Preparing for Puppy

So, you’ve decided to let the chaos of a new puppy into your heart and home. Congratulations! You’re in for the ride of your life- it can be frustrating and exhausting, but giving them the home they really deserve is amongst the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.

We absolutely adore dogs, so we’ve come up with a simple to follow list of things you should do as you get ready to open your life, heart and home up to a new canine companion. These steps should help set you and your new best friend up for as smooth a journey as possible.

Puppy Planning

Once you’ve calmed down from all the excitement, there are a few practicalities to consider.

For the first little while that your new puppy is with you, she should be kept in one or two rooms. This helps them feel secure as they get used to the smells and sounds of their new life. It also makes things a bit easier for you!

Take some time to consider which part of the house works best for you and the new arrival. Somewhere where the family will be spending time during the day but where your new friend can get a little privacy too is ideal.

You should decide whether or not you plan on crate training your dog- if you’re going to do this, you should start from day one. You’ll need to find a nice quiet spot where puppy can get away from it all. Dogs are naturally den-living creatures, so having a place of their own that they can retreat to can really help the process.

Another consideration is the flooring- accidents will happen, so somewhere with an easy to clean floor is definitely preferable to a newly carpeted room.

Speaking of accidents…

Puppy Proofing

A new pup is an excitable ball of energy and exploration. That’s what makes them so much fun! The downside here is that they’ll energetically explore everything whether or not it’s a good idea. That’s where puppy proofing comes in.

Much like when there’s a new baby in the house, safety has to come first. Make sure that there’s nothing in there that you mind being damaged and nothing that could cause puppy to choke within reach. Much like human babies, puppies like to explore the world with their mouths. Unlike human babies, their mouths are filled with really sharp teeth.

For the safety of your puppy and the sake of your shoes and furniture, keep this room as tidy as possible. You never know what they’ll take an interest in, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Getting Supplies In

On your puppy’s first day at home, you don’t want to miss a second of it by having to run out for supplies. It’s definitely best to get these in well in advance to ensure that everything is ready to go as soon as your new friend arrives.

To help with the shopping process, we’ve come up with this handy list. Most are pretty obvious, but there might be a couple of items you forget and wish you had. Rather than simply tell you “buy this” we’ve opted to explain each item and leave it up to you to decide what suits you and your new best friend.

• Puppy food: Pups grow at a tremendous rate in the first few months and they expend a huge amount of energy; not just while running around like chaotic balls of fluff but also in learning about the world. Puppy food is specially developed to provide everything they need to develop into healthy, happy adults. Most of their diet should be dry food (it’s better for their teeth) but the occasional tin or pouch of wet food as a treat is great too.

• Bowls: You’ll need separate food and water bowls. If you’ve got more than one canine companion in your life, it’s best to give each their own to avoid conflict. Just think how you’d feel if a new person came into your home and started taking your food from your plate!

• Toys: A tired dog is a relaxed dog. It’s also a lot of fun tiring them out! Toys provide your dog with the mental exercise they need and give you a great way to bond. Balls, chewy toys, things to pull, things to chase, puzzles- there’s an unlimited variety of playthings out there. You can never have too many toys.

• A Bed: Puppies love to sleep almost as much as they love to play and explore. At the end of their busy day (and trust us, every day is busy when you’re a puppy) they’ll want somewhere nice and soft to snuggle up.

• Training pads: There’s no way of avoiding it- accidents will happen. Puppy pads are invaluable in keeping things nice and clean and can help your dog to learn better control during the training process. It is also worth considering a special cleaning solution to eliminate any lingering traces- any lingering smell might encourage them to go there again.

• A harness, collar and lead: While you shouldn’t take your puppy for a walk until they’ve had their vaccinations, you should consider starting the process of getting them ready well in advance. Having them wear their lead as they follow you around the house can make the process of teaching them to walk nicely beside you a lot less stressful.

• Treats: Most dogs are very food orientated. Finding the right treat can make the training process much simpler. A variety of treats of different values can help in getting them to do almost anything!

Barker’s and Mitten’s has Doha’s best range of high quality items for your pup and we put their wellbeing first. If you’d like some advice on any of these items then don’t hesitate to get in touch or come in and see us. Alternatively, order online and we can deliver it to you within two days for free within the city.