So, you've made the decision to get a puppy - the 10 to 15 year commitment many struggle with when deciding whether or not their life is in fact "dog friendly" enough to join the growing number of furry-friendly families. With one monumental decision behind you...now what?
Much like bringing home a newborn, puppyhood is difficult and you need to be prepared for what's in store. Below are the top ten must-haves when bringing home puppy:
1. Puppy food - and no, I don't mean puppy chow from the grocery store! Nutrition is a very important component of the overall health of your new addition - from puppy to senior and all stages in between. Educate yourself and do your research. Stay away from foods with corn or chicken by-product in the ingredients. If it isn't good enough for us - why would you want to feed it to Fido? Dog Food Advisor is a great place to start for comprehensive and unbiased reviews & ratings on dog food brands on the market today. (Personally, I'm a fan of Blue Buffalo and Sojo's - Maddie & Zoe are too).
2. Wee-wee pads - No puppy comes potty trained. Sorry to report. It takes some effort on your part to teach Fido pottying in the house isn't acceptable, but wee-wee pads can make your life a little easier! Puppy Wee Wee Pads are perfect for potty training your puppy! Just move the pad closer and closer to the door, then outside until your pup is housebroken! Potty training doesn't get any easier than using Four Paws Wee-Wee Pads.
3. Shampoo - While I've never seen an ugly puppy, I have seen some dirty ones! Make sure you have some tearless shampoo on hand to give Fido a bath after his romp in the mud (they will do this from time - prepare yourself!). I really like PawGanics puppy formula.
4. A good brush - Take it from me: The earlier your introduce a brush to your puppy, the easier your life will be moving forward. Regretfully, this is the category I slacked on - and am now paying for. Maddie HATES being brushed and this proves to be a daily struggle. Had I introduced it earlier I'm pretty sure the result would be much different. The type of brush you need is truly dependent upon the breed and coat type of your puppy. Just make sure to keep Fido well groomed (shoot for once a week), as this prevents matting (leading to unnecessary grooming costs) and gets them used to the process.
5. Collar & Leash - You should always have a collar on your dog, with identification and license tags (worst case scenario: they get away, you want your name and number on the dog so you can get it back). Also, make sure to get a durable leash (I prefer 6 foot leads). Many municipalities also now have leash laws, so it is very important to get your puppy used to one right away, for their safety and yours! Necessity aside, it doesn't hurt to find a durable, designer collar & leash collection! Check these ones out. I'm obsessed!
6. Harness - If your puppy is very resistant to the leash training - or continues to pull - you might want to consider getting a good harness. Puppia harnesses are by far the BEST harnesses in the industry. You won't be disappointed you invested in one - and Fido will thank you too!
7. Flea/Tick Treatment - Assuming your puppy is 8 weeks old and weighs at least 5 lbs, you should seriously consider treating it for flea & ticks. Fleas and ticks can cause serious discomfort to your dog - and your home, so why not prevent them from the start? I just switched my guys to Trifexis, which treats fleas, ticks, parasites and heartworm (#8 on our must-have list).
If your looking for a natural alternative to flea/tick preventative treatments, I highly suggest Pet Naturals Flea & Tick Spray, made with a synergistic blend of natural oils to shield your pup from unwanted pests.
8. Monthly Heartworm Preventative - AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Please do not neglect this step - above all else. There are so many options out there, but as I said above, I am now using Trifexis, due in part to it's convenience factor. You can get a prescription for Trifexis from your vet.
9. Doggy Bed/Duvet - Especially if you want to keep your pup off of your furniture {good luck with that btw}, invest in a doggy bed that Fido knows is just for him! I really dig the dog bed duvets by Molly Mutt. They are by far the most convenient take on a dog bed I've ever seen - not to mention they are the cutest designs on the market today. Learn more about these eco-friendly gems here.
10. Toys - You can't expect puppyhood to be incident free. In fact, prepare to lose a pair {or three+} of your favorite shoes, expect a few table legs to be chewed and even some stained carpet along the way. With that said, one of the reasons puppies chew on "your stuff" is because they don't have enough stuff of their own laying around. Make sure you keep some puppy-friendly toys scattered around the house to keep them occupied. And remember, destruction is closely linked to boredom, so make sure you are spending enough time playing with Fido. This exercise not only aids in wearing him out (thus serving as temporary insurance for your "things") but it is a bonding experience as well. Need a super durable option? Check out the hurley {guaranteed to last, hint hint}.
Obviously this list isn't comprehensive of all things needed to raise Fido, but it should give you a head start at least.
Enjoy your puppy. They grow up too fast!
MJ (Maddie's Mom)
Recycled Canvas Old Car Dog Toy - Features include recycled cotton stuffing, a sturdy canvas contoured exterior and clever photorealistic graphics. Includes a squeaker to keep your pup entertained. The old-car shaped toy measures 8 inches by 5 inches. Machine wash cold-gentle cycle-line dry. This toy line is one of Maddie's absolute favorites. You can find her almost every night carrying around her recycled canvas baseball!
4. Orbee-Tuff® RecycleBONE® -Make toys, not waste! Each RecycleBONE® is made from regrind - 100% first quality Orbee-Tuff® material that would otherwise be discarded. This toy rates 3-out-of-5 Chompers. Buoyant, bouncy, minty and non-toxic. Rinses Clean. Made in U.S.A. and 100% guaranteed. Measures 6½" long.
2. Wash - “Wash” dog shampoo safely cleanses your dog’s coat without drying skin. Rosemary and peppermint essential oils create a clean, fresh scent and are naturally anti-bacterial. “Wash” doesn’t just cover up smells, but actually breaks through them to naturally deodorize. This is a Maddie must-have item!
one with blankets & clothes from around your house. Durable, washable, and pre-shrunk, Molly Mutt duvets are 100% cotton, fully-zippered and gusseted for extra style and comfort. Not to mention, they come in the most unique and beautiful patterns. Your home decor will not longer hate your dog bed!
