Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting experience. It’s the start of a journey that will change your life. However, being a new puppy parent can be incredibly stressful. Whether you’re introducing them as a new member of the family or it’s just going to be the two of you, it’s important to be as prepared as possible.
Puppies, like kids, are a lot of work. Preparing yourself ahead of time will set you both up for success when it comes to bonding right away and making training easier.
Will planning and preparing take away all of the stress? Maybe not. But, it will make the experience much more enjoyable and will allow you to spend more time loving and playing with your four-legged furball than worrying about everything from their safety to the well-being of your furniture and floors.
With that in mind, let’s cover a few helpful preparation tips for bringing a new puppy home.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Before you pick up your dog for the first time, one of the best things you can do is to make sure your home is puppy-proof.
When people have babies and toddlers at home, they do things like install gates in front of stairs or put locks on cupboards. While you might not need to do those things for a puppy, the idea is the same – keeping them and your home safe and secure.
Some of the easiest ways to make sure your home is puppy-proof are:
- Cleaning up clutter and removing things from the floor
- Removing hanging objects
- Hiding and storing away all harmful substances
- Keeping poisonous plants away
- Having a secure fence in the backyard
It’s important that your dog has space to explore and learn about their new surroundings. Like kids, they’re going to be curious! Anticipating what they might see and try to get into ahead of time will make it easier to determine how you should clean up and keep things safely stored.
Unfortunately, accidents happen. If your pup does get into something they shouldn’t, or they take a tumble over an object and get hurt, you might be dealing with some unexpected vet visits. It can be a good idea to invest in pet insurance, especially when your dog is young. It could save you money in the long run, and you’ll know your dog will get any medical attention they need quickly.
Think About Your Lifestyle
Consider your lifestyle when bringing a new puppy into the house. Do you work from home? Or, do you head into an office for over eight hours a day? Are you able to give your furry friend the exercise they need? What will they do when you’re not home?
Puppies all have different needs, but your goal should be to figure out how they can meld with your lifestyle.
If you’re home most of the day, for example, you might consider setting up a corner of your home office or living room solely for your dog. It could include things like:
- A comfortable bed
- Blankets
- Their favorite toy(s)
- Food and water dishes
Having their own space will keep them safe and occupied if you’re working or need to get things done.
If you’re gone during the day, consider crate training. Dogs are den animals, and knowing they have a secure place to go will actually help with things like separation anxiety. It can also give them a “break” if the household is too chaotic. Keeping them in a crate when you’re gone is a great way to help them feel safe while ensuring they don’t destroy anything in the house.
Whether you crate train or not, your pup will need to spend some time outside. If you’re not able to make it home during the day, it may be worth it to hire a dog walker or someone who can play with your dog for an hour or so each day. That can be especially helpful if your puppy isn’t housebroken and is still learning that they need to go potty outside.
Prepare your Family
If you live with family or roommates, everyone in the house needs to be on the same page about what to expect and how to behave around a new pup. If you have kids, teaching them about boundaries and how to handle and play with the puppy is crucial. Set rules for them ahead of time that will keep them safe and make it easier to train your dog faster.
It’s also important to make sure everyone understands their individual responsibilities. If you’ve agreed to bring a puppy into the house, you can’t be the only one caring for it. Consider creating a list of “jobs” for everyone, including walking the dog, feeding, playing, bathing etc.
Remember, your new puppy will change as it gets older. If your kids or other family members are interested in the cuteness of a pup but aren’t willing to take on a dog through all of its stages of life, it might be a good idea to hold off for now.
But, if everyone is ready to do their part and give a lot of time, attention, and love to a new furry family member, these preparation tips can make it easier, so you can enjoy every fun and playful moment with your puppy.
