Congratulations - you have a new puppy or dog! To help simplify the overabundance of information you’ll be offered from books, videos, advice from neighbors and even from strangers, here is a “new puppy/dog” checklist that may be helpful to you during this exciting time:
- Find a veterinarian you trust - with some luck and care, this relationship could last many years, so it pays to seek good care at a quality practice. There is a lot to cover during the first few “well” visits, including vaccinations, deworming, and future plans for spaying or neutering.
- Purchase a buckle collar and lead for your puppy. Ideally, both should be constructed from lightweight nylon or leather. Avoid chain collars or leashes, unnecessary and much too heavy for a young puppy.
- Invest in ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls, which are easy to wash and disinfect. Select a shape that is difficult for the puppy to tip.
- Grooming supplies are essential for any kind of doggy coat. If uncertain, speak to a local groomer about your puppy’s present and future needs. This is also a great time to learn about shampoos and future clipping needs for your pup’s comfort.
- Talk to your veterinarian, breeder or adoption agency about the best choices for puppy-formulated diets, as well as a suggested time frame for switching to an adult ration. The variety of commercially available foods is staggering, and some professional guidance can go a long way in reducing confusion.
- Purchase a puppy crate - or, preferably, two crates: one for the family room and one for the bedroom. A crate will make housetraining much easier and, in many cases, will eliminate the need for paper training altogether.
- Acclimate your puppy to his new crate by leaving him inside it for short, randomly scheduled periods even while you are home. By varying the times and duration of crating, you can help your puppy learn that the crate is a “safe haven,” and not simply a cage to be placed in when his owners leave the house.
- Consider litter training your small breed puppy with a dog litter system. This is a great way of potty training your puppy if you ever want your dog to “go out” without going out.
- Enroll in a local puppy “kindergarten” or other class designed to socialize young pups and teach the basic dog obedience commands. Good puppy classes usually emphasize positive reinforcement and lots of socialization to people and other dogs, with little concern for “proper” obedience training - which can come later.
- Be sure to expose your puppy to lots of different situations. Once his vaccinations have been started (and still avoiding high risk areas such as parks where other puppies run), try taking him to homes with children and for “play dates” with other (vaccinated) puppies.
- Now is a wonderful time to teach simple games such as fetch. First introduce a new ball (or any durable toy) and “trade” the toy for a small treat, then excitedly roll the toy a short distance, clapping your hands to entice the pup to bring it back for a reward. Fetch games will bring a lifetime of fun and exercise.
- If you are concerned about any behavior problems, including persistent play-biting, housetraining difficulties, or fearfulness, pay attention to your instincts! Ask your veterinarian for behavioral help or for a referral to a behavioral specialist. Problems are much easier to resolve when intervention is early.
- Take lots of pictures and start a puppy scrapbook - your new best friend is about to grow up very quickly!
Dog Health: New Dog Checklist
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