Five Tips to Get Ready to Bring a Puppy

There’s so much to love about a fluffy new little puppy! It can be so exciting to think about bringing home a new family member that you may forget about how much work they really are! It is totally worth it, but it does take some prep work on your part. Don’t stress about it. This list has you covered.

So, what do you need to do to get ready for your new puppy?

Puppy-proof your home. You are going to need to puppy-proof your home before you even think about bringing home a puppy. They will get into anything that you leave lying around, including your socks and the paper. So, make sure that you take a good look around and pick up any clutter that may be lying around. You may also want to buy baby gates in order to keep your puppy in areas that are safe when you are busy and can’t watch them.

Picking the right puppy. Though all puppies are cute, you need to take a serious look at your lifestyle. Are you outdoors a lot and looking for a dog to go hiking with? Would you prefer a smaller dog that would be happier inside, no matter what the weather is? If you aren’t active, you shouldn’t get a working dog that needs a job. They will get bored inside and may do damage to your home.

Find the right veterinarian. If you have already had a dog (or other pet), you may be in luck. Your veterinarian may still be able to help you with your new puppy. If not, you are going to want to call around and find one that is taking new patients. You don’t want to wait until you have a medical emergency to realize that you don’t know where you can take your new puppy!

Buying the right supplies. Though you may think that your dog needs everything, the truth is that you only need a few things when you get a puppy. You are going to need a solid collar or harness and a good leash. You will want to buy a good set of bowls and the best food you can. That being said, just because it is expensive doesn’t mean that it is good. Your veterinarian may recommend Purina ProPlan or Science Diet. These foods have been around for years and have been very reliable. You should also buy a crate so that your dog has somewhere safe to be when you are gone. A few toys will also enrich your new puppy’s life.

Be ready for whatever may come! Though you may think that you know what is going to happen when you bring a puppy home, you should be ready for anything. You are going to have accidents in the house, so make sure that you have a good carpet cleaner available. Your dog may chew some furniture and other things, so it is always a good idea to have some good chew toys to change their mind. You may also want to consider getting pet insurance to help with any unexpected medical expenses.

Before you even think about getting a puppy, you are going to want to puppy-proof your home. Take a good look around and make sure that everything is cleaned up. You can’t leave anything lying around because it could go right into your puppy’s mouth! Baby gates can also help you keep your puppy in a safe space. You also need to choose the right puppy. If you aren’t happy outside, you aren’t going to want a dog that needs to be outside playing all day! A smaller dog may do better for your lifestyle.

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Previously published on Medium and/or Newsbreak.