Ideally, you should always adopt a young dog or puppy from a shelter or rescue center, and in no circumstances should you ever purchase a dog from a puppy farmer or unethical breeder.
If you have decided to get your puppy from a private breeder, always ensure to complete extensive background checks on the individual and make sure to meet the mum and, ideally, dad of the puppy you are intending on bringing home.
Once you have organized the arrival date of your puppy and planned for their initial vaccinations, there are several important things to do to prepare your home for their arrival.
Register with a Local Vet
One of the most important things to do as soon as you have arranged the arrival of your new puppy is to register them with an established and reputable local vet, such as a pet vet Cumming GA, who will be able to guide you through what medications to have on standby at your home, regularly assess and conduct health checks, and, crucially, be the place to take your puppy if they are showing signs of illness.
Go Shopping!
Another incredibly important act of preparation is to invest in quality accessories and necessary supplies so that you have everything you need ready and in place in your home before you bring your new puppy home.
Such items include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pet carrier or crate
- Dog-specific fur shampoo
- Puppy pads
- Collar
- Chew toys safe for puppies
- Pet barriers or baby gates
- Water and food bowls
- Leash
- Dog brush
- Puppy pads
Ensure You Have Time!
Puppies and adult dogs alike both want and need to spend as much time in your company as possible, and when bringing a new puppy home, this becomes even more crucial and even mandatory.
For the first few weeks, it is essential that you have either booked time off work or have been able to switch your job to one that can be temporarily completed from home to ensure your puppy adapts to its new environment as quickly and as happily as possible.
Puppy Proof the Entirety of Your Home
One of, if not the, most essential preparative techniques you must ensure you spend copious amounts of time completing is that of puppy proofing the entirety of your home.
Puppies are naturally incredibly playful and curious and will explore every inch of each of your interior living spaces. Therefore, it is important to methodically go through each and every room to remove anything that can be dangerous to a young puppy.
The main aspects of puppy proofing a house include the following:
- Ensuring all toilet lids remain closed at all times
- Covering each electrical socket with child plug protectors
- Placing all electrical devices and cables out of possible reach
- Removing all chemicals and cleaning products
- Closing all doors and external windows
- Blocking up any gaps in the walls
- Placing a fireguard around the fireplace