5 Things You Need For A New Puppy

For a dog lover there are few things more exciting than getting a new puppy. Whether you're adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or getting a puppy from a breeder, bringing home a new "bundle of joy" is a happy day. But before you bring home your new puppy you need to plan ahead. Here are some supplies you need for a new puppy to make his homecoming go smoothly.
1. At the top of the list of supplies you need for a new puppy is your puppy's food. Puppies have a relatively delicate digestive system and it can easily be upset by switching their food suddenly. No matter where you're obtaining your puppy, make sure that you talk to whoever has been feeding him or her and find out what your puppy has been eating. In almost all cases it's best to stick with this diet for the first few days while your puppy is adjusting to your home. There will be enough excitement in your puppy's life during these days without changing his food, too. If your puppy has been growing and doing well on the food he's eating then you will probably want to stay with it. On the other hand, if your puppy has been experiencing any problems with the food - diarrhea, poor coat, not thriving - you will need to change the food slowly. Talk to your vet or experienced dog people about good foods for puppies.
2. Bowls, dishes, pans. Your new puppy will, of course, need some dish ware for his meals and a bowl for his water. Stainless steel pans are a good choice. They are easy to clean. They do have the drawback of clanging and moving around easily unless you buy bowls that are weighted on the bottom to prevent them from moving. Ceramic dishes are also a good choice. Make sure that you choose ceramic dishes that are dishwasher-safe if you have a dishwasher. You should steer clear of plastic bowls. Many dogs have a slight allergic reaction to the plastic in the bowls which can lead to bumps and pimples on their muzzles. The plastic in the bowls can also lead to "snow nose" or make your dog's nose pink instead of dark.
When choosing bowls for your dog it's best to choose a size that's appropriate to your dog's size. If you choose an extremely large bowl for your dog you may be more tempted to overfill it with food which can lead to your dog becoming overweight. If your dog has long ears you may want to get a deep bowl with a small opening at the top so your dog can't get his ears in the food.
Keep your dog's water dish filled at all times and clean it regularly. Dogs don't like dirty water any more than people do. If you have multiple dogs you may want to consider getting a small bucket for their water so you can keep it filled more easily.
3. Collar and leash. Even a young puppy will need a collar and leash. There are many different kinds of collars from which to choose but some of them are intended for training and not for everyday use. Do not allow your puppy to wear a choke chain or slip collar as his normal collar. These are training collars and some dogs - especially young puppies - can get them caught on things and choke themselves. A flat buckle collar is an appropriate collar for a young puppy. You can also use this kind of collar when you take your puppy to the vet or for walks. Nylon or leather are both fine for this kind of collar but you should remember that you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on a collar for a young puppy since you'll be replacing this collar a couple of times before your puppy is an adult dog. You can get a leash to match the collar. A six-foot leash is a good normal length for walking your dog but you will usually keep your puppy much closer to you and not let him use the full length of the leash.
When fitting your puppy's collar it should fit around his neck and you should be able to slip two fingers between the collar and your puppy's neck. Otherwise the collar is too tight. A collar that is too loose is also dangerous since your puppy can slip out of it and get loose when you're walking him.
4. Toys and chewies. Every puppy needs toys and safe things to chew on. These are not simply luxury items for your puppy! If you don't provide your puppy with toys and chewies he will absolutely begin to chew on your belongings. Give your puppy his own toys and chew things and he will be far less likely to chew on inappropriate things like your shoes, furniture and TV remotes. Give him a good selection of toys and chews. There are many great toys for dogs these days from simple stuffies to interactive toys. Chews come in all flavors and in different types: rope toys, rawhides, Nylabones, Kongs which can be stuffed with treats, and so on. Give your puppy things so he can entertain himself and he will be much kinder and gentler with your possessions.
5. Bed. Your puppy will also need a place to sleep. Even if you allow your puppy to sleep on your own bed it's also a good idea for your puppy to have his own spot. Your puppy needs a place to go where he can get away from everything. When the house gets hectic and he wants to retreat, your puppy needs a quiet place to nap. Consider getting a crate for your puppy. Crate training your puppy is always a good idea. It can help with housetraining, with transporting your puppy in your vehicle, and if your puppy ever needs to fly on a plane.
These are the basic supplies you need for a new puppy. You can have all of these supplies in place before you bring your puppy home. If you prepare for your new puppy in advance it will be that much easier for you to help him adapt to his new home.