Puppy Starter List

small puppies

Bringing a new pup home, especially for the first time, can be very exciting. The pup is not only a great addition to your family, but in no time, you will have a best friend welcoming you home after a long day. How exciting can that get!

First things first, you need to do some ice breaking to get that relationship moving. So, how do you build a relationship with your dog to ensure they are well taken care of? Puppy care is fundamental to creating a bond with your pup.

Good news is, it’s simpler to bond with your pup than your fully developed dog. So, are you ready for some pup homecoming? We have prepared you a puppy starter list to guide you through bonding with your dog and puppy care. What are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

Create a friendly and welcoming environment

The first simple step of the puppy starter list is to ensure they feel welcome in their new home. A puppy may feel anxious and even scared of the new house and the environment. As a pup parent, you should create a safe space for your pup to feel comfortable and welcomed (puppy proof your home).

getting a new puppy checklist

For instance, too much can be overwhelming. Imagine your pup getting lost in another room while wandering around. They can get distressed and even panicky.

An important key point on this puppy starter list is confining your puppy to a few rooms as they get conversant with their new home. You can put up small baby gates and barriers within which you can place the pup’s bed and food.

Creating a safe space for your pup, as we have mentioned on our puppy supply list also includes providing a quiet and peaceful environment for your new guest. Loud sounds can scare your pup, and so will many people. If you are handling a puppy from a shelter with a history of abuse or trauma, you should be extra gentle and friendly. Avoid startling the puppy at all costs to make bonding even easier.

Spending time with your puppy

Your puppy is not meant to wait by the door for you when you get home. The reason you got the pup in the first place was for companionship. The second item on our puppy starter lists is spending time with your puppy. Time is priceless, and you should always create time for your pup. There are many ways to spend time with your pup, for instance, brushing your puppy. Although it may sound silly, brushing time allows you a minute with your puppy. It is a simple ritual that can create such a strong bond between you and your canine. Grooming your dog makes them see you as the care provider, and you only. Therefore, it earns you trust from your pup.

Talk to your puppy
puppy boarding

Even though you and your puppy may not speak the same language, this next point of our starter list is key to bonding with your puppy. It would help if you talked to your pup when you are feeding them. Initiate a conversation like asking about their day or talk about yours.

Developing reliable communication with your dog also allows you to learn their body language and responses. You will be able to tell when they are anxious, happy, or fearful.

Playtime

Even without a puppy starter list, who doesn’t enjoy playing with their dog? Playing with your pup contributes to your bonding as they feel loved and appreciated by the new owner. There are many games you can play with your puppy. For instance, you can play fetch in the park. It can also be a great way to explore new places with your pup.

Also, you can enroll your puppy in dog sports. There are countless options from agility games to fly and herding. The main reason for this or any puppy list is to help you bond with your dog. Choose carefully!

Train your puppy

Another key point on our puppy starter list is training your puppy. As much as you can pull on a happy, loving owner, you should also be able to say no to your puppy. A good puppy parent is one who can firmly but fairly train a puppy.

You can train your puppy using the reward system, where you give treats such as cookies on any excellent deed they do. For instance, if you ask them to sit, and they do, a treat will go a long way in communicating that the pup did a good deed, and they should keep it up.

You can correct your puppy calmly without necessarily having to be harsh or abusive verbally or physically. You shouldn’t entertain unnecessary barking or pooping everywhere.

Walks and Exercise
puppy socialization

Time to put on those gym shoes and take your puppy out for a walk! It’s important to bond with your dog by taking walks in the park together. You can also walk around the neighborhood to familiarize them with their new environment. You could make it a morning jog with your puppy to exercise and bonding. This also helps get their energy out, and as a puppy, if they aren’t given the adequate attention, they will most likely turn to being curious (which could mean digging or chewing furniture).

Social skills

Although it may be tempting to smother your puppy with cuddles and hugs all the time, it’s crucial to allow them some independence and their own me time. It would be best if you did not turn into some “puppyzilla” over your canine. It is a crucial puppy starter to help develop social skills in your puppy.

You can do this by taking them for play dates with other puppies in the park or leave them to establish their own living space with the other dogs if you have any.

Conclusion

While trying to get all tips of a puppy starter list right, always remember that it’s the simple things that matter the most. Cuddling with your puppy and feeding them every day speaks volumes compared to buying expensive toys.

Finally, even with a puppy starter list, remember to give it time. Not even Rome was built in a single day. What makes you think a bond is created in a day or two? It may take time for your little buddy to be completely comfortable with you, but finally, you will have that breakthrough!

Have a read through our blog post on what to do when you first bring home a puppy!

New Puppy Care Tips

special dog

Congratulations! You finally did it. You’ve just gotten a new member of the family coming over, and you are ecstatic. Your life will never be the same again. Well, at least for me, life changed for the better after a grueling period with my new-found love. Despite the constant jibber-jabber and excitement from the neighbor’s kids, I didn’t really understand the magnitude and the ramifications of what I’d gotten myself into, bearing in mind that I already had a long-standing family member with us. Your guess is as good as mine. Chaos! I didn’t have the opportunity of getting some of the new puppy advice but had to find it all myself, but don’t fret. I’m here now to help. Rest easy that your transition will be as smooth as a baby’s bum. So, what are the tips and experiences that might help when it comes to puppy care? Indulge yourself.

Heading Home

weaning puppies

The first step towards bonding with your puppy is on your first journey home. Whether it’s a long drive from the breeder or shelter or a short flight, chances are that anxiety attack will follow. One of the new puppy advice I received was to tag along with a towel or a t-shirt that bore its litter mates or mother’s scent. I wish I hadn’t received such a piece of advice later since my journey was marred with constant whining and barking due to anxiety. Puppies tend to build up tension once they get out of their mother’s comfort or get introduced to new environments.

Calming an anxious puppy is an uphill task since they have the least control of their bowel movements. Long story short, I arrived home in a stinky car and had to air it out for a few days. You don’t have to go through this as it’s simpler to calm it down. Just carry is blanket with you (or have some puppy pads handy!).

Some of the new puppy advice I later got was patting or stroking the dog while talking to it. At the time, it didn’t occur to me that talking to the dog was an effective stress reliever and a way of teaching the dog to realize and recognize your voice until later on. I applied such advice, and she’s now outgoing and doesn’t hide under the table like before.

Pecking Order

For dog owners who already have a long-standing member, a new pecking order is a must. In my case, Charlie wouldn’t let it go easy when I introduced Bailey. Being territorial, she was overly protective of me leading to elevated tension. One of the most common new advice for those with existing dogs is to let the pecking order naturally take its course. We know that your overprotective of the new puppy, but trust me, it does more harm than good. Just be sure to keep an eye that the older dog doesn’t overstep its boundary.

It was a stressful time for me, and at times, I was an emotional wreck. My older dog used to bite the tiny new one, and I would yell at her. Little did I know that my actions made the situation worse. The older one ended up retreating and seemed to be more stressed. In such situations, it would only be prudent to say a firm no until it gets the hang of it. I became an expert on getting a new puppy quickly.

Spend Ample Time Together

I know that most of us are on the grind with crazy shifts and crunched for time. Termed as one of the most fundamental new puppy advice out there,

Spending ample time with your new-found love ensures that there is minimal rein.

You’ll be able to detect and rectify certain behaviors early before they become habitual. In my case, I came home to find tissue linings strewn all over the living room area. If that’s not enough, my puppy swallowed one of my misplaced prized earrings. I had to prep her up for surgery to get the earring back. It all goes to show that spending more time together limits their destructive nature. I should add to the new puppy advice that if you can’t devote ample time to your pup, readily carry them to work. At least you can periodically bump in and check in on them. This time could be used for puppy grooming to bond you and your pup in a productive way.

Finding the Appropriate Vet

Puppy needs

Speaking of surgery, it was a nerve-wracking experience for me since she recently just got out of the shelter. I didn’t know the kind of internal damage the earring had inflicted on her. Fast forward, she was awarded a clean bill of health, thanks to the efforts of the vet. You must have a qualified vet a call away since such animals have a tendency to get sickly, partly due to our own faults. Having your own qualified vet is among the best new puppy advice you can get out there since it acts as a buffer to some of the nerve-wracking experiences such as mine.

Conclusion

Pet puppies are cute and adorable, but they do come with responsibilities that may actually weigh one down. I hope that some of these experiences will go a long way in equipping first-time puppy owners for that elusive smooth transition.

Find all you need for you puppy supply list here!

Best Toys For A New Puppy

Best toys for new puppy

Puppies are a great pet that can add colors to your life. They are the most loyal pets that we can have and they are among the most adopted pets because of their friendly nature. Their property of paying back love is something that can make you feel comforted and happy, especially in this era of selfishness. But, to adopt a puppy comes up with certain responsibilities. Experienced people have a good understanding of the needs and requirements of puppies. As you can not give all your time to puppies, there is a need for them to have some toys to pass their time. In this article, we’ll discuss why puppies need toys and some best toys for a new puppy.

Best toys for new puppy

Puppies require both physical and emotional support. It’s their innate physical nature to bite and chew things. Emotionally, they need activities when kept away from their family. Toys can partially or completely fulfill such needs of puppies. A number of such toys are available with whom puppies can play and bite them. These toys help puppies in time pass and also fulfill their chewing requirement. Such toys are also necessary because they help prevent the biting of your household things like the couch, pillows, tissue rolls, etc. by puppies. The best toys for a new puppy will help you avoid such problems.

Boredom is the root cause of destructive behavior in puppies. It also leads to attention-seeking behavior in them. Once again dog toys help in these situations. Some toys are great mental stimulators for puppies. They eliminate the boring time period and also help in the behavioral modification in puppies. Moreover, toys are a good means for teaching some skills to the puppies. Dogs take good interests in challenges. You can make puppy learn eating and other behavioral habits using these toys. Also, the toys are helpful in improving the emotional intelligence of puppies. That’s a lot of discussion about the need for toys. The next section of this article is concerned with the list of best toys for a new puppy.

What exactly are the best toys for a new puppy

1. Kong:

This is the most recommended toy to be included in the list of toys for puppies. It’s a multifunctional toy with a beehive shape and made up of rubber. The inner cave-like empty space can be filled with soft foods. Puppies have to figure out the ways to get the food out of Kong using their tongue. Make sure to stuff Kong with moist food so that the puppies don’t get frustrated by dried and unreachable food. Thus Kong is a challenge for puppies that improve their learning and a very good time passing toy. Its like a best friend to puppies and most people review it as the best possible toy. Kong is available in multi colors and varied shapes. Its cost is also absolutely affordable so it’s among the best toys for a new puppy. 

2. Sharlov:

Sharlovy is another no stuffed dog chewable toy recommended for puppies. It’s multiple pieces of toys with 14 pack rope, Frisbee, dog toothbrush, etc. It’s a wonderful tool for engaging puppies in healthy physical activity. Therefore if you are busy and don’t have enough time for your puppy, a Sharlovy will be really helpful on this occasion. Dog owners come up with a very positive review of this toy. Sharlovy is also available in different shapes and colors. It is also low in cost so you can buy one for your puppy. If you are looking for best toys for a new puppy then Sharlovy is a toy of your choice.

3. Chuckit:

It is a small toy that functions as a ball thrower. Chuckit balls are soft rounded balls make of rubber. Puppies rush to get the ball. Chuckit is, therefore, a sports toy for puppies. It engages them in physical activity that is good to keep them lively and energetic. A happy and playing puppy is always lovable to watch. Thus Chuckit is also included among the list of best toys for a new puppy. It is a very simple and cheap toy but beneficial for the puppies.

Conclusion:

There are a number of other toys available online that are good for your puppies. Puppies love to play with these toys. You must choose the best toys for a new puppy to manage their activities. However, these should be a limited time for puppies to play with these toys. This will help in keeping their interest in the toys because too much playing time makes them frustrated and fed-up of their toys. Therefore these toys must be provided to puppies to keep them lively, healthy and energetic. These toys are not only good for puppies (and adult dogs) but they also enable you to manage your time. Therefore it is very helpful to have the best toys for a new puppy.