Congratulations on bringing home your newest family member! Adding a brand-new puppy into the mix can be a little intimidating, but there are a few things that you can do to help transition your puppy to her new environment. This new puppy guide takes the guesswork out of what you'll need to make sure that your puppy will be able to quickly make herself feel at home. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare for your new puppy’s arrival.
Cozy sleeping quarters
It's important to give plenty of thought to where your new playmate will sleep and play. If she's just leaving her littermates, a snug, warm bed, like this Donut Cuddler is the perfect place to send her to rest. The faux fur looks great in even the most stylish spaces and can remind your pup of her mother's fur coat. It's possible that the faux fur may calm and comfort your new pet, allowing her to get more deep sleep, which can improve behavior. Other features, like easy zippered covers, and water and dirt-resistant bottoms, ensure that it’s easy to clean up after any puppy accidents.
Many new pup parents decide to crate-train their new pets to house-train them quickly. If you choose to go that route, cozy, easy to clean crate liners like this Self-Warming Pet Pad should do the trick. Buy a crate and liner that will accommodate your dog’s full-grown size, and use dividers to shrink it to an appropriate size.
Set up your pet's space in an area where they can learn house manners. Ideally, you'll want to let them sleep and play where they can be watched. This can help keep them from new puppy behaviors like chewing on shoes or furniture and peeing inside the house.
Feeding Station
Puppies grow quickly, and they must start off on the right foot with nutritious food. Unlike adult dogs, puppies need to eat at least three times a day until they're full.
Buy the highest-quality food that you can afford and set up your puppy’s food and water bowl in a place that’s easy for you to clean and them to access. These Canvas Shape pet bowls sport designer details that will work with a variety of décors. They're made from easy-to-clean ceramic and dishwasher safe.
Don’t forget this Inscript treat jar to keep all of your puppy training treats fresh or placemats to make cleanup a breeze.
Leash and Collar
New puppies are always ready for a walk, especially if you’ve chosen to get an active breed. Start off a lifetime of walking adventures on the right foot with your choice of fashionable dog collars and leashes. Measure your dog's neck to confirm the correct size. Since they grow quickly, look for adjustable collars and plan to graduate to larger collars as your pup gets bigger. Avid walkers may prefer harnesses instead of collars.
It’s best to encourage a routine for your new puppy to make training and settling into a new location easier on you both. Instilling good habits, like heeling and proper commands, will set you up for a fulfilling partnership and thousands of enjoyable walks in the future.
Toys
Puppies may sleep a lot, but they also love to play. It’s essential to see that your dog is mentally stimulated during these formative moments. When they’re young, puppies are incredibly intelligent and curious. Look to acquire a variety of toys with different textures, shapes, and sounds to keep your dog entertained so that all of this energy is put to constructive use.
Chew Toys
Chew toys are essential for young pups since they begin chewing as soon as they’ve been weaned. Chew toys like these Puppy KONG toys are crucial. They offer a soft natural rubber surface for teethers to learn appropriate chewing behaviors and an unpredictable bounce that encourages play. You can also stuff the KONG with treats like cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, and puppy kibble to keep her occupied. For an extended play session, stuff and freeze the KONG so that your puppy has to work to get to the treats inside.
Learning and encouraging proper chewing behavior early on will prevent your pet from damaging behaviors later on. These chew toys can teach a pup to self-soothe and help them get a great start.
Comfort Toys
Softer, plush toys like this Cozie Marvin Moose are great for puppies to cuddle with, especially for the first few days away from their mom and siblings. These toys should be soft and cozy, perfect for sleeping next to at night. The KONG plush toys are perfect for this purpose since they are made with an extra layer of material that will stand up to teething puppies, too.
Fetch and Rope Toys
Figure out what your dog likes to do. Retrievers love to fetch, and as puppies, they have plenty of energy to burn. To keep them from channeling that into damaging activities, keep them occupied with different types of toys at playtime. This Chuck-It ball launcher releases a tennis ball as you swing, propelling it further to tire out your pup at the dog park. Rope toys are great for playing tug-of-war and come in many cute and colorful shapes and sizes.
Conclusion
Bringing home a new puppy is a big responsibility. Taking the time to think about your new puppy's needs and prepare for their arrival will help you throughout your dog's lifetime. As you integrate her into your new space, be mindful of how these new habits will affect you both throughout your relationship.
Above all, prepare to be patient with your new puppy as she gets used to her space. Thinking about how she will eat, sleep and play are all important, and these suggestions are a great place to get started.
It's easy to get flustered and upset when puppies engage in typical puppy behavior. Accidents happen. Just be vigilant and enforce a schedule and structure that will support you both as you begin your new life together.
