COMING HOME WITH YOUR NEW PUPPY
Coming home can be an overwhelming experience for your puppy so it's best to be as prepared as possible. This section has been broken down into four categories: supplies you'll want to consider buying, preparing your home for your new puppy, introducing your puppy to your family and other pets, and the first few days with your new puppy.
SUPPLIES
Bowls: You'll want to get two bowls, one for food and one for water. Stainless steel is best as it's heavier and won't harbor bacteria as will plastic. Ceramic works well also but can be easily broken or chipped if knocked over. A self-watering bowl is great for constant supply of water.
Gate: A gate is a helpful tool when you want to block off a portion of the house, or stairways, or to close off a supervised playroom. Leaving your puppy in a large gated room may make your puppy feel lonely and displaced. Dogs typically feel safest in small manageable spaces because they are den animals.
Playpen: A playpen can be used to contain your puppy when you are out of sight, paper training, acclimating to other pets, and temporarily containing your puppy outside. They can also be folded up and put away when not in use.
Crate: Crates are great because they give your puppy his/her own place to play, rest, and feel safe. It will also keep your puppy safe in your home and your home safe from your puppy while you are away. They come in plastic, wire, and wicker. If you plan to travel with your puppy a plastic crate can be used in the home (in a well ventilated environment) as well as while traveling. Wire crates have better airflow and can be made more den-like by covering it with a blanket at night. Wicker crates look nicer but can easily be chewed through. For information on how to crate your puppy see the 'Training & Crating' section.
Bedding: Store bought bedding is great but is better bought once your puppy is potty trained. You can use an old blanket or some old towels until your puppy is housebroken. If your puppy likes to chew you may want to skip the bedding altogether to avoid the ingesting of fibers.
Toys: With an overwhelming variety of choices out there, it's best to start with only one or two toys at first and see which one your puppy likes best, then stock up on that one. Typically toys that bounce and roll are big winners, especially those that are oddly shaped, as they tend to bounce randomly.
Collars: Collars made of cotton, nylon or leather that buckle are used to carry your puppy's ID tags and do not slide or choke. A training collar is used to discourage lunging and leading you on the leash. Training collars come in a few different choices, stainless steel, nylon, and self-correcting. Nylon is best for fine-haired dogs but otherwise the choice is based on what you like best.
Leashes: You may want to invest in a few different types of leashes. A nylon leash that is 4 to 6 feet in length is good for going on walks and indoor training. A retractable leash, made of nylon or canvas and are 30 feet and over, is great for letting your puppy run around outside and can later be used for off leash training.
