How exciting! Pretty soon you will have a new furry family member in the house. Puppies come with lots of responsibility and will need lots of time and attention. In fact, new puppies need anywhere from 2-3 hours of your undivided attention a day to socialize, train, and play.
Before you bring your new puppy home, you may want to research and plan. Here is a quick list of tips for bringing your new puppy home!
1. Research and commit to your potty-training plan ahead of time.
Potty training takes time and patience, so it’s important to plan and make sure your puppy has what they need to succeed. Check out this article from the AKC that showcases every type of potty-training tactic!
2. If you choose to have your dog sleep in bed with you, you should still establish their own space and a routine.
New puppies have a hard time controlling their bladders. On average, a puppy under 12-weeks old can only hold their bladder and bowels for 3-4 hours at a time. If your puppy will be sleeping in your bed, be prepared to be woken up for potty breaks. Accidents happen, so it is important to set alarms and create a bedtime routine for your dog.
3. If you plan on crate training your dog at night, there are a few things to grab before you introduce your dog to their bed.
Find a machine washable liner with some padding to keep your dog comfy at night. The Snuggle Blanket is a machine washable dog blanket and can bring comfort to your dog by providing familiar smells in their space. Snuggle Blanket comes in three colors to match your aesthetic and retains pet hair. Having a blanket in your dog’s bed is important because it helps create a den-like atmosphere that dogs are used to.
4. Find your vet.
Before your pup comes home, check online, and make a list of vets around you. Ask your friends or read reviews to see which vet will best meet you and your pup’s needs. It is important to call their office ahead of time to see if the vet shares your opinions about pet care.
5. Get a Snuggle Puppy!
Whether your dog is crate trained, or not, Snuggle Puppy is a great companion that can help ease your pup’s anxiety while you’re away. The Snuggle Puppy is a cuddle companion made to comfort your pup. The Snuggly Puppy naturally calms your dog by mimicking a warm, comfortable furry best friend. The Snuggle Puppy comes in five colors and includes one heat pack and one Real-feel Heartbeat®.
When introducing your Snuggle Puppy to your furry friend, make sure that it is introduced in a calm setting. If your pup starts to chew on The Snuggle Puppy, remove it from them and introduce it at a later time. You can introduce your Snuggle Puppy in your puppy's crate, at their spot on the couch, or even in their bed!
6. Get their food ready.
Reach out to your breeder, or rescue, to find out what food your pup is already eating. It is never a good idea to abruptly switch up their food. Grab a bag of their kibble and if you plan on switching to a new food, check with your vet! Switching their food is a 7–10-day gradual process of mixing both the old and new kibble and weaning them off their original kibble slowly.
7. Have fun!
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting. Soak up the fun and set aside time for you and your family to bond with your new furry family member.
Follow these tips and your pup will be ready to spend their lifetime with you. For more tips, check out our blog and visit www.snugglepuppy.com for all of your pup’s essentials!
