Checklist for Bringing a Puppy Dog Home

If you have finally agreed to your child’s constant requests to get a dog, there is much to consider. It is a sad fact that there are close to 1,000 dog rescue facilities in Australia, as people who have dogs had a change of heart and the animal is abandoned. Assuming that you understand that bringing up a dog is a life-long responsibility and are prepared for what that might involve, here is a checklist to ensure that nothing gets overlooked.

Essential Items

Your puppy should have all of the following when he arrives at your home:

• Bedding – Large enough to accommodate the dog when fully grown.
• Food and Water Bowl – These should always be kept in the same location.
• Collar & Leash – This should contain your phone number and his name, plus it lets people know that the dog does have a home, while the leash is your way to control his movements. If you’re not sure about teaching your dog, contact the effective dog training in Sydney and they can certainly help.
• Registering with the Local Vet – You will have to take the puppy to be registered at your local vet, which should be done prior to allowing the dog to have contact with other dogs. The puppy will be vaccinated and chipped, which is great if he ever gets lost, and the vet will generally check the puppy’s health and schedule another appointment in a few months.
• Rules & Regulations – It is important that the puppy has a clear set of rules to follow and with a consistent response to behaviour, he will soon understand what he can and cannot do. Which rooms is he allowed to enter? Where will his own personal space be? Can he sit on the furniture? All these questions need to be answered and if the whole family is involved, then everyone is on the same page.
• Chewy Toys – It is virtually impossible to stop a young dog from chewing, and the best solution is to provide him with chewy toys that he can gnaw away at for as long as he wishes. In the event he chews other things like shoes, make him aware that this is not allowed and give him his chewy toy. The first few weeks are critical and if he has a chewy toy that he favours, this should be the only thing he is allowed to chew, and if you have any problems teaching him this, enrol yourself and the dog into puppy training classes, where you will learn how to best communicate with your canine family member.
• Know your Breed – Whether you are getting a dog from a rescue facility (much preferred) or a dog breeder, it is important to do some research on the breed. Ideally, you want a breed that closely matches your lifestyle and if you live out in the country and are active, a large breed is ideal.

It is important to ensure that you are well-prepared for the dog’s homecoming and with the right training, your dog will quickly become an established member of the family.