Bringing a new puppy home is a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you prepare properly ahead of time. You will need to make sure you have all of the right supplies and that your home is safe for a young puppy. You should also consult with a veterinarian about the right food and toys for your puppy. Here are some simple tips for caring for a new puppy.
Schedule a Visit to the Veterinarian
You should make an appointment with a veterinarian within a week of bringing your new puppy home. Your veterinarian will give your puppy a general check-up and can recommend the right food and toys. He will also schedule all necessary vaccinations and schedule an appointment to get your puppy spayed or neutered. You can also ask your veterinarian about microchipping your puppy.
Make Your Home Puppy-Safe
You will need to remove or put away items in your home that could be dangerous to your new puppy. Walk through your home and put away:
- Shoes and laundry
- Hair ties, elastics, rope, and cords
- Electrical cords
- Small items the puppy could chew or choke on
- Trash
- Human food
- Medications, toxins, chemicals, and cleaning products
You should plan on watching your puppy carefully when you bring him home. If you can’t watch him, put him in a playpen or crate. You can use a safety gate or baby gate to keep your puppy confined to a certain area of the home. He should be put in a kennel or crate when you leave the home so that he can’t get into anything dangerous.
Begin House training, Socialization, and Obedience Training
The sooner you begin training your new puppy, the better. As soon as your puppy is fully vaccinated, you should sign him up for obedience training classes. These classes can be one-on-one with the instructor, or group classes. When you take group classes, your puppy will also be socialized to interact safely with other humans and pets. You can also start taking your puppy to the dog park or on walks. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the best schedule and methods for house training as well.
Visit your veterinarian right away to get your puppy his first round of vaccinations and get professional recommendations for puppy care.
