How To Prepare For A Puppy

Will you soon be welcoming a puppy into your home? If so, you’re likely to be very excited right now. Puppies are cute bundles of fun and energy and you can usually rely on them to provide you with plenty of cuddles. However, puppies can present a number of challenges, ranging from chewing inappropriate items like cables and clothes to going to the toilet in places they shouldn’t. Read on to find out how to prepare for a puppy. 

5 Ways To Get Ready For A New Puppy

Bringing a new puppy home without any sort of preparation is a recipe for disaster. Their arrival in your home can be somewhat of a whirlwind and you may wish you had planned for the event more carefully. Some of the ways you can prepare for a puppy can be found below. 

Puppy-proof Your Home 

Your home might look safe to you, however, that might not be the case if you look at it through the eyes of an excitable, inquisitive puppy. Your house is likely to be full of potential hazards that could cause them injury or death, ranging from loose cables and poisonous house plants to open windows and doors. Puppy proofing your home should include: 

• Unplugging electrical cables or moving them out of reach of your puppy. Puppies may chew threw this wiring, potentially causing them electrical shocks. 
• Placing cleaning products in high cupboards away from your puppy. Cleaning products can cause burns on their skin or throat or stomach as well as other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. 
• Keeping medication safely locked away. Pill bottles and dispensers should be kept in an area that’s high off the ground. A cabinet that closes with a magnet or lock is ideal.                                                                                                  
• Closing toilet lids. Puppies may drink water from your toilet bowl, and if they do, they could become extremely ill.
• Shutting doors and windows. If they’re left open, your puppy could escape or fall out and seriously injure themselves. 
• Remove poisonous plants. Many plants can be poisonous to dogs, which means if they’re consumed, they could cause them serious harm. Whilst stomach upset is one possibility, it could prove fatal in some cases. 
• Secure all rubbish bins. Puppies can be attracted to the scents that come from rubbish bins, which means you’ll need to keep them closed and secure if you want to avoid them eating trash and becoming ill as a result. 

Shop For Puppy Essentials 

There’s a lot to buy when you get a puppy. Whilst some are essential items such as food and water bowls and a lead and collar, others are optional. Your new fur baby may not need that super cute Star Wars jumper or jacket, for example! We recommend investing in the below items for your new puppy:

• Food and water bowls
• Lead and collar
• Bed 
• Crate (great for training)
• Grooming tools such as a brush and comb
• Lots of toys
• Poo bags
• Puppy pads
• Car restraint 

You’ll feel a lot more prepared if you buy all these essential items in advance of your puppy’s arrival in your home. It will also help to ensure the transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible for all involved. Pet supplies can be purchased easily from a range of online and brick-and-mortar stores at prices to suit all budgets. 

Find A Reputable Vet Near You 

Registering your puppy with a local vet is essential. Ideally, you should take them there a few days after you bring them home. Even though your breeder might have already taken them, it’s always a good idea for your vet to check any health issues themselves.

Keep in mind that as well as requiring a full course of vaccinations, your puppy will also need to be microchipped. Legally, all dogs need to be microchipped once they’re over eight weeks old. Having a decent vet on hand can provide you with peace of mind that your pup will receive the care they need quickly if they do fall ill. 

Insure Your Puppy

When getting a puppy, don’t forget to buy insurance. This can minimise the cost of veterinary expenses if your pet does fall in at any point. It’s your responsibility to pay for this and you could be left significantly out of pocket if you’re not adequately covered.

Whether it’s a routine check-up or your pup needs a major operation, pet insurance can help you to pay for the treatment you need. There are many different types and levels of pet cover available, catering to various needs and budgets.  Before you buy a pet insurance policy, we strongly recommend checking if your vets will accept the payment from your chosen insurer. 

Find Local Kennels For Dog Boarding

Since there may be times when you have to go away and you won’t be able to take your pup with you, it makes sense to be prepared by seeking out a reputable local dog boarding facility. This way, you can relax in the knowledge that they will receive all the love and care they need even when you can’t be with them.

Take your time when choosing kennels for your puppy. Not all kennels offer the same high level of service, and some are better than others at catering to very young dogs. We recommend booking a tour if possible so that you can see first-hand where your puppy would be staying. 

Now you know how to prepare for a puppy, you may be keen to find kennels for dog boarding in Sheffield. If so, look no further than Jaycliffe Pets.