What to Expect When You Bring Home a Puppy

Choose the pup that’s right for you

First, if you are still planning to get or adopt a new pup, choose wisely. Choose the pup that will suit your space, lifestyle, level of physical activity, your schedule, your hobbies, etc. If you are mostly a couch potato in your free time, you might be in for a shock with a Pitbull and their exercise requirements. If you are living in a small apartment, a Saint Bernard pup wouldn’t be a good idea.

You should also consider the people you’re living with. Do you live with young kids? Do you live with older people? Always make sure to get a pup that will suit you best.

Puppy proof your house

We know you’re wondering what to expect when you bring home a puppy. Puppies are very curious and will try to get into everything – expect a total disaster if you’re not prepared. Here are a few ways on how you can puppy proof your house:

• All loose items on the floor must be kept out of reach. Items left lying on the floor like slippers, children’s toys, towels, and more must be picked up and kept out of your new pup’s reach. Your pup will try to chew on these items and might cause choking hazards.
• Fragile household items must be secured. If you have breakable items at home as decorations like vases, ceramic pots, etc., make sure to secure them before bringing your pup home to avoid any breakage.
• Wrap all electrical cords and furniture legs. To keep your pup, furniture, and appliances safe, wrap electrical cords, and furniture legs with plastic sheeting or with a thick cloth.
• Keep potted plants away. Keep your potted plants in an area where your pup won’t have access to. Aside from your pup finding the need to bring the pots down (and might break them), some plants are toxic and deadly for dogs.
• Carefully store hazardous items away. Check your house for any dangerous items for your pup, like household cleaners, chemicals, medications, as well as human foods like grapes and chocolate. Store them away and make sure your pup won’t be able to access these items.
• Get a playpen. If you are not able to watch and follow your pup every second of the day, you can place a playpen in an area in your house to make sure they don't do something mischievous and naughty while you’re not watching them.

Things you’ll need

According to The Humane Society of the United States, the key to helping your new dog make a successful adjustment to your home is being prepared and being patient. So before taking your new pup home, you’ll need to have these pet supplies on hand to make your pet parenthood journey a whole lot easier!

Food

• You’ll have to decide first what food you’ll be giving your pup. Will you go for home-made diets or opt for commercially available ones? You’ll want to be able to provide them with all the nutrients they need while growing up. For dog nutrition tips, read more here.

Dog pee pads, dog diapers, and belly bands

What to expect when you bring home a puppy? Your new pup probably is not house-trained yet and puppies tend to create a lot of accidents as they still do not have full control of their bladder. It can be exhausting cleaning after your pup’s pee and poop, which is why you’ll need puppy pads, dog diapers, and belly bands from Pet Parents®. These items will help you to keep your house accident-free. They are made from a proprietary fabric blend that is good in wicking, absorbing, and holding more liquid compared to those that are being hyped up in the market. With these Pet Parents® items, you are guaranteed that everything stays inside to prevent your pup from tracking pee and poop all over your house.

A crate or a playpen

This will be very helpful as a confinement area for your pup on times where you’re not able to keep watch of them. The crate or playpen can also serve as a good confinement area for dog potty training. Read more here. Also, the American Kennel Club states that puppies sleep between 15-to-20 hours a day, and although they’re often likely just to drop in their tracks, bring them to their crate when they seem to be ready for a nap and at bedtime.

A collar and a leash

These items come in handy as you will be taking your dog for walks and training them to go potty.

Bones and chews

What else should you expect when you bring home a puppy? Endless chewing. Chews are a must for puppies, as they are teething and would love something to chew and gnaw on all day. Safe and premium chews like Gnawtlers® are a great option for your furbaby. These are antlers for dogs that are all-natural as they don’t contain any added artificial dyes or fragrances! Even after your pup gnaws all day, there’ll be no mess of coloring stains to clean up after. These chews are also jam-packed with zinc, manganese, calcium, and phosphorus. Truly a nutritious treat for your new pup!

What to expect when you bring home a puppy can differ but we are definitely sure that your pup can’t wait to meet you, too! The things mentioned in this article are here to help you welcome your pup in a happy and prepared home.