I'm getting a puppy next friday?

Question

We went out today and got some stuff like a bed, collar and lead, food (what the puppy is currently having so it's the same), a few toys, food and water bowls, and a few other small things.

What are the basic things I need for a new puppy? Is there anything I've forgotten? Also, any advice about the puppy's first few days with us?

Answer 1

The one thing you forgot is a crate. (unless you meant that as his bed.)  Also, brush, nail clipper, ear cleaner, Quick Stop, training treats, a folder to keep all his registration papers, pedigree, medical records, pictures in.

Answer 2

You gotta get a shoe chew great for them keeps them quiet hehe

Answer 3

Sounds like you've got just about everything. I'd make sure I have some old newspapers handy (potty training cause if you get those little pads they will be confused if you switch suddenly as the pads have a scent on them that tells them to go there) and maybe make sure you have a clock because sometimes it helps them not to whine so much when you're trying to sleep. They're used to sleeping with their momma or litter-mates so this will remind them somewhat of a heartbeat and make them a little less lonely. Worked with all of ours.Annnnd let's see... Oh yes, if you haven't done the proper research on the dog (history, personality traits and habits and grooming and such) then you should. A brush would be handy for the fur grooming and any other grooming supplies you feel is necessary for the breed. And finally, you're attention cause puppies are high maintenance lol. Then you should be set! Congrats and good luck!

Answer 4

Collect your puppy early in the morning; this will enable you to have several rehearsals for bedtime. It will help him settle and get used to his new surroundings. If you carry out the following he will not cry during the night and it will prevent separation anxiety for the rest of his life...

If you bring your dog home by car take someone with you who will do the driving and let him lie on your lap, (not the driver, the puppy) this will help him to recognise you as his best friend. Do not let him into the house until he has been into the yard/garden and when you put him down he will probably urinate. If he does, use a phrase like “get one” and use this phrase every time he urinates. Eventually he will pee on command. After he has a pee let him wander around your yard/garden, if it’s not fenced keep him on a lead. After this take him into the house.

If you do the following you will be able to potty train your dog and prevent separation anxiety. Dogs get separation anxiety if they are left alone. Hopefully you realise that you cannot leave your puppy all day,   some dogs get very stressed if they are left alone for just a short time.  You cannot take them shopping or to the dentists, consequently YOU MUST TRAIN THEM TO BE CONFIDENT WHEN THEY ARE LEFT AND PREVENT SEPARATION ANXIETY.

Puppies need a lot of sleep and he will be tired after sniffing around the garden, he will need to rest and sleep in peace. Do the following to ensure that he does not suffer from separation anxiety and does not miss his mum and his litter mates. This is also vital if you want your dog to be clean and potty trained.

Put your dog in a separate room if possible, then go out of this room and close the door. Open the door immediately and go into the room again, ignore your dog whilst pretending to clean the counter tops or pretend to do something else for a very short time. Go out of the room and immediately go back in again, keep doing this and gradually increase the amount of time which you stay on the other side of the door.

Timing is vital and you must get back into the room BEFORE YOUR PUPPY CRIES. Eventually your puppy will go to sleep and will be convinced that you are just on the other side of the door. When you know that he is asleep stop going into the room, however you MUST LISTEN FOR HIM WAKING UP.

When you know that he is awake, go into the room lift him up and CARRY HIM into the garden for a pee and whilst he is doing this say “get one” and praise him profusely. Puppies need feeding about four times a day, although he may have a pee before his feed you should also take him out again afterwards. You must always take him out when it wakes up and after he has had food or drink. It’s also a good idea to let him explore your yard/garden afterwards and play with him. Before you go to bed, take him out again and when you wake up take him out immediately

It is vital that you continue with the door thing for the first few days. This will stop him crying during the night because he will think that you are close by. To ensure that you have a happy puppy, try to devote all of your time to him for the first two weeks.  This will help with potty training, however he will not have any control for the first few months and he will pee during the night... To help him, use newspaper that you have rubbed in one of the pees that he has done outside and leave several layers of newspaper on the floor. Hopefully he will toilet on the newspaper during the night.

You should also encourage visitors as this will help with his socialisation. Later when you able to take him out, walk around supermarket car parks and the perimeter where there are lots of people. Stand at the school gates and watch the children coming out and you MUST take him to puppy classes to get used to other dogs.

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 5

You'll need some grooming tools, like brush, comb, shampoo & round nosed scissors (depending on the breed.)  Also, see if you can take a new stuffed toy to the breeder to keep w/mom & the litter, then take it home w/you when you pick up the puppy.  The toy will have a familiar scent on it & make the pup feel more secure.

Answer 6

Seems you have covered most bases - but I would endorse the crate purchase.  I was going to suggest you get your breeder to give you some of the food your pup has been having, but I see you have bought some.  Any switch in food should be done gradually btw. so you don't upset his tummy.

Dorothy S - just reading your instructions (great) makes me weak - we are getting a new puppy in the next few months, first buy in for years.  I'm starting to wonder if I'm still up to this ..............  

Answer 7

id say def get a crate, if you dont want to crate it go to your pet shop and they shoudl have a fabric play pen this for small dogs, its 50p shaped and got heaps of room, it zips up so you can put the puppy in there at night or if you need to go out and not have to worry where its doing the toilet or if its chewing stuff, be prepared for house accidents constantly for the first few months, reducing about 6 mnths to one or twice a week, apparently the vet said no dog is house trained til at least a year old.