10 things every puppy needs. Adopting a puppy is an exciting experience. You’ll have a new family member in the household with a personality you don’t know that will be fun to discover. He will wait for you when you get home and you will enjoy unforgettable moments by his side, playing and sharing affection. Now, before your new best friend comes home you must know 10 things that every puppy needs for his well-being. Next, we explain it to you,
1. Bed and blankets
Just before your new friend gets home, you should acquire a comfortable bed for him. This should be suitable for its size and it is advisable that it be fluffy. Along with the bed, acquire some blankets that you can use during the winter.
When the bed is at home, it is time to determine the ideal place to place it. The best thing is that you are in a space that offers privacy when you want to rest, but at the same time is integrated into family life. Place it in a quiet place and away from drafts.
2. Containers for food and water
Get a container for food and another for water, these are essential accessories to receive your puppy. In the market there are a wide variety of containers of all colors, shapes and materials, (such as plastic, metal and ceramic). These should also be chosen taking into account the size of the dog, as it does not make sense to acquire a small container for a large breed dog.
Automatic dog feeders are a good option for those people who spend a lot of time away from home. However, with these utensils it is not possible to control the adequate amount, which can lead to overweight and obesity. On the other hand, we also find water sources that are very attractive for dogs, since they encourage them to drink more.
3. Toys
Play is a fundamental activity for the well-being, health and development of the puppy. In addition, when young, puppies tend to bite due to the growth of teeth, which causes them pain. For that reason, it is important to have toys that help the puppy redirect this behavior to appropriate accessories and thus prevent damage in the home.
In pet stores you will find all kinds of toys that the puppy can bite, but make sure they are suitable according to their age. These can occur in different materials, from soft to more rigid; choose the one that best suits your puppy’s needs.
4. Nameplate
Identifying your puppy is crucial to their safety. One of the first things you should do is order a nameplate, your phone number and your name, so if it were to get lost during a walk, the person who finds it could help you return with it.
In addition, today there is microchip technology, a much safer option. With it it will be easy to locate your pet in case of loss and it is a painless and safe procedure. Consult with your veterinarian this option.
5. Collar or harness and leash
When we talk about safety, the ideal is to minimize the possibility of your puppy getting lost, and the best thing to do is to go for a walk using a collar or harness. However, which is better, harness or collar? The use of a harness is generally recommended, as it is usually safer and prevents damage to the neck in the event that the dog pulls the leash.
As for the leash, it is highly advisable to choose one between 1 and 3 meters long, preferably adjustable, which will help us offer a good walk and freedom to the puppy. If you are a responsible human companion, do not forget to walk with your dog always using the collar and leash, because only in this way will you be protecting him from possible loss. Of course, remember that you can only take your puppy to the street when he already has all his vaccinations up to date.
6. Hygiene accessories
One of the things that a puppy needs is to have hygiene accessories; because at this stage they usually get dirty easily if we allow it. Although you should wait for your puppy to have his vaccinations before bathing him for the first time; it does not hurt to acquire the necessary accessories to give him a bath when he requires it. Meanwhile, you can buy wipes for puppies.
Remember that you should always choose specific products for dogs. Check with your veterinarian to find out which is the most suitable comb according to your hair type, as well as shampoo and conditioner.
7. Transpontin for dogs
The carrier is a basic accessory to take our dogs by car. It can also be very useful for veterinary visits when they are especially unwell. However, in the case of large dogs the cost of this accessory can be very high; so many people opt for an adaptable leash specific to dogs instead of a carrier.
These items should be chosen taking into account the size of the dog. Ideally, you can stand up and turn around when you’re inside, as well as lie down comfortably.
8. Puppy Education
That’s right, not all the things a puppy needs are items you should acquire. Education is crucial for the relationship with your dog to be harmonious; unwanted situations or behaviors are avoided; understand how they should behave and make it easier for them to communicate with you or understand what you want.
The basic education of the puppy should begin at an early age and you can carry it out yourself or ask for the advice of a specialist in the field. Some basic things your puppy should learn can be to urinate in the newspaper (until they can go outside) or control the bite.
9. Socialization
We want to dedicate an entire section to socialization, as it is one of the most important things that a puppy needs. Since a balanced behavior in their adult stage will depend on it. The puppy’s socialization begins around three weeks of age and ends around three months. It is a process in which the dog learns to relate correctly to all kinds of animals, people and environments. Once the socialization period is over, fears appear.
If we do not socialize our puppy correctly we will observe that he does not relate properly with other individuals, showing fear, aggressiveness or other behavioral problems. You are also likely to have difficulty adapting to the environment; or that you are afraid of certain objects that we have not presented to you.
It is essential that a puppy explores completely to prevent it. However, since before vaccination it is not possible to walk with a puppy on the street, it is highly advisable to go to classes for puppies, in which we can socialize with other dogs, people, toys and environments.
10. Love
Affection, affection and respect are the pillars on which the relationship with your dog must be sustained. It is useless to buy the best things if you are not going to appreciate how it should or dedicate it in the time it needs.
Remember that adopting a dog is a commitment that can mean between 12 and 16 years of your life, depending on the hope of the breed. So you must be willing to fulfill your obligations and provide the comforts it requires. In return, he will reward you with love, protection, companionship and loyalty.