Getting a new puppy is a commitment that should not be taken lightly. This gentle animal will look to you for love, support, and care. In return he will give you unconditional love, attention, and bring joy and happiness to your life and house. This is a commitment that cannot be taken lightly or done on a whim. You should not get a new pet on impulse, rather you need to think about what you are getting into and ask yourself if you are ready.
Below is a small list of supplies you will need to make your new family member's days (and nights) as comfortable as possible. These items are must haves before you bring you new pet home.
Crate
You pets crate is an essential piece in housebreaking and keeping him (or her) safe when you are not around. The crate should only be big enough to start so that you puppy can stand up turn around and lay down. Your puppy will sleep in this crate at night and spend time in it until they get the hang of going potty outside. Some dogs enjoy their crates so much they will look forward to going in every night.
Leash/Collar
You will want to train your puppy early in life the proper way to walk on a leash. A good leash and collar are also very important to your puppy's safety while outside. You want you leash to be long enough so that your pet can walk comfortably but not so long that they can get out to far ahead or to the side. You want to be able to control your pet while they are on the leash. Collars should not be too heavy for your puppy and not placed to tightly around the neck. A good rule of thumb is you should be able to place to fingers comfortably between the collar and the dog's neck. For long haired breeds a rolled leather collar is good in preventing mats from forming. Also, with larger breed dogs you may want to consider utilizing a harness while on walks. Most importantly, make sure you get a tag made to put on your pets collar. You will want his name, your name, your phone number, and if you are comfortable, your address. If you puppy gets lost this will aid in getting him home safely to you.
Food/Water Bowl
Food and water bowls should proportionate to your puppy's size. A Maltese puppy will obviously need a smaller bowl than a St. Bernard puppy. Also, if the bowls are going to be on tiled or other slick surfaces you may want to get bowls with rubberized bottoms to prevent slipping. You puppy should always have access to fresh water.
Chew Toy
Your new puppy will want to chew and bite. There is no getting around that. One way to alleviate the frustration of them chewing or biting you or your furniture is to get them accustomed to chew toys. There are a plethora of different toys on the market today. Most toys are fine but you may want to stay away from rawhide bones and tows with loose or dangling attachments. Solid toys are always best.
Dog/Puppy Food
A good puppy food is essential to having a healthy happy pet. Make sure the food size is proportionate to the breed size. There are as many brands of food as there are dog breeds so do your research. Stay away from using too much wet food in their diet. Small, crunchy bites are best for puppies.
Microchip
Perhaps, the most important piece of equipment, the one that has reunited more lost pets with their owners, is the microchip. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted between the shoulders. The chip is assigned a number unique to that one chip. As a responsible pet owner, you will need to register the chip with your information. If you pet is lost, a vet or animal control can scan the chip, put the number in their database, and notify you that they have your beloved friend.
Remember, getting this pet is a lifetime commitment that must be taken seriously. These tips and supplies are essential to getting you off on the right foot (or paw) in this lifetime together.
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