Essential Tips for Preparing for a New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure filled with joy, cuddles, and a whole lot of responsibility. Much like bringing a new family member into your home, it requires careful preparation and planning to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your furry friend. From puppy-proofing your space to establishing routines, here’s a comprehensive guide on what you need to do to prepare for your new puppy.

Research Breeds:

Before bringing home a puppy, research different breeds to find one that aligns with your lifestyle, living space, and energy levels. Consider factors such as size, exercise needs, grooming requirements, and temperament. Each breed has its own unique characteristics and tendencies, so choose one that fits well with your preferences and capabilities. Please be mindful of your potential new pet’s needs regardless of how much you like a specific breed. Meaning, please don’t choose a high energy breed like a Boxer if your favorite thing to do is be a couch potato.

Puppy-Proof Your Home:

This one is a critical step and often widely overlooked in the preparation process. Puppies are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings, often getting into mischief along the way.  Because of this we need to get our homes ready. This includes picking up shoes out of reach, removing rugs, placing paper products up high such as toilet paper. Make sure you have trash cans that aren’t easily accessible. You may even need to hide power cords or block off whole areas to your home until your puppy is ready and mature enough to follow house rules. Remove any hazardous items such as toxic plants, small objects that could be swallowed, and secure cabinets with household cleaners and chemicals.

Set Up a Safe Space:

Create a designated area in your home where your puppy can feel safe and secure. Dogs are natural denning animals which means they NEED a space to call their own to have balance and security. This space should include a comfortable bed (if your puppy doesn’t potty or chew on it), food and water bowls, toys, and appropriate chewing items. Consider using a crate for crate training and/or a playpen too as a safe retreat for your puppy when needed. This space will also help you with training many behaviors such as potty training, greeting when people come into your home and giving you a chance to take a break when you need to get something done.

 Stock Up on Supplies:

Gather all the essential supplies your puppy will need. To make it easier we have created a full shopping guide for you and have listed many of our favorite products below that we love and recommend regularly. To shop please click on the item of your choice to be redirected to our amazon list.

• Food and treats: Choose a high-quality puppy food recommended by your veterinarian or trainer.

• Food and water bowls: opt for sturdy, non-tip bowls that are easy to clean. Some dogs need elevated bowls due to their large size. Some dogs need slow feeders because they eat too fast. Find the best option for your pup below!

• Collar, leash, harness and ID tags: Ensure your puppy has proper identification at all times.

• Grooming supplies:

• Toys: Provide a variety of toys to keep your puppy entertained and mentally stimulated.

• Bedding: Only for puppies who do not chew or potty on beds.

• Training pads or outdoor potty supplies: Depending on your potty-training method.

• Healthcare and Hygiene items:

Schedule a Vet Visit:

Make an appointment with a veterinarian for a thorough health check-up and to discuss vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention and spaying or neutering options. Establishing a good relationship with a veterinarian early on is crucial for your puppy’s lifelong health and well-being.

These are some of the vet offices we work closely with and recommend by city:

Burnt Store Animal Hospital: Cape Coral

Kindness Animal Hospital: Cape Coral

Indian Creek Pet Hospital: Ft. Myers

Companion Pet Care: Ft. Myers

Town & Country Vet: Naples

Establish a Routine:

Please keep in mind puppies thrive on routine, so establish a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, training, and rest. This helps them feel secure and reduces anxiety. Be patient and consistent with training, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.

Socialization:

After your vet gives you the green light to socialize with your puppy it’s best to begin to expose them to different people, animals, environments, and experiences in a positive and controlled manner to help them develop into well-adjusted adults. Puppy socialization classes can be beneficial for this purpose, providing opportunities for safe interaction with other puppies and guidance from experienced trainers. We offer group puppy lessons at Touch of Class Grooming in Ft. Myers. In addition, once you’ve purchased any training from us you are eligible to participate in The Royal Court which are FREE group lessons that are open to all of our training clients to keep you current on socialization and skills.

Prepare for Training:

Training is more about educating you, the owner, than it is making the puppy learn commands. Be ready to invest time and effort into training your puppy to ensure they grow into a well-behaved and obedient companion. To help assist you in all your goals we offer two types of lessons. Groups and In-Home Private Lessons. Every home is different and so are the goals each owner has for their dog. Regardless of who you choose to help you train, be sure to be consistent, have as much patience as possible and have fun while training.

Be A Leader Your Puppy Can Count On:

Remember that bringing home a new puppy is a major life change for both you and your furry friend. Lead your puppy with patience, kindness, understanding, and love. The more consistent you are in your approach with training and care the more solid your pup will be in all situations. Building a strong bond with your puppy takes time and effort, but the love and companionship they bring into your life make it all worthwhile.

Get Established with a Certified Groomer:

Not all dogs can be washed in the tub or sink. Some breeds require topnotch care for their coats. This is another reason why we strongly encourage anyone who is ready for a new puppy to research the breeds prior to committing. Finding a certified groomer can be daunting task as many groomers are not required to take educational courses or hold certificates. The ones who do have gone out of their way to be the top in their field. A true professional groomer will know what a multi-layered coat needs, how to prevent matting, the best options to prevent skin conditions and so much more. We work closely with Touch of Class Pet Grooming at both of their locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers. They’re fully certified and even hold grooming classes to teach you how to best care for your new furry friend.

Prep The Right Way:

Preparing for a new puppy requires careful planning, patience, and dedication, but the rewards of a loving and loyal companion are immeasurable. By taking the time to puppy-proof your home, gather necessary supplies, establish routines, and prioritize training and socialization, you’ll set the stage for a fulfilling and harmonious relationship with your new furry friend. Enjoy the journey of puppy parenthood, and cherish every precious moment spent with your beloved companion.