Puppies are beloved by everybody, and everyone wants to own them. They are cute, adorable, and loved furry friends you want to spend all your time with. Most people aren’t ready for a pet, but their impulse decisions end in getting a puppy. It’s the irresistible cute puppy face that draws everyone to take them home with you. Before bringing a puppy home you should have some initial essential accessories with you.

But are you really ready to bring a puppy home?

There are various factors to consider before bringing a puppy home, such as a safe puppy house, a healthy diet, and more. Getting a canine home is an exciting and joyful moment, but your pup will need immense love, care, and attention as they transition into their new home. If you are a first-time pet owner, you are unaware and unprepared for many things needed for the perfect growth of your pet.

Dogs are furry friends that are both loyal and fun, but owning one can also be costly and time-consuming. So, before picking up a dog for yourself from a puppy store near me, make some necessary arrangements, conduct research, get educated for your family member, and how to raise it well.

Here are the 10 must-know things before bringing a puppy home:

1. Dogs are a huge commitment

Dogs are a commitment for a lifetime, and they develop deep bonds with their owners. Any transition in ownership can turn out traumatic. Nurturing a puppy requires a high level of care and love. They need to be fed premium pet food 3-4 times a day and must be taken out for a walk immediately to eliminate and become house-trained.

A young puppy is like a kid, so be ready to lose your sleep for a few months now as at times they can get bore or want to go out at night. Moreover, puppies don’t understand what is precious to you- they might explore on their own, chew your items, or eat things in their vicinity. It is necessary to keep your pup in a crate when home alone. 

2. Owning a dog is expensive

Most people think that petting a dog will only take some extra bucks- however, it is not true. Owning a dog involves a considerable financial commitment, and you must have funds to take care of your canine from pup to a full-grown dog. The average care for one dog, including food, supplies, and essential vet visits, averages $1400- $4300 per annum. On the other hand, the emergency care average can be from $250- $5k.

Financially stepping up for your dog makes you a responsible pet owner. The best approach is to keep aside some extra money in savings. Understand what is best for your pet, and with proper planning, you can provide your dog a long and happy life together. 

3. Search The Right Veterinarian

Within a few days of his arrival, set up an appointment with your veterinarian. Finding the right veterinarian can take days, but you can always find the right one for your puppy with proper search and interviews. Conduct a search online, check reviews, or ask your friends for recommendations- focus on finding an office with a good reputation and affordable prices.

The right vet will not only examine your pup’s good health or behavior but will also discuss the needful vaccination. On your first visit, carry the paperwork provided by the adoption group or the breeder. Puppies vaccination begins after six weeks of age and requires a booster within a year.

4. Make Your Home Puppy-proof

Before bringing your puppy home, it’s essential to prepare your home. It is among the significant steps necessary to ensure the safety of your new pet. Dogs can always find themselves in situations because of their curious and destructive nature. They can get hurt as they sniff, walk, run, lick, and more.

For best practices, get down to a puppy eye-level and look for hazards. Look out for sharp edges of the cabinets, countertops, small toys, electric cords, or curtain cords as starters. If you own elegant furniture, a cover will be a good fit to protect it. Use a trash can with a tracking lid, keep the houseplants, shoes, and laundry out of reach of your new furry friend.

5. Choose Breed Appropriate Food

Every dog is different- some are good at eating while others might behave differently on the same. It is necessary to watch and observe your pup’s eating habits- see its favorites and what’s healthy for your pet. Most people choose premium pet food for their dogs, but you must always consult your veterinarian for a healthy diet for sustainable growth.

From your pet’s initial phases to turning old, the diet must be guided, considering the pet’s specific needs, lifestyle, and stages of development. The cost of their food doesn’t influence dogs- they do not understand the standard, premium, or ultra-premium food, thus choose appropriate breed food and not what looks good on the cover.

6. Training Is Important

Training is a big part of your puppy’s mental and physical health growth. Start the basic in-house training and begin socializing your family members with the pet. The earlier you start, the better it becomes. You can start obedience training and start with basic commands- always start small. 

Sign up for training classes as it will ensure faster learning and socialization. Finding time among your busy schedule is necessary; your dog needs you, especially at this tender stage—play in-house games for bonding with your furry friend. If there are other pets, make sure your new members start interacting with the sibling in his training period.

7. Buy Pet Toys, Treats & Supplies In Advance

Right after you decide on bringing your new puppy home, buy dog supplies in advance. You can buy the best pet toys in Australia or purchase stylish dog accessories online. Buy the right treats as they act as the best tools when it comes to behavioral training. About toys, you should choose that is free of buttons or strings. Go for rubber balls specially made for dogs, nylon bones, non-toxic material dog collars, and harnesses Australia, or go online for safe accessories.

Start with the essentials first, and then ask your trainer and vet what are the requirements needed later: 

• Basic leash for training [increase the length when you begin training]
• Adjustable collar for comfort with ID tags
• Avoid plastic bowls 
• Puppy food
• Dog crate with flexible room segment
• Dog bed
• Grooming mitt for your puppy’s coat

8. Set Up For A Routine

Routine plays a crucial role in training and reassures the dog about his schedule. Suppose more than one person is interacting with your dog, set up a plan for everyone. This way, your puppy will be able to socialize with them—structure all the activities like who is responsible for taking the puppy on the walk or feeding.

If there are other pets in the home, make sure that your new member socializes with them well and is well-supervised timely. Set up the feeding times as new puppies need to be taken outside for a walk 3-4 times a day for proper elimination.

9. Get A Dog License

You must get a dog license for your newly-adopted dog as it’s a legal document that makes you the new caretaker. A dog license identifying number is issued to the owner, along with a dog tag. The dog tag will help identify the dog and will be returned to you if it ever gets lost. 

For better tracking, you can buy a GPS-enabled Dog collar from the best pet store in Australia. You can get your dog microchipped for best identification but always keep the contact information updated. Check with your local care offices and control to find the process of getting your dog licensed.

10.  Be Social

Socializing your dog with various people and environments helps him become a more stable, happy, and confident animal. Let him experience sights, sounds, people, and pets that are new to him. Use a short leash, use different routes for your furry friend to experience a variety of sights.

Conclusion

The first few months with your new pet can both be fun and dreadful. However, dogs are man’s faithful companions, but before bringing a puppy home, talk to your family and discuss the addition of the new member. Follow the above checklist, prepare yourself in advance, and research dogs and cats online to get more insights into raising a healthy puppy. Puppies are the cutest and playful companions you’ll ever meet, so stay excited for your new member of your family.