Things to Know Before Bringing Your Puppy Home
You have done your research and found a breed that fits with your family's lifestyle.
You did your research and found a reputable breeder for that breed. You are now ready to bring home that little ball of fur that will become your new family member. This is a huge step, almost like bringing home a baby, and there are things you should have prepared before this wonderful day.
First thing you should do when you know you will be getting your new canine companion is do a little puppy proofing of your home. This is quite similar to baby proofing your home for a newly crawling baby. You will need to get down to a puppy's level. Yes, I mean get down on all fours and take a look around. There are very interesting things to see and entice a puppy on this level. What do you see? Do you see something that would be really fun to chew on? Do you see something that a small puppy could get tangled up in? These are the things to look for from your puppy's vantage point. Anything you can see that would be interesting to your puppy you will need to remove.
Another thing to remove from your puppy's level is certain house plants. A lot of house plants are poisonous to animals. With your puppy's natural inclination to chew, this can be a very dangerous situation. Some of the more common poisonous plants include: amaryllis, azalea, caladium, daffodils, holly, iris, ivy, mistletoe, marcissus, poinsettia, rhododendron, tulips, and yews. A good rule of thumb is to just have all house plants, and if your puppy will be outside those plants as well, kept out of your puppy's reach.
Now from dangerous to necessary, we move to having all the supplies for your puppy before you bring him home. It is a good idea to do a little brainstorming before bringing puppy home to determine what supplies he will need and have this on hand before you need them. A short list of items you will need would include: a crate, collar and leash, identification tags, food and water bowls, grooming tools, and good puppy chew toys.
A few moments spent getting ready for your puppy's arrival will make it a special occasion. If you plan and prepare ahead, you will be able to focus on your new furry friend instead of what he can get into or having to run to the store for basic care items.