Preparing to add a puppy to your family can be quite a task. You’ll need to make several changes around your home to ensure it’s puppy-ready.
Use this brief puppy preparation guide to get ready.
Puppy crate
A crate or playpen can be an invaluable tool for your puppy. It provides a safe, secure area when you cannot offer constant supervision. Many find success with a metal wire crate that is easy to clean and includes an adjustable divider to grow with your puppy.
Crate training aids in potty training promotes nap time (puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep daily) and helps develop good habits like settling down.
Select a quiet location away from family activities to create an ideal sleeping environment.
Enhance the cozy, den-like feel with a crate cover, a soft blanket, and a puppy heartbeat toy. The toy features a powered heartbeat mechanism and space for a heating pad to simulate a sleeping littermate.
Documentation and health
Whether adopting a breed like the Bernedoodle from a shelter or purchasing from a breeder, you should receive documentation of their medical history. This information may include congenital issues, vaccinations, parasite treatments, and general veterinary exams.
Typically, most Bernedoodle puppies won’t have their first veterinary exam until six to eight weeks of age. Regardless of your puppy’s age, schedule an exam to ensure their health record begins immediately.
Puppy toys
Play is a vital part of a dog’s daily routine, and toys provide excellent outlets for excess energy while satisfying the primal hunting and chewing instincts inherent in your puppy’s DNA. It’s recommended to purchase around 10 different toys for the first week.
Opt for various toys such as plush-stuffed toys, squeaky toys, non-toxic teething chews, tug toys, rubber balls, and more.
A newer addition to the market is the flirt pole, a tug-and-chase toy with a toy attached to the end of a rope. This toy allows you to engage with your puppy while keeping those sharp teeth safely away from human skin.
Find a veterinarian and a trainer
Find a vet before bringing your puppy home. In some areas, veterinarian offices can wait several months for an appointment. Take your puppy to its first vet visit within the first week.
Your puppy will likely need standard immunizations. Even if it has received all its shots, a vet visit is important to assess its overall health and check for common ailments such as intestinal parasites or kennel cough.
Early detection will enable prompt treatment if needed.
You should book a veterinarian appointment as soon as you decide to get a dog. This ensures you secure an appointment slot in advance.
Home puppy preparation
Puppies are notorious for gnawing on personal belongings, particularly during their teething phase. Items like shoes are often targets, so store anything you don’t want covered in dog saliva or marked with teeth in a secure, hard-to-reach location.
Dog gates can be very useful for this purpose. They allow you to keep certain areas of the house off-limits to your puppy and safeguard your pet and possessions.
Ensure the gated area is lively and engaging to prevent your dog from feeling isolated or lonely. Additionally, having dog toys available will help keep your pup entertained when family members cannot play with them.
Final thoughts on puppy preparation
Bringing a new puppy home is an incredibly exciting event.
Your puppy will provide you with love and companionship for years, so using a puppy preparation guide to get ready is essential for ensuring its great start.