You Got a New Puppy...Now What?

The breeder should give you a cloth or fluffy toy that they had rubbed on your puppy's mother or littermates, so that it smells like them. It will be familiar and very comforting to the puppy as it leaves its comfort zone for a new life!

Puppy proof your house
Put the things you don’t want the puppy to get to, away or anything that could harm him. It is your responsibility to keep the puppy out of things you don't want disturbed or destroyed! Remember it will be curious and playful.

The best thing you can do for yourself and the puppy is to purchase a crate. It will be a safe place for him and you will know where the puppy is while using it. Get a size big enough for him to be comfortable and be able to turn around. If it to big he might use one side for sleeping and the other as his bathroom…A fluffy pad a the bottom of the crate will do until he is ready for a real dog bed.

Puppy food
Be sure you have some food and tiny treats! Ideally, get yourself a bag to start with of whatever the breeder uses.
Puppies' stomachs can get easily upset by a switch, so when you do switch, it's best to gradually do so using less of the old and more of the new food.

Food and water bowls
Stainless steel is best: it is sanitary and tough enough for those little puppy teeth.
When your puppy is older you can get him and elevated dog feeder, which is healthier for most dogs.

A flat collar
You might as well get a non expensive one for now, since you puppy is going to fast and go through a couple of them before you get him an adult dog collar. And a short leash to go with the collar.

An ID tag
To go on the collar. It's always a good idea to get that ID on.

An enzyme cleaner
To neutralize any urine that gets onto floors or carpets. The enzymes greatly reduce or eliminate the odor that would draw the puppy back to the same place and do the same thing.

Toys
Get the kind that he will not be able to destroy (too easily) . Play nice with him, no tug of war games for now that might develop an aggressive behavior. We have found that every time you see your chew on something he not supposed to, replacing it with one of its own toys will teach him what he can chew and what he cannot. You might want to purchase a dog toy box to keep his toy all in one place, which teach where they are instead of being spread all over the house.

Do not let him jump on people: it might be cute now, but not so much when he reaches 80 pounds…

Housetraining
If your puppy is not housebroken yet start right away. This is when its crate comes in handy. Take him outside to do his business every time you take him out of the crate. He will not “go” in his crate (that is if you didn’t buy him a Mansion). Teach him to go outside and encourage and praise him when he does.

Veterinarian
Make an appointment with your favorite veterinarian for a puppy check-up. If you do not have once ask for a recommendation from the breeder or dog owner friends.

Puppy training classes
Enroll your puppy for training classes: they are a lot of fun for you and him. The handlers will teach him and you, basics commands and behaviors. It’s also a great way to socialize him with other dogs.

All these tips and recommendations are basic information, and in no way complete. They are books, trainers and more to help for you and your new puppy in having a wonderful life together.

Always remember to be kind to him, even when he is a bad dog…He is only a puppy and learning. It will take time and patience. You were not born all good, were you? A puppy does not understand punishment, only Love.

Positive reinforcement work marvels: always, always praise him, reward him with a treat when he is a Good Boy!

There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners…