How to prepare for the arrival of your new puppy

No parent in their right mind would bring home a newborn baby with having nothing prepared: no diapers, no clothes, no bed or food. Yet some people will bring home a puppy on a whim then soon find themselves struggling with messes, chewed furniture and troublesome behaviour. A bit of forethought and preparation towards supplies and equipment, service providers, and home rules and routines will go a long way to make life with a new puppy easier for everyone.

Puppy supplies and equipment

Having the right puppies supplies ready to go will help your puppy be safe, happy, and successful as they adapt to their new life living with humans.

• Crate: A crate is an indispensable behaviour management tool; it facilitates housetraining and prevents puppy misbehaviour by keeping your dog safely confined when you’re not there to supervise. It allows you to sleep peacefully at night and enjoy dinner and a movie without worrying about what the pup is destroying.

• Enclosure/baby gates: This is another extremely useful management tool that gives the puppy more space to move around while still limiting their options to safe areas where they can be supervised.

• Collar, leash, harness

• Toys for play: balls, squeaky toys, stuffies, tug toys. Make sure there are no parts that your puppy can chew or rip off and swallow such as buttons or plastic eyes.

• Chews and food toys: Nylabones, Bully Sticks, and the like that are made for safe chewing; Kongs and other safe toys that are made to hold kibble or soft food for your puppy to work at to get the food out

• Food and water bowls • Grooming: Choose combs and brushes appropriate for your dog’s type of coat (ask a groomer or vet), shampoo and conditioner, scissors, nail clippers, cotton balls, and toothbrushes. Start using these tools on your puppy early, pairing the experience with tasty treats so she forms a positive association with the task.

• Poop bags, paper towels and enzyme cleaner - If and when you let your guard down and your puppy messes in the house, you need to clean up the mess thoroughly to remove as much odour as possible to dissuade your puppy from soiling in the same place again.

Puppy care service providers

• Veterinarian: If you don’t already have at vet, you need to actively find one as soon as possible. There is a current veterinarian shortage since the pandemic and many clinics aren’t taking on new clients. Be sure they follow fear-free protocols including allowing you to always stay with your pup during clinic visits.

• Trainer: Enrol early in a puppy socialization class. Classes with popular trainers may fill and force you onto a waiting list that causes your puppy to miss out on this training during this crucial stage of their development. The American Veterinary Society of Veterinary Behaviourists says puppies can start puppy classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age, and that life-threatening risks of under-socialization far outweigh the very minimal risk of exposure to germs in a well-run puppy class. Find an experienced trainer who is a member of and/or certified by organizations that use science-based, force-free methods.

• Groomer: Don’t wait until your puppy’s fur is matted or overgrown to make an appointment with a groomer. Like veterinarians, there is a shortage of groomers since the pandemic and you might need to wait a couple of months to get an appointment. It’s a good idea to take your puppy to the groomer before they need a full treatment so that they can have a gentle initiation to some of the equipment and care procedures. Be sure the groomer is committed to force-free handling.

• Dog walker/sitter: If you are away from home for more than three hours, make arrangements for someone to care for your puppy. Even an adult dog shouldn’t be left alone all day on a regular basis. Take the time to do your research, check references and credentials to find professionals who have knowledge and skills in force-free handling especially since they’ll be caring for your dog in your absence.

Puppy rules and routines

Bringing your new pup home can be stressful for canines and humans alike. Agreeing on rules and routines before the pup arrives and ensuring everyone follows them makes the transition easier for all. Consistency and predictability will help reduce everyone’s stress. Here are some things to decide before the new pup comes to live in your home:

Allowed on the furniture?

Allowing a dog up on your bed or couch does not make them dominant over you. Dogs simply like to be comfortable just like we do. It’s a personal preference. I don’t have my dogs up on furniture simply because I don’t like the extra housework that comes with it. The rule, however, needs to be black and white. Dogs don’t understand “sometimes”, and inconsistency is confusing and unfair to the dog.

I make my kitchen a “No Fly Zone” because it’s dangerous to have a dog underfoot when cooking and it can limit the chances of your dog stealing food off of counters.

How to play with the dog

Make sure all family members know how to play appropriately with the puppy and refrain from teasing and encouraging the puppy to bite or jump on people.

How to handle misbehaviour

Prevention is the best policy, but mistakes are sure to happen. When they do, make sure that all family members understand how to stop undesired behaviour calmly and redirect the puppy to something more appropriate.

Don’t forget the finances

Too many pets are abandoned or surrendered to shelters when owners find themselves unable to afford their care. The average Canadian spends between $1,395 - $4,270 up front. After covering the initial one-time expenses to settle your pup into your home, there are also annual costs to keep in mind. Food, vet visits, and on-going essentials can add up. In Canada, the cost of owning a dog prices out to an average of $460 - $3,140 per year (*Information sourced from rover.com).

One must also consider the cost of housing, especially during our current housing crisis. Make sure you can find and afford housing that allows dogs. Ensure you are prepared for the financial as well as time commitment before you bring a puppy into our family. Pets are for life, not convenience.

As you can see, taking on responsibility for the life of another living creature requires serious forethought and preparation as well as commitment. The way you care for your pup will determine whether they spend the rest of her life sharing companionship and love with you or end up unhappy, unwanted and perhaps homeless. Be prepared to give your dog the lifelong loving home they so deserve.

Do you have questions or comments regarding dog behaviour or training? Are there topics you would like me to discuss in future articles? Feel free to contact me at: mary@paragonpooch.com