Complete New Puppy Checklist

A new puppy brings a lot of love, fun, tail wagging and slobbery kisses, but...

Video: New Puppy Checklist! With Fashion Mumblr | Becca Rose

.... that adorable little bundle of fur is going to need a lot from you if he is to grow up to be a happy, healthy dog.

Preparation is the key, and if you buy the essentials and understand puppy-care basics, those first few weeks will be much easier for everyone!

New Puppy Shopping Checklist

When you`re adding a new pup to your family it`s very tempting to runout and buy up half your local Pet Emporium...

Worth Remembering!

Good veterinary care (including all the preventative and proactive stuff such as vaccinations and parasite control) costs a fair amount of money..... and emergencies cost more. So don`t blow all your $$$`s on `stuff` - make sure there`s enough in the bank to keep Fido healthy too!

Plus, check out this page to find out how to choose the right vet for you... Choosing A Veterinarian

.... I know this is true, because it`s something I tend to do every single time!

BUT pet supplies can be expensive and puppies grow surprisingly fast.

Do make sure you don`t waste money on things that aren`t necessary, or that your baby will outgrow in a matter of weeks.

At the beginning it`s a good idea to stick to the basics, with a couple of extra `goodies` thrown in for fun.

After all, you can add to your collection of stuff whenever you feel like it - and/or your wallet can handle it :)

Here are the checklists you need...

Essential puppy supplies
Optional extra supplies
Puppy care needs

Video: New Puppy Check List

Supplies Checklist - The Essentials

Here are the things that you need to have before you bring your puppy home:

A Dog Crate

Crates are very versatile and are essential for housebreaking as well as containment during the early weeks.

Plastic crates are affordable and easy to clean. Wire crates allow your pup to see what`s around him and some have optional `divider panels` which allow you to increase your pups` available space as he grows.

It`s important to choose the right size and type of crate, and to use it properly. These pages can help with that...

Puppy Pee Pads or A Portable Potty

If you don`t have access to a safe, fenced outdoor area for your puppy to eliminate, you may need to set up an indoor potty spot until he`s fully vaccinated and safe to take onto the sidewalk or to the park to pee/poop.

Puppy pee pee pads are fairly inexpensive and the most popular choice, but they definitely have their drawbacks too.

Portable dog potties (with either real or artificial grass) are a good alternative and have the added of advantage of preparing your pup to use the grass outdoors later on.

See some of the best options here....

Dog Urine Cleaning Products

No matter how careful you are about potty-training, the occasional accidents are a fact of life with puppies.

To remove stains and odors completely I thoroughly recommend enzymatic cleaners such as the Natures` Miracle range.

Nutritious Puppy Food

What you feed your puppy when he`s young has a huge impact on his health, so it`s important to choose a premium food with the right balance of nutrients.

Some of the brands I would recommend include Wellness, AvoDerm, Orijen, Precise and Nutro.

These pages have all the info. you need to make the right choice for your new puppy...

Dog Collar ID Tags

One of the first things you need to do is to put a soft collar on your puppy and firmly attach his ID tags to it.

It`s surprisingly easy for a tiny newcomer to slip out of your yard/arms/front door - and a puppy or dog with no identification will end up in the local pound. If he`s lucky. If he`s not lucky it could be much worse.

Why Dog Collar ID Tags are so important
Cool Dog ID tags

Dog Food Bowls

These don`t need to be fancy at first because your little one will outgrow the small sizes quickly.

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are better than plastic ones because they`re easier to keep properly clean, and can`t get chewed up.

Weighted spill-proof designs or those with a non-slip base prevent extra mess.

Puppy Toys

Puppies love to play, and they really love to chew... so good, sturdy chew toys are a must!

When choosing puppy toys you need to take into account your puppys` size, breed and chewing style.

Dogs like Retrievers, Labradors, Rottweilers, Ptibulls and German Shepherds have very strong jaws and chew vigorously, so extra-tough toys are needed for them.

Decades of experience have taught me which types of toys can go the distance (and which ones can`t) and I highly recommend Kong, Nylabone, West Paw and Orbee-Tuff toys. Also rope toys, canvas toys, natural bones and natural antlers.

Choose bigger rather than smaller whenever possible and don`t skimp here. Well-made durable toys are more expensive than cheaply made ones, but they last much longer and are, more importantly, much safer.

These pages will help you find the right playthings for your pup....

Best Puppy Teething Toys
Choosing Puppy Toys
Indestructible Dog Toys
Rope Toys for Dogs

Training Tools

Training your puppy starts as soon as you bring him home.

Puppies learn quickly, and mastering basic manners and obedience commands is both easy and fun for him if you use positive, rewards-based methods.

Praise is always welcome to a puppy, but a tasty, healthy dog treat is the ultimate reward for a job well done!

These pages will get you both started off on the right foot, and paw...

Grooming Supplies For Puppies

Puppies are curious, love to play, and not very skilled at keeping themselves clean and tidy.

You`ll need some basic dog grooming and bathing products if you want to keep little Fido presentable.

At first, a simple brush, some nail-clippers and a puppy shampoo are enough. As your pup grows you can add more goodies to your grooming arsenal.

Find the supplies and advice you need right here...

Supplies Checklist - Optional Extras

Here are a handful of `extras` that you might want to buy for your new `baby`.

They`re not essential but they can be nice to have... and fun to buy.

Dog Bed or Crate Pad

Personally I wouldn`t advise putting a soft crate pad/bed, or any other type of soft bedding in your puppy`s crate at first.

The reason for this is two-fold.... firstly, your pup will most likely chew it up, and secondly he`ll also be very likely to pee on it!

But if you want to get a bed to put in the living room or bedroom for naps and such, just don`t put it in his crate, and choose a chew-proof design if at all possible.

Dog Clothes and Outfits

Most puppies don`t need anything other than their fur to keep them warm (unless the weather is extremely cold/wet)... and outfits are for their owner`s enjoyment, not theirs!

BUT there`s nothing wrong with getting your little pup a nice coat, sweater, dress or whatever takes your fancy.

Shoes can protect small paws when the weather`s bad, collars can be way more than just practical, and hair accessories or collar `bling` are adorable.

Video: Puppy Checklist

In this area you can buy whatever your taste and/or budget allows :)

Pheromone Products For Anxiety

Puppies are often very stressed and anxious during the first few days in a new home.

They`ve been through a big change and can be homesick, sad and scared.

Pheromone products use natural scents emitted by momma dogs that calm and relax anxious puppies. You can buy collars, room diffusers and sprays.

We use these a lot in our home for new puppies, anxious older dogs, during house-moves, for car trips and so on. They`re usually very effective and totally safe.

Get a closer look at these products here... Dog Pheromone Products

New Puppy Care Checklist

Having a clear idea of what your new pup needs from you, and knowing how to make sure he stays happy and healthy, makes those first few weeks a lot less worrying.

A well-cared for puppy, bred from healthy parents, and who has had his first vaccinations and deworming treatments is off to a flying start.

After that it`s your responsibility to make sure that he gets all the remaining vaccines and parasite treatments he needs.

Plus ensuring he eats a nutritious diet and gets the right training and socialization.

Here`s a handy checklist of the things you NEED to do for your precious new bundle of joy:

Puppy Care Checklist - The Essentials

Puppy care is mostly a blend of common sense, compassion and patience.

But life is easier for everyone when you know what your puppy needs, how to recognize problems, and the best way to keep your pup healthy and happy.

Puppy Shots
Getting the right canine vaccinations, at the right time, is an absolutely non-negotiable part of your puppy care responsibilities.

Parasite Prevention & Treatment
Internal and external parasites like worms, fleas and ticks can make your pup very uncomfortable, they can also make him sick. Preventing & treating infestation is important.

A Healthy Diet
Feeding your bundle of joy properly is much too important an area to leave to chance, check out this page for all the help and advice you need to get it right... All About Puppy Kibble.

Housebreaking
Potty training your puppy is probably the very first (and most critical) job you have as a new owner.

Puppy Proofing Your Home
Puppies are naturally inquisitive, and they operate on the assumption that just about anything is edible until proven otherwise!

Obedience Training
Your little guy, or gal, will grow up quickly and you will need to make sure that he learns how you expect him to behave, and to respect and obey you, as soon as possible. My Training Tips page will get you started off on the right foot - and paw!

Exercise & Sleep
Puppies need room to run and play and enough exercise to keep them healthy, they also need lots of sleep. The old saying `a tired puppy is a good puppy` is very true, but don`t overdo it. Your tiny pup needs lots of naps in order to grow and develop properly.
SocializationThis is something that often seems to `slip through the cracks` but it`s a hugely important part of your puppys` training and early experiences. Help Fido grow up to be a happy, confident and friendly dog by socializing your pup early, and well.
Correct Behavior Mistakes
Puppies are just babies, baby dogs that is - and they operate mostly on canine instinct to begin with. Learning about puppy behavior and how to deal with problems that might crop up (such as nipping, chewing, whining in the crate and so on) is very important.