for this big responsibility, then, show him that you are... don't just tell him.

Take on responsibility around the house, and if need be: maybe become a dog walker/care taker, for pets of older folks or really busy folks in your neighborhood. This will not only show your dad you're ready, but will add nicely to the bank account ; )

Good luck K!