Ok, you’ve done your homework and you have picked the perfect puppy for you and your family. He fits your lifestyle and will fit into your family perfectly. That’s Great!!! So what’s next?

Before your puppy comes home, you will need to make sure that you have all of the things you will need. Providing everything your dog needs and giving it proper care will insure that he will live a healthy and happy life.

Because you’ve done all of your homework, you probably have everything you will need to raise your new puppy. But if you are like me, you may also need to pick up a few last-minute items that are on your list.

Here is a list of the Essential Items you will need to have on hand when your puppy comes home.

A Sturdy Collar with a leash ring
A 3-6 foot Walking Leash with a strong clasp
High Quality Dog Food
Food and Water Dishes
Plenty of Indestructible Chew Toys
A Training Mat or Rug
Dog Bedding
A Dog Crate
Grooming Tools suited to your dog’s breed
Grooming Supplies (Shampoo etc)
Towels
A Name Tag or ID Chip
Cleaning Supplies

Ok, now that you have everything on hand, lets make sure your house and yard are safe for your new puppy.

Inside to House:
Pick up shoes and any other items you may have always left lying around on the floor. Also remove all small items from the floor and from the puppy’s level so the items can’t be taken or chewed on. Also make sure you cover or protect television and computer cables, power cords, electrical sockets and power strips so the puppy can’t chew on them. Lastly, make sure that you don’t have anything hanging off of tables, chairs, counters or door handles. These things can look like toys to a puppy.

Outside in the Yard:
Make sure you pick up garden hoses, tools, debris, and any toys that might be lying around. Remove anything your puppy can fall on or put in his mouth, and put it somewhere safe and out of the way. If you have a pool or pond, or any other hazardous areas, make sure to block all access to these areas. Also fence or block off any area that you don't want your puppy to be in. Make sure he can't squeeze through anywhere.

Make sure that all chemicals, pesticides and other potentially poisonous items are well out of reach. This includes lawn fertilizers, insecticides, and paint products. It also includes all automotive chemicals, fuel, oil and anti-freeze. Less than one ounce of these items can kill a puppy in a very short time.

If you have a fenced in yard, check the fence line for escape routes. Although you will never leave your puppy alone in the yard, make sure that there is nowhere for your puppy to squeeze through or under. Check for gaps around gates and posts to make sure your puppy can't get his head stuck in them.

OK, NOW we can bring the puppy home!!!


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Hehehe I think this thread should be called "Puppy Proofing Your Home"! We definitely can't forget to do that!

Only thing I would also suggest are:

-First Aid kid

-A good lump of cash set aside specifically for your puppy in case it gets sick, etc.

-A camera! Puppyhood is all too short and you need many many pictures.lol. But actually pictures are good to have handy if your puppy or new dog gets losts and you need fliers.

Other than that, +2!

Steven_L wrote:

Hehehe I think this thread should be called "Puppy Proofing Your Home"! We definitely can't forget to do that!

Only thing I would also suggest are:

-First Aid kid

-A good lump of cash set aside specifically for your puppy in case it gets sick, etc.

-A camera! Puppyhood is all too short and you need many many pictures.lol. But actually pictures are good to have handy if your puppy or new dog gets losts and you need fliers.

Other than that, +2!

I just assumed that ppl would already have a First Aid kit and enough cash on hand ... But the camera would be an excellent addition!!! :afro:

Betterdog4u wrote:

Steven_L wrote:

Hehehe I think this thread should be called "Puppy Proofing Your Home"! We definitely can't forget to do that!

Only thing I would also suggest are:

-First Aid kid

-A good lump of cash set aside specifically for your puppy in case it gets sick, etc.

-A camera! Puppyhood is all too short and you need many many pictures.lol. But actually pictures are good to have handy if your puppy or new dog gets losts and you need fliers.

Other than that, +2!

I just assumed that ppl would already have a First Aid kit and enough cash on hand ... But the camera would be an excellent addition!!! :afro:

Heh, ya I guess it would be common sense to have that kind of stuff but we can never be too careful, I'm hoping to add of list of things that one can put together for a dog first aid kit. Puppies are all too energetic and can get easily hurt.

cameras are great when you have a puppy! sooo many cute pictures to be taken! great advice guys!

Quote :

Heh, ya I guess it would be common sense to have that kind of stuff but we can never be too careful, I'm hoping to add of list of things that one can put together for a dog first aid kit. Puppies are all too energetic and can get easily hurt.

You can actually get "doggie first aid" kit from your local red cross. They may not have them on hand, but they can get them fot you pretty fast.

Betterdog4u wrote:

Quote :

Heh, ya I guess it would be common sense to have that kind of stuff but we can never be too careful, I'm hoping to add of list of things that one can put together for a dog first aid kit. Puppies are all too energetic and can get easily hurt.

You can actually get "doggie first aid" kit from your local red cross. They may not have them on hand, but they can get them fot you pretty fast.

Do you think it might be cheaper than getting everything individually? Probably, huh?

Steven, there are only a few differences between the human and dog kits. I dont remember all of them, but one of the main items in a long broad cloth that you can use for a muzzle.