Getting a New Puppy
Supplies, Vaccinations, Pet Proofing, Feeding, and Training
From shots, worming, and grooming to choosing a puppy food, learn what it takes to keep your dog safe, healthy and happy.
You’ve been smitten by puppy love! The bond grows quickly and now you’re bringing home that little ball of fluff with puppy breath. Bringing home a new puppy isn't all snuggles and kisses. It means responsibility and committment. A good start will insure that you’re happy together for many years.
Supplies
- Food bowl and water bowl that doesn’t tip over easily
- Crate with washable bedding
- Piddle pads or newspapers
- Chew toys - Kongs, rope toys and even carrots are good choices (avoid toys with small parts your pup can choke on)
- Adjustable collar, 6 foot leash – Check the collar for tightness each week as puppies grow quickly.
- Puppy shampoo
- Brush
- Puppy food – A premium food formulated for your puppy’s age and breed size will help him thrive.
- A baby gate may also come in handy when he’s confined to one room for house training purposes.
Puppy Proofing Your Home
Puppies are curious about the world they live in. They can get into trouble you’d never dream they could find. It’s your responsibility to keep them and your belongings safe. These items should be out of reach of your puppy.
- Clothes
- Magazines
- Remotes
- Kids’ toys
- Antifreeze
- Pesticides
- Cleaning agents
- Medications
- Chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, mushrooms, bones
- Pins, needles, thread, nails
- Rope, fishing line and tackle
- Trash cans
- Houseplants (some are toxic for pets)
- Burning candles
- Electrical cords
Secure bookshelves, lamps and anything else that can be knocked over. Check your fencing to make sure your puppy cannot jump over, climb over, squeeze through, claw through, chew through, dig under or get hung up in it. Never tie him where he can climb over a fence and hang himself. Never allow your puppy near the swimming pool unsupervised. Never transport your puppy loose or tied in the back of a pickup. It’s too easy for him to be thrown out.
Health
- Immunizations - Puppies have little natural immunity so diseases can be deadly for them. All puppies aged 6 weeks and up need a series of combination puppy shots including a parvovirus and a rabies vaccination.
- Worming – Puppies should be on a regular worming program against hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. By the age of 4 months, they should be on heartworm preventative.
- Flea and tick preventative – These parasites carry diseases and can even cause anemia. Use a preventative that is safe for puppies.
- Grooming – Your puppy should get accustomed to having his teeth brushed, ears examined, nails trimmed and coat brushed at an early age.
- Feeding – Young puppies should be fed two or three times a day. If you want to change your puppy’s food, gradually blend the new food with the old over a period of about a week. Abrupt changes can upset their digestion.
Settling In
At first, your puppy may miss his mother, littermates, or previous home. Remember he’s in a strange place and no one speaks his language. Give him attention but respect his need to explore and to rest. Allow him to sleep as near you as possible. Stuffed toys and a radio playing softly may soothe his loneliness.
Socialization is important toward shaping a happy and well-behaved pet. Include him in your life. Give him a few days to settle in and then expose him to happy people, places, and things. Plan to begin puppy obedience classes when he’s several months old.
Your dog depends on you for his every need but in return, he will furnish you with an endless supply of love and devotion.
