Bringing Your New Puppy Home | Dr Paws Vet Kotara Newcaslte

Welcoming a new puppy into your family is an exciting and sometimes challenging period while your new puppy explores and adjusts to the new environment.

Being prepared and involving the whole family in early planning will certainly help make the experience more enjoyable.

Before bringing your puppy home, there are some essential items you will need.

Food and water bowls: Food and water bowls need to be size appropriate and durable.  Teething puppies love to chew! Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are great choices.

Puppy food: Choosing the best diet for your puppy is important to help ensure their healthy development. We recommend feeding a size-specific diet to suit the expected adult size of your puppy. Your puppy requires specific nutrients in specific quantities to reach their optimal size and maintain their health.

Collar with ID tag & lead: Ensuring your puppy has a collar and identification tag will help reunite you should your curious puppy wander off without you. Getting your puppy used to a collar and lead will be beneficial once you head to puppy training classes.

Toys: Choosing appropriate toys is fun and a great way to involve the whole family. Choose toys that are size-appropriate for your puppy. Avoid toys with small attachments that could be swallowed or pose a choking hazard. Rubber chew toys tend to be more durable and excellent for teething puppies.

Bed: Choose a bed that will suit your puppy as they grow into adults. The puppy’s bed is their safe, rest place so should be comfortable and located in a quiet area.

Brush/comb: Some dog breeds require regular grooming. Having a suitable brush or comb can help prepare your puppy for grooming and handling sessions.

Another important task is to puppy proof your home. Puppies are inherently curious and love to explore. It is important to ensure that your home is safe and secure (both inside and out). 

Inside the house

Make sure all cleaning products are out of puppy’s reach and food is safely stored away.  Electrical cords are often tempting items to chew on, so hide these away from curious puppy eyes. It is generally very good practice to put away anything you would rather your new puppy does not chew on (eg shoes, children’s toys, etc).

Outside the house

Storing all chemicals, including insecticides, herbicides, fertilisers as well as paints and solvents in a lockable area will help keep your new puppy safe. Your property should be secure with solid fencing that your puppy cannot dig under or climb over. Some plants can be toxic to puppies so please seek advice from your Veterinarian. And finally, ensure there are no hazardous areas that your puppy could injure itself on.

Other things to consider:

Choosing a Veterinary Clinic  

Your Veterinarian is an important part of your puppy’s life. They will help ensure that your puppy grows into a healthy adult and member of your family for years to come. It can be very beneficial to both you and your puppy to make a meet-and-greet appointment even if your puppy is not due for vaccination yet.

Remember to bring along any paperwork that your breeder or pet store might have provided.

Introducing your puppy to children

Children often don’t understand the need to be very careful with a puppy, so a responsible adult should always supervise. When you bring your puppy home, have the children sit down and let the puppy come to them.

Introducing your puppy to existing pets

Try to introduce the puppy on neutral territory, such as a park.  Make sure both dogs are on leads and permitted to sniff and investigate each other. Avoid scolding your older dog(s) if they do not react positively at first. Allow plenty of time for them to become accustomed to each other.

Animals have their own rules, and your older pet will certainly let your young puppy know what the rules are. Everyone must be allowed a territory where they are not disturbed. Cats, in particular, must be allowed to rest in peace and quiet out of the puppy’s reach and to get acquainted with their new housemate on their own terms.

For more information, please contact us at Dr Paws Kotara.

We are conveniently located opposite Westfield Kotara – the pawfect location for Newcastle pet parents living in Kotara, Kotara South, Adamstown, New Lambton, Charlestown and surrounding areas!