Puppy Shopping List…Essential Items For New Puppy Parents!

**Here’s the latest cute idea…friends are giving puppy adopters a ‘New Puppy Shower’! ☂️☂️☂️What fun with really cute gifts!          

  Here are suggestions for you even if you don’t receive a shower….

1. Wire Crate– small size, 13″ wide by 16″ tall and 22″ long. A divider or cardboard box is needed to make a smaller area of only about 10” for your puppy…if puppy has the whole wire crate, it will consider the back end as a personal potty area! An old towel is fine for the puppy to sleep on now because puppy will chew it and it needs washing often.  As puppy matures, is not chewing and is housebroken, crate is optional.

**A smaller crate is better even for an adult dog. Puppies/Dogs that can walk around in a large crate become more anxious…A larger crate becomes a cage and a small crate is a bed! Much better that your puppy/dog just sleeps in its crate. Crates can be found at Pet Stores and online.

1a. ***A Snuggle Puppy(a soft toy puppy with a battery driven beating heart Really CALMS your new puppy! …both found on line and pet stores. Great for puppy to SLEEP thru’ the night!!! STRONGLY Recommend!!!

2. Puppy Pen or Gates-If you need to leave your young puppy for longer than 2 hours during the day, puppy will need a bathroom spot…but you don’t want puppy to begin to potty in its crate. Consider indoor puppy pen/gates. Amazon and pet stores  have plastic or wire, 3′ tall puppy pens/gates.  Put down a waterproof tarp or shower curtain on the floor first to protect floor, then puppy pads.  Try this set up first with the puppy to see how it works before you leave the puppy alone. **It is still much, much better to have someone come in to walk your puppy, and comfort it rather than leaving puppy alone for long periods during the day while the puppy is young.** **Crates are still better for safety of the puppy unless the puppy will be alone for longer than 2 hours during the day without a bathroom break/walk.**

3. Collar/Halter/Leash  Collar approx. 6”. A cat collar usually fits, and they often have a bell so you know where your little puppy is! Puppy will soon outgrow first collars, halters.

4. Food– Purina Pro Plan Puppy Toy Breed Chicken and Rice Formula (dry, not canned) is what I am now using…Found on Amazon/Chewy/Pet Stores. The kibbles are smaller in Toy Food. Please do not use grain free foods. If needed, I can send your puppy home with a few days of puppy food.

5. Tooth brushing– it is best to introduce your puppy to tooth brushing while young..at least once a week or oftener. The brushes that fit over your finger work well and there are several flavors of toothpaste…even peanut butter.

6. Toys- your puppy  never has enough toys including nyla chew bones with nubs to clean teeth. I do send your puppy home with a toy and swaddling blanket with siblings scent for comfort.

7. Water  I have well water. If your water is town/city chlorinated, it is best if you buy a bottle of bottled water and mix with your home water for two days so there isn’t an abrupt change that can cause puppy tummy upset. Tip: Puppies LOVE to play with empty water bottles…remove label and screw top. They love the crackle sound!!!

8. Pet bells-to hang on the door handle. Tip: Great for teaching puppy to notify you when puppy needs to go outside! They learn to ring the bells fast! Found on Etsy and eBay and pet stores.

9. Sweater/Coat– During cold/wet weather a sweater or coat should be used. Young puppies are chilled easily….besides they look adorable on puppies! Tip look for easy velcro fasteners! Be aware of hot street surfaces in Summer!

10. Zero Odor spray –breaks down and destroys odors indoors from urine and feces so puppy won’t go back to the same spot on the floor…found at Bed, Bath &Beyond or ordered online.

11.**Puppy Class** 🐶🐶 I STRONGLY recommend a ‘Puppy Class‘ for your puppy and you! It will be the best 6 weeks for you and your puppy! A puppy/dog that has learned basic manners/obedience will be a joy to be .. . Spoiled behavior in puppies is cute… Not as an adult dog!! Tip:It is also very important to continue socialization with your puppy with other friendly dogs,(not dog parks) friendly people, new sounds and new areas!!! A poorly socialized dog will act agressively but really is just afraid of new things because of your poor socialization. Don’t  keep your puppy/dog just in your home and yard.

12. Vaccinations  make an appointment for your puppy now to receive a check up and/or its second  vaccination at about 4 weeks after the first vaccination which the Vet does here at 6/7 weeks. (Vets are now very busy and difficult to set an appt) There is a series of 3 vaccinations needed in your puppy’s first year. I recommend to hold your puppy off the floor in the Veterinarian’s waiting room to avoid disease. I do send your puppy home with it’s health records from our Vet and a signed health contract. Remember to NOT take young puppy to dog park, sport fields or ‘dog walk’ at rest stops until puppy has all 3 vaccinations!! Avoid disease!

13. Bone strength   It is important to Not allow your young puppy to jump down from a couch, chair, your arms etc., until they are older because your puppy can easily injure their joints(elbows) which will cause lifelong pain, increased arthritis or even an expensive operation. Young Puppies are tender little things. Remember, a tired puppy from play/walks is a good puppy!

14. Puppy Pick Up-Please schedule a day and time on your puppy pick up weekend-Thursday thru Sunday. Many pick up their puppy on Thursday/Friday so they have the weekend with their puppy.  Please be on time for your puppy pick up! I need to put the Mom and other dogs outside, the puppies schedule must be modified to fit your pick up time and all is sent into chaos when adopters arrive late! Thank you!!

           🐶🐶   You will have such fun with your new puppy!