There are plenty of reasons why you should adopt a puppy. First of all, you’re taking them from what is likely a horrible situation, and you are giving them a loving home. And, of course, you get to benefit too – you’ll have a new best friend!
Unfortunately, getting ready for your new puppy isn’t necessarily easy. Many people are very unprepared when they get a dog, especially if it’s their first time being a dog owner.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy list of things you need to do when you’re preparing to adopt a puppy.
Stock up on food
Your puppy will likely be hungry, so you need to be sure to have food that you can give them when they come home. Keep in mind that puppies can’t just eat any kind of food, so it’s best to give them food that is specifically created for puppies.
Have a look at Pure Pet Food to learn more about feeding a dog. You might also find it helpful to set reminders on your phone at certain times so that you can get into a routine when it comes to feeding your puppy.
Arrange a vet appointment
As soon as you know when you will be getting your puppy, you should arrange an appointment with your vet. The place you are adopting your puppy from will likely give you a record of the puppy’s previous vet visits and vaccinations, but it’s still a good idea to take them to your vet so that they can get used to the environment.
This will also give your vet the chance to give your puppy a quick checkup, and administer any additional vaccines they may need.
Create a safe space for them
Keep in mind that adopted puppies are often a bit skittish and scared of humans, which is because many of them come from bad circumstances. While your entire house should be a loving and welcoming environment for your new puppy, it’s a good idea to create a space that is just for them – somewhere where they feel safe, and where they can escape to when they feel overwhelmed.
You should fill this space with toys, a dog bed, and blankets. For more tips on creating the perfect sleeping space for dogs, click here.
Give them forms of identification
It sounds weird to give a puppy a form of identification, but it’s very important. Once your puppy is old enough, you should have the vet chip them, so that if they ever get lost and are found, people will be able to contact you.
Until then, you can give them a form of identification by adding a dog tag with their name and your number to their collar. This way, people can call you if your puppy ever escapes (which will hopefully never happen).
Arrange sterilization
Of course, if you are adopting a very young puppy, you won’t need to think about sterilization for a few months. But if your puppy is already a few months old, you might want to arrange an appointment with your vet and set a date for their sterilization.
Sterilizing your dog is incredibly important, so you need to do it as soon as possible. This is usually after they are six months old, but it can also be a bit later because it depends on various factors. Either way, once you know at what age you should spay or neuter your dog, you should arrange it so that it’s taken care of. Otherwise, you may end up forgetting.
Buy some toys
Is it necessary to buy toys for your puppy? No. Is it recommended? Absolutely. Puppies are curious and energetic, meaning if they don’t have something to keep them busy, they’ll get bored. This is when they go exploring and often end up in trouble.
Buying them a toy will keep them from chewing on other things, and it can also help them when they are teething. On top of that, using toys can make it easier for you to play with your puppy, which means you’ll be able to bond with them.
Puppy proof your house
You’ve heard of baby proofing, but have you heard of puppy proofing? Yes, it’s a real thing, and yes, you should do it.
Making sure that your house and yard are puppy proof will keep your puppy safe, especially in the beginning. You should be sure to puppy proof the inside of your house so that your puppy can’t access anything or anywhere they shouldn’t, and you should also make sure that there is nowhere they can escape from your yard.
Puppy proofing your house will also help you, because your puppy will hopefully not be chewing up everything you own.
Socialize your other dogs
If you have other dogs, then introducing a puppy to your household can be a bit of a tricky situation to navigate. That being said, it will be much easier to do this if your other dogs are socialized already. Try to arrange a playdate for your dogs and someone else’s dogs, so that you can see how they react to strange dogs.
If possible, you should also introduce the puppy to them for an hour or two before you permanently bring the puppy home. This will make it less overwhelming for everyone involved.
In conclusion
While getting a puppy can be very exciting, it’s important that you make sure you are prepared. Remember that you are the one who will be responsible for the puppy, so you need to ensure that all of their needs are met.
Of course, as you get to know your puppy, you will probably think of other things you need to do. Don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing for your puppy – you’ll have too much on your plate, and it will be hard to do everything you need to while still juggling all the tasks that go along with a new puppy.
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