How To Prep For A New Puppy

Puppy

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Bella Breakdown

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means: tons of cute and fuzzy animals! I got my second puppy last spring and I definitely had really bad puppy fever. If you are considering getting a new puppy this time of year, then there are a few things you need to do to prepare for your new house guest.

1. Buy a crate
People have differing opinions about crate training a dog, but almost all veterinarians and professional dog trainers agree that you should crate train a new puppy. If you do, it will be easier to potty train them and your little fur baby will have a safe place to go and rest. So, get their crate ahead of time and put a nice, cozy blanket and some toys in there.

2. Puppy proof your house
Once you get your new puppy, they will quickly become comfortable in your home and want to explore and discover everything. This, combined with teething, means that they will begin to put a lot of things in their mouth. Make sure there is nothing on the ground or within reachable distance that your puppy can chew up and eat.

3. Choose their dog food
Dog food is another thing that many people will have an opinion on. The general consensus right now is that you should get grain free food because it is healthier for your pup. It is also important to choose a puppy food, and not an adult food, because it is easier on their delicate little tummies. Ask your vet or breeder for advice on what kind of food to buy.

4. Make your first vet appointment
Soon after you get your puppy, it will be time for them to go to the vet. Pups need to see the vet almost right away in order to get their first round of shots and have their first check up. Vets like to look at new dogs to make sure that everything is going well because, just like a baby, they can get sick really easily.

5. Get a dog training book
In my opinion, this is one of the best things you can do for yourself. A dog training book will inform you on how and when to train your dog, and it will make you feel like you (kind of) know what you are doing. Plus, if you puppy starts doing something that you think is weird, your dog training book can usually tell you why (and ususally it’s not actually that weird). I recommend checking out “How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With”.

When you get your fur baby, you want to be prepared to make them have the most positive experience possible! If you buy a dog spontaneously, you may find that you are in over your head. So, prepare ahead of time and you can make the transition easier for you and your new puppy.

Author: Dani Rumbagh

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