Do You Have Everything You Need For That New Puppy?
Most people think buying a dog would be great, but have you really thought through what it would mean? Most dogs live for over 10 years, so you need to commit to look after then for that length of time if you get one. Plus you need to make sure you have everything you need to look after the puppy, before you bring it home, otherwise you could end up in a pickle.
The thing every puppy will need most of is food, that is an obvious thing to buy before you get them back as they are going to need lots of nutrients to grow properly. There are actually different types of food you can buy which are aimed specifically at puppies and say they contain the right nutrients to help them grow to be big and healthy, but I am not sure if they are any better than normal food or not.
You’ll also need some toys. You might not think they are important, but after a few hours you are going to be looking for a way to distract your hyperactive puppy so that you can get some peace and quiet! Get some toys that roll so your puppy will chase them and pounce on them, that will keep them active, and get some for them to chew on so they can get that out of their system on a toy rather than on your furniture!
Chewing can be a real problem, and their bed is usually the prime target for it, even though it is going to be their favorite place as they sleep so much after they have tired themselves out. One thing you could try to stop this happening is to buy one of the indestructible dog beds which is a lot more sturdy and will stop them either getting their teeth into anything they can grip, or just be tough enough to withstand the chewing, or you can get the trained out of the habit.
You will also need some grooming supplies to help keep them fit and healthy, like a dog brush and maybe a tooth brush for them too (brushing regularly will help their breath as well as keep their teeth healthy). Plus a book on puppy and adult dog care would be a great investment if you are new to dog ownership, so you can have some guidance on what you need to do and when.
The final, but probably most important thing to do, is to find a vet in your local area who you will take your dog too. Then once you have the puppy take it along for an examination and to find out what shots it need etc..
Filed under: Dog Training
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