Like preparing for a newborn, preparing for a new puppy can be stressful at times and may seem overwhelming. While there are many items to purchase and preparations to take to ensure you’re bringing this ball of fluff into a safe and loving environment, you can never be fully prepared for the change in lifestyle and routine. In honor of National Puppy Day, which is just around the corner on March 23, the team at Wags has prepared a handy-dandy checklist for you to reference before the big day!

Puppy Basics (A.K.A. Supplies!)

It seems like you can never have enough supplies for your new furry friend! Start with the essentials, such as a crate. A crate is crucial for your puppy in his first few years of life, as it gives him a safe place where he can stay while you’re away from home and a cozy place to sleep at night. Depending on the size of your new puppy, he will most likely outgrow most of your supplies, such as a dog bed, dog collar, and any cute dog clothing you purchase. It’s ok to purchase a dog bed that he will grow into, but always try to buy an appropriately sized collar so it doesn’t slip off in times of need!

Rules and Routine

Puppies, like newborns, are unpredictable and require a lot of attention during their first year of life. Rules and routines are exceptionally helpful to you and your puppy, so try to stick as close to a routine as possible. This will help your puppy develop good habits and stay out of trouble. Go ahead and set rules like “no dogs allowed on the furniture” and determine where your puppy will sleep each night. Set a time to feed your dog and try not to stray too far from this schedule. Your furry friend will learn to expect food during specific times of the day and will be better about eating all of his food at once.

Positive Reinforcement

At Wags ‘n Whiskers, we specialize in positive reinforcement training and encourage all pet owners to use this training technique for their furry friends, regardless of age or size. You can start training your puppy as early as seven weeks old! Puppies have a short attention span but can learn simple cues such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” Wags ‘n Whiskers offers a variety of training classes such as our “Yappy Hour” puppy class for dogs younger than eight months, which includes a tutorial on why we train, puppy maintenance and a thorough explanation of positive reinforcement training including sit, watch, down, stay, come, walking on a loose leash, meeting other dogs and more. Our beginner class is similar to our puppy class, but is perfect for dogs older than eight months.

Puppy Socialization

During puppyhood, puppies are susceptible to experiences that will mold their personality and confidence. It is important to socialize your adorable new four-legged family member as much as possible to teach them about meeting new people and new animals. The most critical learning time in a dog’s life is between three weeks old and 20 weeks. This is the best time to expose them to new sights, sounds, smells, creatures, people and experiences so they are not timid as they grow older. Puppies are always welcome at Camp Wags! Daycare is a perfect activity for your new puppy to enjoy a full schedule of play time and socialization.

We’re Here for You!

Don’t forget that the team at Wags ‘n Whiskers is here to help with any questions you may have about your new puppy. Don’t hesitate to call us at (205) 902.WAGS (9247) with any questions or concerns you may have with any of your four-legged family members!