The New Puppy Checklist!
Here's a checklist of puppy supplies to have on hand on the exciting day when your new pup comes home:
____ Puppy food: If you get no other puppy supplies beforehand, be sure you have some food! Ideally, get yourself a bag to start with. We use Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Puppy Food. Puppies' stomachs can get upset by a switch, so when you do switch, it's best to do it over several days to a week, gradually using less of the old and more of the new. This is also a good idea for any new dog. (We would highly recommend these brands: BLUE, By Nature, Solid Gold, Nutro, & Authority)
____ Food and water bowls -- stainless steel holds up best.
____ A flat cloth collar that will fit with about 2 inches of room to spare, not enough that the puppy can wiggle out of it.
____ An ID tag to go on the collar. Even if your puppy doesn't have a name yet, it's a good safety measure to get that ID on.
____ A short leash, usually 6 feet.
____ Nature's Miracle or other enzyme cleaner to neutralize any urine that gets onto floors or carpets. The enzymes greatly reduce or eliminate the odor that would draw the pup back to the same place for the same purpose.
____ A crate or some baby gates or other way to create a small area the puppy will be in when you are not able to watch the puppy.
____ Bedding for the crate, something easily washable. You can start out with towels.
____ There are puppy pads that can be used to help with potty-training.
____ A puppy Kong, a Nylabone, and maybe a few other toys. Be sure the toys don't have buttons are other things that could be a hazard if the puppy chews the toy to shreds.
____ If you want to use rawhide bones, only get good quality ones and only let the puppy have them when someone is watching. We once had a very laid-back veterinarian, who wasn't fussy at all about things -- but he didn't recommend rawhide bones, as he had done surgery several times to remove large chunks of rawhide that had swollen up in dogs' stomachs.
____ A hot-water bottle filled with warm water and wrapped in old towels can keep the puppy happier at bedtime, as can a ticking clock. These are time-honored methods for soothing a new puppy... not only puppy supplies!
____ Grooming tools: nail clipper, dog brush and comb, any special tools for the breed you are getting. You may want styptic powder to stem bleeding if you cut too close with the nail clipper. Most puppies will need the hair around their eyes/face trimmed regularly. You can do this at home with a small pair of scissors. For more professional care, we recommend puppies visit the groomer every four months for long coats and twice a year for shorter haired dogs. Your groomer will trim nails, clean ears and teeth and cut/trim/clip hair. How you wear your puppies hair is up to you. All puppies should be brushed at least weekly and should not be bathed more than every two weeks. Spot wash those dirty feet, but try not to dry out your puppies delicate "baby skin" with too many baths. Be sure to use a gentle soap-- a baby body wash or puppy shampoo to protect sensitive eyes and your new baby!
____ One or more ways to clean up the poop that your puppy will producing regularly. If you will be walking your puppy in neighborhoods,you can use a little waist pack and some plastic bags from the grocery store (my habit when I am in a city). Also, for yard use, a long-handled pooper scooper is very useful.
____ Some kind of flea control product approved for puppies if you live in a flea-ridden area and it's flea season. Ask your breeder for advice, if you have a breeder to ask. Your veterinarian should know too.
____ Puppy food: If you get no other puppy supplies beforehand, be sure you have some food! Ideally, get yourself a bag to start with. We use Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Puppy Food. Puppies' stomachs can get upset by a switch, so when you do switch, it's best to do it over several days to a week, gradually using less of the old and more of the new. This is also a good idea for any new dog. (We would highly recommend these brands: BLUE, By Nature, Solid Gold, Nutro, & Authority)
____ Food and water bowls -- stainless steel holds up best.
____ A flat cloth collar that will fit with about 2 inches of room to spare, not enough that the puppy can wiggle out of it.
____ An ID tag to go on the collar. Even if your puppy doesn't have a name yet, it's a good safety measure to get that ID on.
____ A short leash, usually 6 feet.
____ Nature's Miracle or other enzyme cleaner to neutralize any urine that gets onto floors or carpets. The enzymes greatly reduce or eliminate the odor that would draw the pup back to the same place for the same purpose.
____ A crate or some baby gates or other way to create a small area the puppy will be in when you are not able to watch the puppy.
____ Bedding for the crate, something easily washable. You can start out with towels.
____ There are puppy pads that can be used to help with potty-training.
____ A puppy Kong, a Nylabone, and maybe a few other toys. Be sure the toys don't have buttons are other things that could be a hazard if the puppy chews the toy to shreds.
____ If you want to use rawhide bones, only get good quality ones and only let the puppy have them when someone is watching. We once had a very laid-back veterinarian, who wasn't fussy at all about things -- but he didn't recommend rawhide bones, as he had done surgery several times to remove large chunks of rawhide that had swollen up in dogs' stomachs.
____ A hot-water bottle filled with warm water and wrapped in old towels can keep the puppy happier at bedtime, as can a ticking clock. These are time-honored methods for soothing a new puppy... not only puppy supplies!
____ Grooming tools: nail clipper, dog brush and comb, any special tools for the breed you are getting. You may want styptic powder to stem bleeding if you cut too close with the nail clipper. Most puppies will need the hair around their eyes/face trimmed regularly. You can do this at home with a small pair of scissors. For more professional care, we recommend puppies visit the groomer every four months for long coats and twice a year for shorter haired dogs. Your groomer will trim nails, clean ears and teeth and cut/trim/clip hair. How you wear your puppies hair is up to you. All puppies should be brushed at least weekly and should not be bathed more than every two weeks. Spot wash those dirty feet, but try not to dry out your puppies delicate "baby skin" with too many baths. Be sure to use a gentle soap-- a baby body wash or puppy shampoo to protect sensitive eyes and your new baby!
____ One or more ways to clean up the poop that your puppy will producing regularly. If you will be walking your puppy in neighborhoods,you can use a little waist pack and some plastic bags from the grocery store (my habit when I am in a city). Also, for yard use, a long-handled pooper scooper is very useful.
____ Some kind of flea control product approved for puppies if you live in a flea-ridden area and it's flea season. Ask your breeder for advice, if you have a breeder to ask. Your veterinarian should know too.