The joy and excitement of bringing a puppy home are like no other, but are you aware of the puppy tips for the first week to ensure proper care? There is more to just bringing a puppy home. You need to make sure that you and your home are ready for the new addition.
Our puppy tips for the first week should help you prep yourself. So, let’s dive right into them.
Tip 1: Make your home puppy-proof
The first puppy tips for the first week covers the basics of preparing your home for the new addition. You can start with the following:
- Puppies will chew anything and everything. So, you can start with storing any items that you don’t want them to chew. You will need to hide all electrical cables behind furniture or cover them. Puppies love to chew at wires, so you don’t want to leave any out in the open.
- If there are certain rooms you want to block access to so the puppy doesn’t pee or poop in them, you need to do that before you bring it home. You can get plastic fences or just lock the door to the room.
- Cleaning supplies and other harmful chemicals should be stored in high cabinets.
- Make sure all your medication is properly stored, and never leave them out in the open.
- Put a lock on all your doors and windows and ensure they are closed properly.
- Don’t leave the trash can out in the open, puppies will try to rummage through it. Not only will that leave a mess, but it can lead to health problems for the pup.
- If you have any poisonous plants, move them outside.
Tip 2: Buy supplies for the puppy
The second puppy tips for the first week covers supplies your puppy would need. These items should make the transition to your home a lot easier for the puppy. Your new puppy checklist of items should include the following:
- A dog bed, you may even want two. The second one is a backup when you need to wash the first one.
- Bowls for food and water, we recommend you go with ceramic or stainless steel options.
- Toys, you want toys that are big enough that the puppy can’t swallow. Get chewable stuffed toys, balls, and any other toy you like to keep the puppy entertained.
- Food, the product should be approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Which means it is complete and balanced for your puppy’s nutrition.
- Collar and leash, so you can take it out.
- Brush and comb, for grooming purposes.
- Crate, to help with potty training
- Cleaning supplies, disinfectants, gloves, and disposable paper.
Tip 3: Find a vet near you
The next puppy tips for the first week is identifying a vet you trust near you. You don’t want to take your puppy to just anyone. You want a clinic that is aware of your pup’s needs and schedules shots, parasite control, and deworming. Therefore, look online for vets near you and contact them. Ask about the services they provide, if they have an emergency clinic and their costs. Pick the one you feel most comfortable with. Also, before making a decision, be sure to check their reviews online.
Tip 4: The ultimate puppy tip for the first week: Be patient
Like babies, puppies take time to develop. This means you will need to take time to train it and be patient during the process. Many new owners tend to get frustrated when puppies don’t understand their commands or when they find out they are not potty trained. You will need to spend the first few weeks with the pup potty and command training.
Don’t overdo it though. Training takes time and you don’t want to tire the pup out by constantly giving it commands or forcing it to do something it doesn’t want. All that will do is frustrate it.
Final thought
You and your home are both new for a puppy. You want to make it feel as comfortable as possible, so it adapts to both easily. More often than not, that will take time. You can make the process easier by puppy-proofing your home and buying the supplies we have mentioned. Our puppy tips for the first week should have your puppy making your home its own in no time.