Puppies bring a lot of love and happiness to a home, but they also bring a lot of extra responsibilities. There is training, feeding, and general care to think about. However, the first thing you’ll want to tackle is what to bring home with your new puppy.
Puppies don’t need much: food, water, a place to sleep, and lots of love. In addition to those things, there are some extras you’ll want to consider to make your pup’s new life a bit more safe and enjoyable. Here’s a list that can help you know where to start when bringing home your new puppy supplies.
Collar
You will need multiple collars over the lifespan of your dog. Depending on the breed of dog that you have, you will need to buy something suitable. Bigger breeds like rottweilers and great danes will need collars that have some growth room, or you will be buying them almost weekly for around 2 years. It should have a sturdy clip, and you should be able to slip two fingers in between your dog’s neck and the collar. You should also add an ID tag so that if anything happens your dog can be returned to you safely.
Harness
For stronger or more excitable breeds, a harness is a must. It helps spread the weight of the dog, and gives them less ‘pull’. A harness also ensure that when your dog does pull on the leash, he won’t be choked. You can also get tags to put on the harness to let people know that your dog needs space, or isn’t friendly. And if you really need them, you can buy weighted ones.
Food
Your dog’s diet will make a big difference to their well being. Cheaper food can be packed with grains and lower quality nutrient content. The food you buy will depend on the age of your dog, the size, any allergies, and how active they are. You should do some research and read freshpet reviews to find what you think will work.
Bed
There should be a space in the house that your dog can retreat to. Much like people, dogs don’t always need to be with others. They too need a place that they can go to be alone. While dogs are happy to sleep almost anywhere, that doesn’t mean you’d want them too. Train them that their bed is their space, and they will likely settle there happily no matter what time of day it is.
Toys
Dogs typically have active, curious brains. Chew toys and other puzzle toys can keep their mind focused on those things rather than exploring your shoe cupboard or the corner of the sofa. Chew toys can also help with their general oral health too.
Treats
Getting into a good routine with treats will mean you will be able to train your dog using positive reinforcement. Choosing grain free options will contribute to the control of possible allergens in your dog’s diet, if you suspect there is an issue with feeding grains to your dog.
Owning a dog is one of the best things in the world, provided you are prepared to put the time and effort in.
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