Training Video: Preparing for bringing your puppy home

What to consider before bringing your puppy home

Make sure you have set some time aside before the puppy arrives to ensure your home is safe for them. There are lots of things that are potentially harmful to puppies that we need to tidy away or secure. Such as electrical wires and ornaments.

Certain foods are also dangerous for puppies to eat, like alcohol, chocolate, anything with macadamia nuts in, grapes and raisins to name a few, so ensure all these are out of reach.

Puppies are small and inquisitive so make sure the boundaries of your garden are secure, or you can put a pen in the garden to keep your puppy secure or to protect certain grass areas from puppy wee when getting them accustomed to their outdoor space.

There may be plants in your garden that are harmful to dogs. You will need to move these or restrict access to them. Common ones are Daffodils, Rhododendron and Ivy

Consider your lifestyle and commitments for the first fortnight. If necessary, book some time off work and enlist the future help of friends or family.

Consider the impact on other household pets and how you can help smooth the arrival of the new puppy with them too.

Purchase the necessary accessories including an appropriate leash and collar, crate, bed, bowls, a couple of toys and puppy food.

The leash and collar need to be suitable and durable for the breed of puppy you have and now is a good time to order or buy an identity tag. Legally your puppy needs to have an ID tag on its collar when you start to take it out.

Puppies are messy, stock up on plenty of cleaning materials and supplies. Kitchen roll and wet wipes are essential.

Prepare a quiet area for your puppy, where they can chill out and sleep overnight. Crates are a good way to create a cosy den-like area.

Buy several pieces of bedding for your puppy, so that you have spares in case of accidents.

Register your puppy with your local or preferred veterinarian surgery. You will need your puppy’s date of birth and the microchip number if the breeder has provided one. Plus, be sure to book your puppy in for their first vaccinations and organise pet insurance.

When meeting with breeders, make sure you have all the correct paperwork and know feeding/toilet routines.

Make sure you prepare for the car ride home with a in-car crate, blankets, wipes and poo bags.

When your puppy's home, be cautious of overwhelming them with visitors. Perhaps give them a couple of days to settle.

Finally, focus on setting in stone feeding, toilet and sleep routines and training to start of on the right food and set a precedent for their new life with you.