October 4, 2015
Are you getting a new puppy? Are you excited?? Caring for a puppy can be a lot of work, but with just the right tools and materials, you'll be alright! Before you splurge or go on a shopping spree for cute doggy outfits or fancy collars with rhinestones, let's start with the basics to help your dog feel at home in its new home!
1. FOOD
Your baby's gotta eat something in order to live. Depending on the breed and age, make sure to find the best nom noms for your pup to eat. Puppies would prefer soft foods while big dogs would like something to munch on. Make sure it has the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fat to keep it healthy and happy!
It will be hard to find the "perfect" food for your dog, but it would never hurt to try new things! Talk to a vet or a fellow dog owner about what type of food to buy if you want suggestions. It's better to safe rather than be sorry.
2. Bowls
Food was important, now, where are you going to put the food? If you are getting a pug, a boxer, or any dog with a squished up snout, it's good to have bowls that are not too deep. Dogs with long snouts on the other hand, would feel more comfortable with deeper ones.
Even though the plastic water and food bowls are the cheapest ones in a nearby store, they can contain unwanted bacteria and easily wear off or break.
Stainless steel or ceramic are good choices! Make sure to wash them at least once a week so your babe can be healthy and not consume any harmful bacteria. They're also harder to be pushed around by clumsy puppies so you wouldn't have any accidents with food or water.
3. Treats
Treats are needed to be used for awards. When disciplining your dog, you need to show them whether what they did was good or what they did was bad. You can choose to make DIY (do it yourself) treats or buy them from a pet store.
Who doesn't enjoy watching their pet enjoy a good snack?
4. Collar and Leash
A new dog is going to have tons of energy and curiosity. In order to fulfill their needs, a walk or jog will help! Going outside with an untrained animal will definitely be hard without a collar or harness with a leash. It will help the happy little pup to stay by your side and even to be safe!
The collar can be made out of nylon that is adjustable along with a buckle. If you can slip two fingers between the collar and the puppy's neck, then you're all set! The collar should have a place for a dog tag as an identification and an emergency contact in case the little thing gets lost.
As the dog gets bigger or older, change the collar and leash accordingly.
5. Bed
Make sure your new puppy has a place to sleep. A snug box with a nice blanket will work just fine but make sure it is breathable and the puppy is comfortable in it. This will be the dog's happy place where it can rest and take a nap so it is best to keep the place as a "personal space" for them.
You can also choose from the wide variety of plush beds to small mattresses. Pick one according to your own taste and enjoy watching your baby sleep in it!
6. Time-Out Space
I usually like to have a certain time-out space or a place where the dog can "reflect" on his or her wrong doings. When the puppy goes to this certain place, she will know that what she did was wrong and that she should fix it.
It can be a certain corner of the house, it can be outside, it can be in her crate or cage, or it can even be her own chair! Just make sure she has a place to go when she gets in trouble in order for her to be disciplined.
7. Grooming Supplies
Whether the dog is a long-haired breed or a short-haired breed, you need a comb or brush! For long-furred dogs, it is necessary to untangle knots in their fur because it can get easily tangled from running around. For short-furred breeds, it's good to have a brush that lessens a dog's shedding by combing out the stray strands of fur.
You will also need:
◇Nail clippers
◇Tooth brush
◇Hair dryer
◇Doggy towel
◇Scissors
◇Shampoo and/or conditioner (ask a vet or fellow pet-owner for suggestions)
◇Medication for when the dog gets sick
◇Wet wipes (for paws or wrinkles for certain breeds)
A handsome looking dog, is a happy dog.
8. Toys
Now for the fun part! Make sure your little one has tons to play with!
There should be one for teething. A bone or a chewable rubber bone will help relieve the gums of a puppy. This will keep it from chewing on furniture, shoes, and its own bed!
Rope toys, fetch toys (frisbee or ball), treat toys (where it contains a treat if the dog turns it at a certain angle), or a cute little stuffed animal.
Make sure to keep an eye on your puppy whenever he or she is chewing on something because it will chew off little pieces of material and get caught in their throats so ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS.
Recycling is always good for the planet, and your dog would enjoy it too! A plastic bottle to chase around are a big favorite to dogs all around. Cardboard boxes where pups can play hide-and-seek and maybe even rip up will help the dog feel good. Old socks or balls of cloth will be fun to play tug-of-war with.
I usually have a box or a basket to keep all the puppy's toys in.
9. Potty
Whether it is going to be your backyard, front yard, or diaper pads, you need to have a place where the dog can go pee pee and poo poo. Make sure it is a sanitary place and it does not get in the way of where you step.
When you first train pups, it's usually easier to start with diaper pads. As it grows, you can train it to use a doggy door or to ring a bell when it needs to go "do the deed."
10. Optional
The following items are optional and are not 100% necessary:
Gates or fences to keep the puppy from entering certain rooms or falling down the stairs.
Vitamins and supplements to keep the dog healthy!
A bell to know where your dog is around the house.
Cute little outfits such as a raincoat, boots, or tutus.
If you're a traveler, you should have a small crate or traveling bag to keep your dog with you!
Travel harnesses can keep your dog safe in the car. It's like their very own seatbelt!
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