Getting a new puppy is a very exciting time but can also be a daunting experience. There are so many things to remember so here at Petworld we have created the new Puppy Checklist to help you and your new puppy have a happy start together.

Vaccinations For Your Puppy

Puppy injections start around 6 weeks of age and finish at 10-12 weeks of age. It is important to get evidence that the breeder has been vaccinated as puppies can pick up a lot of diseases by not being vaccinated. Puppies cannot be walked outside until 10 days after their last injection. After the puppy injections are done the vaccinations need to be boosted once a year.

Worming For Your Puppy

As a puppy, worming must be done every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks of age, then every month until they are 6 months of age and after that, it is every three months. It is very important to keep up with worming because they are easily picked up even in older dogs.

Neutering For Your Puppy

Not everyone will want to get their dog neutered but it is the best option health-wise. It reduces the risk of cancer, decreases the dog’s appetite, and calms the dog down slightly. It is recommended by vets to have their dog neutered at the age of 6 months.

Toxic foods For Your Puppy

There are a lot of foods that can be dangerous to dogs and some that can even kill them! Examples of these foods would include Chocolate; Avocado; Alcohol; Grapes and Raisins; Onions and Christmas plants such as Holly and Poinsettia.

Car Safety for Your Puppy

You can place your new puppy in a crate in your car. If you use a crate the puppy has a place that he is used to, so he is going to be more comfortable. The driver also knows the dog won’t be bouncing around causing a distraction. Another positive is that when you stop your car, you can control the dog better until you get the leash on him so he cannot scurry off. Remember to secure the crate in your car using bungee cording, rope, or a seatbelt.

Dog Licence For Your Puppy

It is required by law that every dog owner must have a license for their dog. You must be 16 years or older to obtain a license and you can buy this online or at your local post office.

Microchipping For Your Puppy

As of September 2015, it is now a legal requirement to have your new puppy microchipped. The chip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, contains the details of the dog as well as the owners’ names and addresses. Microchipping is a simple procedure that allows for an easy and speedy recovery of lost or stolen dogs. The procedure is no more painful than a standard vaccination. Anaesthetic is not required.

Shopping List For Puppy

Food

Good quality food should be on your checklist to give your puppy the best start in life. Well-balanced puppy food contains nutrients that a puppy specifically needs. We recommend feeding your puppy a combined diet of dry kibble with moist dog food. You can either mix them or vary them from meal to meal.

Bowls

Size does matter when it comes to puppy bowls. Your puppy may not be able to comfortably eat from a too-small, too-tall, or too-deep bowl. Like Goldilocks, you'll want to find one that's "just right" for your puppy.

A bowl

should be large enough that your dog can comfortably open and close her mouth. A puppy may not be able to reach the bottom of a deep bowl, since his legs are short and his body is close to the ground. Remember one bowl for water and one for food, some larger breeds might eventually need an anti gulp bowl.

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Grooming

We recommend that you establish a grooming routine as soon as you bring your puppy home. Grooming will help your puppy bond with you while washing and brushing remove dead hairs from its coat. It also allows you to examine your puppy for lumps and bumps and ensure he is in good overall health. Grooming sessions should be kept as short as possible first until your puppy starts getting used to them and in no time they will be delighted to know its bath-time.

Crate

Crates are very useful and can be used as a bed, to help train your puppy and also great to give your puppy a place to escape from the hustle and bustle. Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. If you buy one that is too big the puppy may be tempted to use one half for its bed and the other half for his bathroom.

Chew Toys

Chew toys are a good investment to help prevent your new puppy from chewing items around your home. We recommend chewing toys such as small Kong toys for a teething puppy. If nothing is provided, your puppy will be more likely to start chewing items around your home.

Puppy Pads 

When you start toilet training your puppy it makes sense to have an indoor potty area. Puppy pads make an ideal choice as a gradual training means to help your puppy transition to outdoor peeing.

Training Treats 

Treats can be a useful method of training your puppy positively. The more generous you reward, the stronger your puppy’s good habits will become.

Worming/Flea Treatment 

After bringing your new puppy into your home, you should start treating it with preventative flea and worm medication straight away. There are a variety of products on offer, from sprays and drops to collars and tablets. The first sign of pests is usually in your puppy's behavior when you might notice them scratching or appearing agitated for no apparent reason.

Harness/Lead 

The sooner you get your new dog used to a lead the better. A nylon lead makes an ideal puppy leash. They serve as a gentle introduction to lead training. As your puppy grows, you will need to step up to stronger nylon or a leather lead depending on the size of your dog.

Cleaning Supplies 

Puppies are messy so we also advise having some necessary cleaning supplies at hand. Puppies have accidents and having designated cleaners at hand for your flooring and furniture will make life much easier. A pooper scooper, latex gloves, small disposal bags, disinfectant, and odor neutralizer are also highly recommended for those tricky situations and to cover up the scent so your puppy is not tempted to revisit the area.

If you have more questions, reach out to our nearest petworld store or call us now