Bringing home a puppy can be a very confusing and flustered time for veteran dog owners as well as new dog owners, with so much to remember about raising a puppy for veterans and so much to learn for new dog owners it is helpful to keep a list close by of all the things you think you will need.

The thing to remember about puppies is that they are very much like babies, they will depend on you for everything including food, water, bathroom trips, education…you name it your new puppy is going to look to you for guidance. The process of raising a puppy can be frustrating, is always hard work but most of all it is an extremely rewarding experience.

The first thing you need to do after you have picked out your puppy is prepare for his homecoming by purchasing all of the things that your new family member is going to need, you can find a helpful list below:

A blanket or towel with his mother scent - if this is possible take one with you when you go to pick him up, this provides your puppy with a security blanket on his first few nights away from his mother.

A crate – I cannot emphasize the importance of crate training both for potty training and providing a safe place for your dog to retreat to. Crates should be just big enough for your dog to turn around in and no bigger!

A leash - to begin with I recommend non retractable leashes, you need to keep a tight reign on your new puppy and retractable leashes do not easily allow for this

A Collar – You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably in the collar while it is on, any more and it’s too loose any less and it is too tight.

Food – It is best to begin with whatever your puppy is currently eating and if you choose to switch foods to a different brand do it gradually, puppies have very sensitive tummies and a drastic change in diet can cause extreme tummy upsets which can quickly lead to dehydration in puppies! Stick with kibble and avoid wet food until your puppy is older as wet foods are often too rich for small tummies!

Food Bowls – Avoid plastic bowls and ceramic bowls as these contribute to canine acne and infection from bacteria that breed in the pores of plastic and ceramic bowls. Stick to stainless steel.

Toys – Toys are a must for growing puppies, they will be chewing a lot so it is helpful to get harder wearing toys like the Puppy Kong and other toys developed specifically for the puppy stages. Puppies also appreciate a few softer toys to snuggle against; however, as your dog ages you may find these shredded throughout the house.

Natures Miracle - This carpet cleaner comes highly recommended from all puppy veterans. It is inevitable that your new puppy with have potty accidents inside the house and Nature’s Miracle removes the urine scent so your puppy will not be attracted to urinating in the same place twice.

Granick’s Bitter Apple Spray – A lifesaver when it comes to teething, Granick’s is a harmless spray that you can spray on furniture within biting range to prevent your puppy from taking a bite out of it!

Puppy Toothbrush -  While you will do very little brushing during puppyhood you need to get your puppy used to the idea of having his teeth brushed at a young age to make it an easier task in older years.

Poop Bags – You can buy rolls of poop bags to clean up after your new puppy at any pet store or you can do as I do and just save your grocery bags!

A Brush – Get hold of a bristle brush from your local pet supply store, brushing once in a while will help to get your puppy used to the idea of being brushed so grooming will be a little easier once your puppy is all grown up! Do not try using a shedding blade on a puppy coat, there is no need for something so harsh on a puppy coat!

Treats – Avoid rich, high calorie treats; however, treats are going to be key in getting your new puppy to repeat positive actions. Remember dogs learn from positive reinforcement, instead of shouting at potty accidents, praise potty accomplishments! Most pet stores carry yogurt drops which are a great tool for training since they’re small and tasty, you can also try liver treats that are breakable. Treats should be used sparingly for all dogs but you can substitute praise for treats anytime, a good pat on the head and a “good boy” works miracles!

Find a local vet that you like! - After you have your puppy you don’t want to be spending time looking for a vet. You new puppy is going to need a vet visit ASAP once you bring him home so you’ll want a good vet picked out already. Before you get your puppy home do a little research, ask local dog owners who they use as their vet and what their opinion of them is. Asking other clients of a vet is a great way to find out how reliable, affordable and most importantly how good a particular vet is!

Find a puppy class! - If you are bringing home an 8 week old puppy you won’t be able to enroll in a class right away because your puppy needs to complete his shots first; however, you do want to do your research and find a trainer or puppy class that is going to suit you and your new puppy. There are a variety of different teaching methods out there and some methods just don’t suit some people, or their dogs for that matter! Find a method that works for you and remember that training is a very important factor in every dog’s life, a well trained dog is a pleasure to have around, an untrained dog is an unhappy dog who will never know what is expected of him nor how to please his “master.” Training classes are also a great way to socialize your new puppy with other people and dogs, this becomes an extremely important factor as your dog grows older, antisocial dogs and dogs with phobias of people or other dogs often face aggression problems as they grow older. The best place to begin is a puppy class where you can learn the basics as well as let your puppy interact with other smaller puppies. It is also helpful to follow up a puppy class with further classes whether it’s puppy first grade, canine good citizen training, or private training classes the more you teach your dog the easier it will be for the two of you to communicate. I, for example, sent Jet to a camp for training following his puppy classes (he was around 8 months at the time) because we were facing some training obstacles that we knew we could not handle alone and needed a strict teaching atmosphere to mold Jet in to a dog that was both happy and well behaved. Many people opt not to send their dog away for training; however, sometimes that is the best option for your dog when you are facing challenges you are not equip to handle.

Now you have a list to start work on before bringing your puppy home keep your eye out for future articles on adapting to puppy life!