Tips for Preparing to Bring a Puppy Home

House and Garden - Things to Do and Buy Before Collecting Your Pup

Jul 24, 2009 Heidi Brand

Leaving familiar surroundings behind is a traumatic time for a puppy but careful planning and preparation of the home and garden can ease the transition for all.

Bringing a puppy home is very exciting but it's a very stressful time for the pup who will be leaving its mother and litter mates. Anyone about to welcome a new arrival into his home will no doubt be keen to ensure everything is safe for the adventurous newcomer and that some basic supplies have been purchased and prepared.

It's not necessary to spend a fortune on essentials for the pup, but the purchase of some key elements is advisable. The more time that's put into preparation the easier it will be for the pup to adapt to its new home.

Suitable Dog Beds for Puppies

Puppies need a lot of sleep and it is not uncommon for them to require naps throughout the day. They need a quiet, secure and comfortable place of their own where they can sleep undisturbed. In the first few weeks a cardboard box with a U-shape cut out of the front so that the pup can get in and out easily will make an ideal bed.

Alternatively, folding puppy crates are widely available from pet shops or online pet product sites and provide a secure and comfortable area for the puppy to rest. It is important to remember to buy with the dog's adult size in mind; most good outlets will include measurements relating to breeds of dog to help purchasers choose the correct size.

A puppy crate lined with newspapers, a blanket and toys will give the puppy a place of its own and should be placed in a suitable position so that the pup can use it whenever it needs to play, rest or sleep undisturbed.

Basic Supplies for a New Puppy

It's an idea to buy a few essentials to begin with, then wait a few weeks to see what else it requires.

Food Bowls- stainless steel bowls are practical and easy to clean. A heavier porcelain bowl is useful for the puppies water.
Collar and Lead - In some countries it is a legal requirement to chip or tattoo dogs. Even so it is worth attaching a name and address tag to the collar.
Food - An all in one or meat, is the owner's choice. Some breeders will recommend a particular food or brand and it's an idea to use the food the puppy is used to, as this will mean fewer changes for its digestive system.
Dog Toys and Chews- A selection of toys and chewable dog products will enable the puppy to play and chew without getting into trouble. A puppy chewing on their own toy is preferable to them gnawing away on the table legs or other pieces of furniture.
Grooming Tools- Brush, nail clippers, dog teeth cleaning kit. Many kits include a soft finger tip brush that can be used on the puppies milk teeth. This gets the dog used to the act of teeth cleaning as the puppy grows to adulthood.

Preparing the Home for a New Puppy

Ensure there are no trailing electrical wires. There is nothing a puppy likes more than chewing on electrical wires, unaware of the dangers.
Don't leave small plastic toys on the floor or small rubber balls lying around if there are small children in the house. The puppy could swallow them, causing an obstruction in its stomach.
Ensure rubbish is placed securely in a dustbin or solid flip top bin. Sharp puppy teeth will tear open a rubbish bag in seconds.
Ensure bottles of bleach, household cleaners and other chemicals are securely stored in a cupboard or on high shelves well above the puppies height.

Preparing the Garden and Outside Space for a Puppy

Check the garden for toxic plants, flowers and/or berries and remove them.
Ensure all gates have strong hinges, bolts and locks.
Ensure all fencing is strong and secure, with no holes.
If possible it's a good idea to provide a paved area for the puppy's toilet with an outside tap or access to a hosepipe for easy cleaning.
Securely cover ponds and swimming pools. Ensure the puppy can't wriggle underneath the cover.
Close the door when using the garden shed and lock it when it's not in use. Lawn mower blades can injure adventurous puppies and slug pellets will poison them.
Keep the puppy out of the garage - puddles of oil and antifreeze are poisonous to puppies.
Protect and prevent the puppy from jumping down steps or from walls. This activity in early life can jolt the shoulders and cause injury to a puppies bone structure, particularly a breed such as Basset Hounds which can be prone to back or leg problems in later life.

These are by no means exhaustable lists of precautions and preparations and there is no replacement for common sense but hopefully the information is useful to anyone about to collect a new puppy.

The copyright of the article Tips for Preparing to Bring a Puppy Home in Dogs is owned by Heidi Brand. Permission to republish Tips for Preparing to Bring a Puppy Home in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Basset Puppies Asleep in Puppy Crate