New Puppy Checklist

Before you commit to getting a puppy it is important you fully understand what is involved and how they will fit into your life.

Getting a dog is a lifetime commitment so taking time at this point to understand the pros and cons will help you make the right choices.

• Cost of Getting A Puppy – Can you afford all the costs that costs that come with a puppy? From the day you go to pick up your pup there will be a lot of essential items you will need to buy to settle them into your home. There are also vet costs for check ups, and vaccinations as well as ongoing lifetime costs. All these things add up.
• Is A Puppy Good For Your Family? – Does everyone in the family want a puppy? Puppies require commitment from everyone in the home to keep them healthy and happy. Will everyone help with the day to day tasks such as feeding, walking, grooming your new dog? Are they all willing to help with puppy training?
• Preparing Your Home For A New Pup – Do you have enough space for a growing dog? Is your garden secure so they can explore and play without the fear of them going missing? Do they have a safe space in the house to sleep and relax? Do you need to puppy proof your home? Things like electrical wires are exciting new toys for puppies to chew so making sure they can be left alone and be safe is a must. 
• Does A Dog Fit Your Lifestyle? – Do you have time to fit a puppy into your day to day life? When they are young, dogs need a lot of attention and will not cope well with being left alone for long periods of time. If you work full time you may need to consider spending more time working from home. Alternatively you could send your pup to a puppy preschool where they can help look after your dog in these early stages.
• What Dog Breed To Choose? – What breed best suits you? Are you looking for a small lap dog like a pug or do you want something bigger like a labrador? Do you want an active dog to share long walks with or a breed that prefers to sleep all day? Consider how much different dog breeds shed, how easy they are to train, how much socialisation they need and if they are prone to certain medical conditions.

So, you have decided you are getting a puppy. Now it’s time to go shopping! There are many puppy essentials you will need to help your new family member settle in.

Our Pre Puppy checklist contains all the essential items you will need to buy before you pick up your pup.

• Puppy Car Seat / Harness
• Adjustable Collar
• Lead
• ID Tag
• Food & Water Bowl 
• Complete Puppy Food
• Dog Bed
• Puppy Pads
• Puppy Toys

Puppy Car Seat / Harness – A puppy car seat or harness will allow you to attach your pup with a seatbelt to prevent them moving around the car. Keeping you and them safe on the journey home.

Adjustable Collar – Puppy’s grow daily so an adjustable collar is essential so that you can easily adjust as they get bigger.

Lead – Getting your dog used to a lead from day one is best. It’s an essential piece of kit especially when your pup is untrained. Retractable leads are ideal at this early stage as it lets them explore outdoors while still staying safe and within your reach.

ID Tag – Required by law, ID tags will be attached to your dog’s collar with its name on it and your contact details. ID tags are important as they help others get in touch with you if your puppy ever decides to wander off.

Food & Water Bowls – Food and water bowls come in plastic, ceramic and stainless steel. The type and style you choose will depend on the breed of pup you are welcoming. Bigger pups need bigger bowls. A separate bowl is needed for their food and water.

Complete Puppy Food – A high quality complete puppy food is needed to give your dog the best start in life. Puppy food is needed for dogs up until 12 months old to help give them all the nutrients they need to become a happy, healthy dog.

Dog Bed – Puppies need lots of sleep in the early years so buying a comfy dog bed for them to use is ideal. Whether you place it on the floor or in a dog crate, a bed will help provide extra layers of comfort and support for their growing bodies.

Puppy Pads – Puppy Pads are essential when toilet training. Puppies will have accidents as they learn the rules of the house but with super absorbent puppy pads you can keep the mess to a minimum.

Puppy Toys – Puppies love to play so having a variety of toys on offer is a great way to keep them mentally and physically entertained. Enrichment toys and activities are key for all dogs.

As well as your puppy essentials, there are also a variety of other products you may want to consider purchasing to help keep your new dog safe, happy, healthy and entertained. 

• Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
• Puppy shampoo
• Flea & Worm Treatment
• Carpet cleaner
• Poo bags
• Brush
• Grooming wipes
• Chew toys
• Dog balls
• Puppy pen
• Dog crate
• Baby gate
• Dog training treats
• Dog blanket

Puppy training should start from day one. Most dogs from 12 weeks old will start understanding the rules of the house and with help will be on the way to be toilet trained and know where to sleep and what they can play with.

To help you on your journey Bruce’s expert dog coaches offer a 4 week training course. This focuses on developing your pup into a happy, confident little dog who understands what’s required of them. Training courses are held at regular times through the year at many of our doggy day care centres.

Book today!

You will want to get your new furry friend seen by a vet to do a health check and discuss microchipping, vaccinations and neutering.

By researching and choosing a vet early on will make this process simple. Below are 5 things to consider when choosing a vet:

• Distance – In emergency cases it is always good to be close to you vet practice
• Opening Hours – Consider your working hours and if they are open at suitable times for you.
• Prices – Vet pricing varies depending on areas so ensure you are aware of their pricing structure.
• Specialist Vets – Do they specialise in particular animals? Can they do more in depth treatments on site?
• Extra Services – Some vets also offer training and grooming so it is worth while asking.

Personal recommendation is also a great way of choosing a vet as this will give you confidence your new puppy will be taken care of.

Purchasing pet insurance will help cover veterinary treatment and medical expenses if your pup gets injured or becomes ill. Having this in place will mean you will always be able to get medical help for your dog in any circumstances.

Depending on the policy you take out it can also help with dental treatment costs, loss of a pet if it gets stolen as well as third party damage that your pet may have caused. Make sure you do your research to make sure you choose the best policy for you.

With 12 years of experience under our collars, Bruce’s continue to strive to learn about dogs and what makes them happy.

We have a variety of puppy services on offer to help your and your puppy through their first few months. As well as a premium puppy day care, we offer a variety of dog training courses and can introduce your puppy to dog grooming too.

Contact us today to learn more.