6 Things To Do Before Your New Puppy Gets Home

Are you excited to welcome a new ball of fluff and responsibility into your home and life?

Just like preparing for a new human baby, you need to be ready to transform your home (and life) to welcome a new puppy and get off to the best start!

Unlike a human baby, puppies are very mobile and learn to walk from a very early age. When they are about 2 weeks old they will already be trying to stand, and by 4 weeks they will be scampering around and exploring their surroundings. By the time your pup is ready to leave their mother and siblings, they should be at least 8 weeks old and will have boundless energy! So, you need to be prepared!

Here are 6 things you need to do to make sure you’re ready for the arrival of your new best friend!

1. Puppy-proof your home

Puppies like to explore and are very inquisitive, but they could easily hurt themselves or get into trouble if your home has not been puppy-proofed. Before you bring your new pup home:

• Make sure you keep all waste bins securely closed or out of sight so your puppy won’t be tempted to rummage and eat something that is not good for them!
• Keep human medication out of reach – these can be very harmful to puppies.
• Make sure sharp or other dangerous items are well out of the way; including wires that may be chewed or small objects that might be swallowed.
• Some everyday items (like hand cream or soaps, for example) can be harmful for your puppy as they can contain ingredients that are poisonous for dogs. Make sure these are out of reach!
• Lastly, give your pup their own space or safe haven, such as a crate, that they know they can retreat to. This can be their own doggie bed or blanket in a set area of a room or a crate which is filled with comfy blankets and puppy toys.

2. Be prepared

Make sure you have all the essentials ready and waiting for your puppy’s arrival. Food and drink bowls are a necessity, but you’ll also need to check that you have food appropriate for your puppy’s age. Puppies have a delicate constitution and if they eat food which is not age appropriate, their tummies might not be able to digest the food properly. It’s also important that when you travel in the car (such as on that first ride home) you have a supply of water available at all times to keep your puppy hydrated.

Having lots of doggy toys and blankets around will help to keep your pup comfortable, reassured and occupied in their new home. Puppies are fast learners, and will quickly learn what is theirs to play with and hopefully avoid playing with other non-dog items. Using a puppy collar and lead around the home will also help your pup get used to them before you venture outside for a walk.

3. Give them your time

It’s not uncommon for people to take time off work when a new puppy arrives. This is a great way to ensure your puppy settles in quickly and bonds with you! Spending quality time together will enable you to give your pup your full attention, comfort them and help them adjust to their new home.

4. Be consistent

All family members should be prepared for your puppy and stick to the same rules and boundaries. It is very easy to get carried away with new puppy love and cuteness, but if everyone has different ways of handling your pup, your puppy will get confused and not learn what is right and what is wrong.

Puppies learn better if there’s a routine, so try to keep to the same schedule for feeding, play times and rest times every day – they will soon learn what to expect and this will help them settle in.

5. Training

Remember, training is not only new to your puppy... You also have to learn, and be trained in how to look after your pup!

Before your dog’s arrival, spend some time learning about dog body language and think about the training techniques that you want to use – such as clicker-training and positive training techniques. Also think about the traits your particular breed of dog may have. For example, some dogs are better with children than others and some may be more energetic and need techniques that adapt to their energy.

Although they can’t speak, dogs do communicate with body language. For example, one way to tell how your puppy is feeling is by their tail. If their tail is hanging down, it’s a sign that they are feeling relaxed. If their tail is horizontal, they are probably just checking things out, but if their tail is down between their legs, they could be feeling fearful. Of course, if it’s wagging, they’re happy to see you!

When you start training your puppy, ensure you have special treats available for them such as chicken or cheese, so you can reward them when they respond positively.

6. Keep your pUPPY healthy and safe

Puppies are by nature boisterous, inquisitive and have boundless energy. However, it’s important to ensure they are registered with a veterinarian to have regular health checks and vaccinations to keep them healthy, or in case you need some urgent advice. You should also ensure your puppy wears an ID tag and is micro-chipped so they can be easily traced.

Using an ADAPTIL Junior Collar can help your puppy settle in quickly as it gives constant ‘comforting messages’ – the same kind they received from their mother – and will provide reassurance while they are adapting to their new home.