Author: Sue Tennbrook
There are few things cuter than a new puppy - at least until you
bring one home and watch him soil your carpet and chew on your favorite
sofa! Those adorable faces in the pet store window are going to take
some effort on your part to care for and train.
The key to have a great start for the new family member is to arm
yourself with lots of valuable puppy care information and most of all,
prepare yourself and your whole family well. That way the most critical
first days and weeks will be much more enjoyable to you and the puppy
as well. To be the best puppy owner you can be, you need a lot of
knowledge and tools to handle most anything coming your way!
Don't Forget the Supplies - Stock Up
To determine which supplies that you will need for your new arrival,
there are any number of websites that will offer the puppy care
information that you will need. Other good sources for puppy care
information include your veterinarian's office, the local library, or
the shelter that you adopt your puppy from.
The first thing you need for your puppy are high quality feeding
supplies, things like bowls for water and food. You'll also need high
quality dry food which is especially formulated for puppies. This is
very important for your puppy's longterm health! It's also a good idea
to get a crate for your puppy. Most puppy care information guides talk
about benefits of crate training dogs. You should line the bottom of
the crate with an old blanket or soft towel that your puppy will find
comfortable for sleeping on. In the beginning it could be good to take
a small piece of cloth from puppy's old home and put it where it sleeps
as that makes him or her feel more comfortable and safe.
Few chew toys and grooming supplies like shampoo and nail clippers are
also important from the beginning. As far as chew toys go, avoid things
like rawhide as that can break off and get lodged in small dog's
throat. Instead get something like Nylabone chew toy for playtime.
Hopefully those toys will save your brand new shoes or those living
room chairs. Puppies are a lot like children; they have new teeth and
those need a lot of material to bite on! You'll also need a collar and
leash before you bring your puppy home. Remember also that although
puppies are hyperactive they also need a lot of sleep and rest to help
them grow and become well mannered and peaceful as adult dogs.
Prepare For Housebreaking
Housebreaking will be one of the first training objectives you will
have for your pup, and there is plenty of good puppy care information
available to complete this task properly. A crate can be a very helpful
tool in the process of housebreaking, since your puppy is unlikely to
soil his crate when he is inside.
For more information about puppy care and housebreaking check the
Internet or ask advice from the breeder or veterinarian. Just make sure
that you have lots of cleaning supplies available as accidents can and
do happen. Most of all, be patient as it will take some time for your
puppy to get the hang of this routine.
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