How to prepare for your new puppy

Disclaimer: Collaborative post

Image Credit: Pixabay

Getting a new pet is hugely exciting, but also a big responsibility, so it’s essential to ensure that you feel fully prepared for the arrival of your newest family member. If your new puppy is coming home with you sometime soon, ensuring that you have everything you need ready for their arrival will help to make the adjustment much smoother and much less stressful for everyone concerned.

Here are some bits and pieces to add to your shopping list when preparing for your puppy’s arrival:

Collar and Lead

Although your puppy may not be ready to be out and about until they have had their immunizations, it’s a good idea to get them a collar and lead in preparation for when they are able to get outside and enjoy walkies. There are plenty of styles out there, so whether you want a leather dog collar or a fabric one, you’re sure to find one that is both practical and comfortable for your puppy.

Bowls

Your new puppy will need two bowls, one for food and one for water. There is a vast choice of bowls out there in all manner of colors and designs. Ceramic bowls offer a sturdy option and are less likely to be accidentally knocked over by your hungry pup during an enthusiastic feeding session, but plastic and metals bowls are also available.

In time you may want to place your dog’s bowls on a mat to help prevent the bowls slipping while they eat and also to offer some protection against spills to your floor. Beware though that a young puppy may chew on the mat.

Basket

To begin with, your puppy may prefer sleeping in their puppy crate at night, as they may feel more secure in there. If your puppy does like sleeping in their crate, make sure that they have enough space to move around freely.

Your puppy’s basket will be a special place all of their own to sleep and relax, so they will love having a comfy dog bed! When choosing a dog bed or basket, be sure to pick one that your dog can comfortably lay down in. Some dog beds are machine washable, which is very handy, especially in the toilet training stage. If you do wash your dog’s bed, it is essential to inspect it afterward to ensure that it hasn’t been damaged in any way. Check the dog bed to make sure that no tears are present and that there is no stuffing leaking out that could be of potential harm to your puppy.

Toys

Just like children, puppies love to play. Buying a selection of puppy-friendly toys for your dog to play with is not only great for keeping them stimulated, but also offers opportunities for lots of fun together. Don’t forget that as well as playing, puppies love chewing. Buying suitable chew toys can help prevent your puppy from nibbling on your shoes, trouser legs and any other objects around the house that they find.