How to prepare for a puppy

Getting a puppy can be a hugely exciting time. Not only are puppies extremely adorable and offer unconditional love and cuddles but you can look forward to them becoming an important part of your family over the years. However, it’s important to know that there are plenty of challenges when getting a puppy, from training them to go to the toilet outside to stopping them from biting and chewing your belongings. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for a puppy. 

Puppy-proof your homePuppy Boarding Rotherham

The first step is to prepare your home for your puppy. Look at it through their eyes and begin puppy-proofing your property. Puppies can find apparently benign things incredibly exciting, which can lead to accidents if you’re not fully prepared. Some of our top tips for preparing your home for a puppy include:

  • Unplug electrical cords or move them out of reach.
  • Keep any cleaning products out of reach, ideally in high cupboards or secured behind doors fitted with childproof latches. When the time comes to use them, put your puppy in another room. This ensures that they won’t be affected by the chemical vapours. 
  • Make sure your puppy can’t access medication. Pill bottles and dispensers should be kept in high cupboards rather than on low tables or nightstands.
  • Close toilet lids. An open toilet bowl can be a fascination for puppies, however, they could drink out of it or even fall in.  
  • Keep doors and windows shut. Your puppy could fall out or escape if they’re left open. We also recommend securing any blind cords that could present a choking hazard. 
  • Put away small items. Coins, jewellery, paper clips and other small items can cause your puppy to choke if they swallow them. 
  • Put away sharp objects. Items such as knives, razors, scissors and other tools can be very dangerous if your puppy is able to access them.  
  • Secure rubbish bins. Since puppies are attracted to smells that come from rubbish, it’s important to keep your bins closed and secure. Consuming rubbish can cause stomach upset or even worse.
  • Move poisonous plants. Some houseplants can harm your puppy if they ingest them. Whilst some effects can be mild, in some cases they could prove fatal. 

Hit the shops 

As you can imagine, there are a whole host of things you could buy for your new puppy to help them settle into your home. The items below can help to keep them healthy and happy:

  • Food bowl
  • Water bowl
  • Bed 
  • Lead/collar/harness
  • Crate (not a necessity but great for training)
  • Grooming tools 
  • Toys
  • Puppy pads
  • Poo bags
  • Car restraint 

Making sure you have all you need in time for your puppy’s arrival at your home can make you feel much more prepared and make sure the event goes smoothly and with as little stress as possible. There are many places from which you can buy pet supplies. However, we recommend visiting your local specialist pet store to benefit from their knowledge and passion for all things pets.

Register with a reputable vet 

Don’t forget to register your new puppy with a reputable local vet, ideally before they even come home. A vet will be able to offer all sorts of advice, including when to book your pup in for their vaccines and what to do if they become unwell. They can also microchip them – something which is now a legal requirement for all dogs over eight weeks old. Keep in mind that your puppy will need a full course of vaccines to help prevent them from catching infectious diseases. If you’re not sure which vets to choose, try asking around your friends and family for recommendations. 

Puppy Boarding KennelsArrange pet insurance 

When people ask us how to prepare for a puppy, we always mention getting pet insurance. Arranging pet insurance might not be the most exciting part of getting a puppy, however, it’s definitely important. As your pup’s owner, it’s your responsibility to pay for their trips to the vet, whether it’s a routine check-up or a big operation. With this in mind, it makes sense to ensure you have a comprehensive insurance policy in place. There are various types and levels of pet insurance to choose from, which means it’s likely that your needs and budget can be catered to. Before you take out a policy, it’s a good idea to make sure that your chosen vets will accept payment from your insurer. 

Find dog boarding facilities 

Knowing how to prepare for a puppy is the key to ensuring their transition into your family is a smooth one. One way you can do this is to find decent dog boarding facilities near you. This will ensure that if you do need to go away for any reason, you have someone to care for them. If you require dog boarding in Sheffield for your new fur baby, look no further than Jaycliffe Pets. We’re one of the leading kennels in the area, providing boarding facilities for dogs of all ages and breeds. 

Putting your puppy into kennels for the first time can be daunting, especially if they’re still very young. However, you can rest assured that they’ll receive the highest level of care, with our team doing all they can to help your pup relax (and have fun!) whilst in our kennels. At Jaycliffe, we genuinely love what we do, and this shows in the high level of service we consistently provide. 

 Contact us

If you require dog boarding in Sheffield or the surrounding areas, get in touch. We’re on hand to tell you more about our fantastic boarding facilities. Call us on 01709 645 046 to talk to our friendly team or send us a message through the website and we will get back to you right away.