Preparing for Your Puppy
Before you bring home your new puppy, you should prepare your home to welcome this little furry bundle of joy into your lives. You will need to make some purchases and do some "puppy-proofing" of your home to protect both your puppy and your home.
It is recommended to purchase a crate to use in housetraining your puppy. Some people continue to use the crate as a resting or sleeping area throughout their dog's life, while others use it strictly as a training aid during housebreaking. Whatever you choose is fine, as long as the crate is large enough for your dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in. If you will only use the crate for housetraining, you will want to buy a smaller crate than if you plan to use it throughout the dog's life.
For housetraining, you want a crate that your puppy will fit comfortably in and be able to move around. However, you do not want it to be too large. When housetraining a puppy, you confine him to the crate and then immediately take him outside upon opening the crate. Dogs instinctively do not like to soil their living space, so your puppy will try very hard to avoid any "accidents" inside his crate. However, if the crate is so large that the puppy can have an accident in the crate and not be anywhere near it, the crate may not work as effectively. If you plan to use the crate indefinitely, you will need a larger crate for when your puppy is a full grown dog. In this case, you should buy a crate that he will comfortably fit in as an adult. A very good option is a crate that has a partition that can be used to make the crate smaller when housebreaking.
You will also need a food and water bowl. Toys are always appreciated, and some people like to buy a special "dog bed" for their friend to sleep on. There are infinite varieties of all of these items. Have fun picking them out, and just get whatever you think will make your friend happy!
Of course, you will need a collar, leash and ID tags. Many pet stores have machines available where you can make the tag right there in the store. The tag should have important contact information about your pet such as his name, your name, and your address and telephone number. This way if he gets lost he can be returned to you.
Find out what type of puppy food the breeder or shelter has been feeding the litter. You do not want to change the diet too quickly, so you should start with the same type of food. If you want to change the diet, do it gradually, by mixing the two types of food until you eventually start using only the new food. This will prevent the stomach upset and diarrhea that can accompany rapid diet changes.
Now it is time to "puppy-proof" your home. Puppies are very curious and inquisitive by nature, and they love to chew EVERYTHING! If you are going to confine the puppy to one room or a small area enclosed by a gate, this will make your job easier. Be sure not to leave small objects such as children's toys lying around, and you will probably want to keep your shoes, socks, etc out of the puppy's reach. Electrical cords can be very dangerous, so be sure these are kept out of the way. You can buy cord storage units at most hardware stores. The garage can be a very dangerous place for a puppy. Be sure there is no antifreeze lying around, as this is a very toxic substance that puppies (and adult dogs) find irresistible. Be sure that any other potentially toxic substances are kept in securely closed or locked cabinets and well out of reach.
You're now ready to pick up your new friend! If you prepare ahead of time, your relationship with your new puppy will get off on the right foot and lead to a lasting friendship. Now have fun getting to know your new companion!