LifecanbetoffIt’s probably one of the most exciting things you can do. When it comes to bringing your puppy home, you want to make sure that you have all those puppy essentials for that big day.
I recently welcomed Toffee home, and whilst I’d had dogs for 16 years prior and perfectly capable of coping with older dogs and keeping them happy, it had been a long time since I’d had a puppy. Things have changed a lot too! I found there was a whole load of new products to consider before bringing Toffee home. Some essential, some less so!
It’s also very easy to go a bit bonkers buying things, so it’s important to remember that your puppy is going to be small for a short time only!
Meet Toffee
Toffee is a KC registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier fawn bitch. As you can see she’s incredibly cute and has frown lines that get her out of so much trouble! Staffords are my breed, I’ve had them for 16 years and after saying goodbye to Maddie and Kira over the last couple of years, I had considered getting a different breed. But, the universe had other plans and Toffee came into our lives.
She’s full of character, incredibly bright but also testing a lot of boundaries!
Bringing your puppy home
The night before I picked Toffee up, I didn’t sleep a wink, it was like Christmas! In the weeks leading up to her arrival, I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed. Both for the journey and for her arrival home.
I met her a few weeks before picking her up and at that point, I took a blanket with me that smelled of us and our home so she could become familiar with our smells. I get my blankets from The Dog Co where you can get matching blankets for yourself too!
Safe Travels
If you’re picking your puppy up in the car, then you’ll want to make sure they are suitably restrained and are safe.
Driving with pets is covered under Rule 57 of the Highway Code that states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
You could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if your dog isn’t properly secured and officers observe you driving with your dog on your lap or standing on the parcel shelf.
I opted to purchase a fabric booster carrier. This fold-up fabric crate sits on the car seat and is secured using a strap that tightens around the headrest. The dog can be strapped in using a seatbelt type strap that attaches to their collar or harness and you can leave the top open or secure them inside.
This particular crate won’t last Toffee long as she will quickly outgrow it. Once she has outgrown it, she will be secured using a seatbelt harness.
You’ll also need to be prepared for your puppy to be ill on the journey home. If you have a long journey, schedule regular stops for toilet or water breaks. Choose quiet areas, remember, your puppy may not have been vaccinated yet.
We took with us some wipes, a water bottle, bowl and towel to clean up any messes.
Crate training
If you have decided to crate train your puppy, you need to make sure the crate will see your puppy right through to adulthood. The crate should be large enough for your dog, as an adult, to stand, turn around, lay down and stretch out.
I purchased a crate for Kira when she was a puppy and still have it for Toffee now. It’s been a sturdy investment (now 15 years old with regular use) and cover it with a blanket to create a den. Crate training your puppy from an early age is essential to get them used to the area. It should not be used as a punishment as they will associate the area with being told off.
However, you must be strong. The first few times they are in the crate they will cry, a lot. Don’t be tempted to let them out as they will learn that crying gets them what they want!
A comfy bed
I was incredibly lucky that my mum made me a bed for Toffee from some fabric I purchased and an old bed. If you’re not a Queen of the sewing machine like mum is, then there are plenty of options out there.
Whilst it is tempting to buy a “my first puppy” bed, much like the crate, you want to buy a bed your new puppy will grow into. Beds can be extortionately priced so you’ll want to change them as little as often!
Though bear in mind that your pup will want somewhere cosy and soft. They’ll need something they can easily get in and out of and with supportive sides to rest their little heads.
I lust after a bed from Ivy & Duke for Toffee, and not just because it’s tweed!
What to feed your new puppy
In order to avoid tummy upset, you’ll want to find out from your breeder what food they are fed on before bringing your puppy home. You may be supplied with a puppy pack that contains a small bag to go on with.
Once your puppy is settled, you can introduce a new food to their diet. What you feed them is of course up to you, but you’ll need to consider their growing bones and consider a puppy or junior food until they are 6 or 8 months old.
You’ll want to make sure you have food and water bowls too.
What about playtime?
It’s incredibly tempting to go mad buying toys for your new puppy. You’ll want to choose a variety of textures, sizes and styles to keep your puppy entertained and away from your furniture or possessions. Toffee has a toy box to keep her toys tidy, though she generally has to have them all out at the same time!
I highly recommend getting a kong and some doggy peanut butter to help when it comes to leaving your puppy. Interactive toys to keep their mind busy will really help with training.
Toffee absolutely adores her Tug-e-nuff pocket fauxtastic which is a perfect tool for distracting her and encouraging good behaviour. It’ll be invaluable when it comes to doing off-lead work with her.
Collar and lead
Whilst you won’t be able to take your new puppy for walks before they’ve had their vaccinations, it’s a good idea to get them used to wearing a collar so that the first outing is less stressful! You may even choose to have your puppy wear a harness for walking too.
You’ll need to take a measurement of your puppy in order to get the correct size for them. You’ll want to choose something soft as stiff collars will only make them feel more uncomfortable.
Toffee’s collars are snazzy ones from The Dog Co, handmade in England by Manda they are incredibly bright and cheerful. She has an amazing range (I mentioned the blankets above too.)
It is also a legal requirement for your puppy to have an identity tag with your contact details should they get lost. There are some incredible options out there and I love these from Tag That Bitch.
Treats and training
When it comes to training your new puppy, tempting treats will be the way forward. Rewarding good behaviour with a treat will keep your puppy engaged. Just remember to check the age recommendation for the treats.
For training purposes, smaller treats are best as they’ll be quickly eaten and repetitive training can continue. Toffee is clicker trained, so her good behaviour is rewarded using the clicker then a treat.
Any larger chews or treats should be given with caution and your puppy should be watched whilst they enjoy them! Also, remember to adjust how much you feed them if you’ve been giving them lots of treats!
Grooming
You’ll want to get your puppy used to being groomed early on, this will include clipping toenails (though if you are not confident to do this you can get it done at a groomer or vet).
A soft brush or comb will work in those early months. Depending on your dog breed, you may wish to seek out a professional groomer for regular trims and grooming.
Limit how often you bathe your puppy, whilst it will help get them used to it, make sure you use appropriate shampoo. Bathing your dog too often will strip their coat of its natural essential oils.
Insurance for your puppy
Whilst we don’t want to think something will happen to our puppies, they have growing bones and can be incredibly bold. Even launching themselves off the sofa can cause serious injury. You’ll also soon realise that everything that must be investigated by your puppy, will be done so by their mouth!
Yes, Maddie had eaten socks on more than one occasion!
Veterinary treatment is incredibly costly so you’ll want to make sure your pup is suitably covered by insurance. You may receive 4 weeks of free insurance with the Kennel Club, but it’s always worthwhile shopping around for the best deal.
Enjoy bringing your puppy home!
Now you have everything you need, you’re ready to bring your puppy home! Let the fun begin. It is both fun and challenging having a new puppy, something I had forgotten! They test limits, they sleep often, they bite, they chew, they poop and pee in the house, they chase the cat, they cuddle and they love you unconditionally.
Enjoy bringing home your new puppy.
Peace out!
Jangles x
None of the links in this blog post is affiliate links. They are purely brands and companies I buy from myself.
Your puppy is so cute and these are some great tips! We brought home a puppy in December and we had some of your list items but not all. I’ll be more prepared next time. 🙂
Such great tips! Thank you for sharing x