Puppy Food

Your puppy will be on a Hills Chicken and Rice puppy food. Based on your veterinarian's recommendations, you can look at transitioning to a new food later, but the goal is to maintain as much of the puppy’s regular routine as possible. You will also want to purchase a few bags of different small training treats or biscuits—get various flavors as you work toward finding out what your puppy prefers. You will want to begin training your puppy immediately, and using food rewards to reinforce good behaviors is vital to helping your puppy thrive in that critical socialization period.

Safety: How to Puppy Proof Your House

Puppies explore the world with their mouths—they do not have dexterous digits to help them navigate like we do! Just like a human infant, a puppy doesn’t know what’s edible and what’s not. The world is brand new, and they are trying to figure it all out for the first time. This means that anything is fair game to go into a puppy’s mouth: mulch, rocks, trash, shoes, remote controls, you name it.  Keeping your puppy safe and limiting access to dangerous items should be a top objective for preparing for that first week. Choose a designated room or spot in the home for your puppy.  Whichever room you choose, remove décor, clutter, and any other loose objects within reach. Install sturdy dog gates with easy-open doors at the entrance(s) to block your puppy’s access to rooms that are not puppy-proofed. Depending on the layout of your home, a playpen could also provide a protected space for your puppy, especially in the first few weeks. A collar, tag, harness, and leash are essential for taking them on walks; however, you may need a harness as you train your puppy. A car restraint is necessary for their safety if you’ll be traveling often. Puppy pads are helpful for house training, and poo bags are needed for outside.

Puppy Crate and/or Pen

A crate or a pen will be your most useful tool. It allows you to create a safe, puppy-proof area for your puppy when you cannot provide 100 percent supervision. Most people have the best success using a metal wire crate that is easy to clean and has a divider inside that can be adjusted as your puppy grows. Crate training can assist with potty training, encouraging nap time (puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep daily), and establishing good habits such as settling. Choose a quiet spot away from the everyday hubbub of family life to help foster a good sleeping environment. A crate cover can help create a den-like, cozy space for your puppy, as well as a soft blanket and a puppy heartbeat toy, which holds a battery-powered heartbeat mechanism and has space for a disposable heating pad to mimic a sleeping littermate further.

Surviving the first night.

For many, the first night is the toughest. Some puppies may cry the first few nights. If you're crate training, you may want to take them out and console them. However, letting them cry in their crate will help them understand the rules. You can put their crate in your bedroom so they know you're nearby. Small young puppies are not able to hold their bladder through the night. Make sure that you have them go before and after bedtime.  They can maintain their body fluids for several hours the older they get. Until then, you must allow a quick potty break throughout the night, then back in the crate.

Puppy Toys

Play is an essential part of any dog’s everyday life, and toys can offer appropriate outlets for excess energy and seek to satisfy the primal hunting and chewing instincts that are still present in your puppy’s DNA. You should look at purchasing different toys to have for the first week. Choose a variety of toys—plush stuffed toys, toys with squeakers, toys of various materials and fabrics, puppy-level teething chews made of non-toxic material, tug toys, rubber balls, and more. A newer item on the market is a tug/chase toy called a flirt pole; it has a toy at the end of the rope and allows you to engage with your puppy while safely keeping those sharp puppy teeth far away from human skin contact.

Bonding with your puppy

Positive reinforcement and plenty of affection. You will want to get them used to a little firmer touch at times. This will help in the long run. Touching their eyes, mouth, ears, feet, toes, back, and tail will not harm them. Over time, it will be a blessing. This way, your fur baby will be comfortable knowing that grooming, nail trims, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and vet visits. They know they are safe. 

Pet Insurance

A pet parent's top priority is keeping their new pup safe and healthy. I currently use Embrace, but there are so many out there that help cover costs related to everything from accidents and injuries to surgeries and hospitalizations. Some plans even offer preventative care package options to offset the cost of non-emergency medical care, such as food, grooming, and supplies at a very reasonable price in case it's a path you decide to take.