10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Bringing Home My Puppy
Bringing home your first puppy is such an exciting time! But with all the puppy snuggles comes a lot of unknown territory for new pet parents. Puppy parenting is full of trial and error, stress, and overwhelming feelings. Before bringing home your new furry friend, there’s a lot you need to consider and plan for. Today I’m sharing 10 things I wish I knew before bringing home my first puppy.
1. You’re Going to be Stuck at Home
One thing that many new pet parents don’t consider is the amount of time you’ll have to spend at home those first few months of your puppies life. Unlike adult dogs, puppies need frequent bathroom breaks, a lot of quality time with their owners, and constant attention to stay out of trouble.
After bringing home your puppy, plan to spend plenty of time at home for the first month or two. Of course, most working adults don’t get get “puppy leave” from their jobs, however, you should try to arrange to have a few days off when you first bring them home.
The first few months of owning your puppy is critical time for bonding and training. Avoid weekend trips, vacations, and even long nights out to spend that quality time with your new furry friend.
2. Be Prepared
If you’ve never owned a dog before you may be unaware of just how many supplies they need. Be sure to purchase everything you’ll need for your puppy before you bring them home. I have a full “new puppy checklist” already up on the blog but some of the most important supplies include:
- Collar, leash, harness, and name tag
- Puppy food – puppies require puppy specific food. Adult dog food does not contain all the nutrients they need to grow
- Toys
- Training treats
- First aid supplies
Make sure you have everything you need before you bring home your puppy so you aren’t stressed and stuck without it later.
3. Don’t Shop at Chain Pet Stores
You may think the obvious first stop for puppy supplies is a pet store chain such as Petsmart or Petco but new dog parents should skip the big box pet stores. Stores such as Petsmart sell supplies for extremely high prices and you’ll end up spending way more than you should.
Check out your local Home Goods or TJ Maxx. These stores have huge pet sections with everything ranging from toys to treats to collars and leashes for incredible deals. chewy.com and Amazon are also great places to shop for pet supplies. Chewy specifically has huge brands and every supply you’ll ever need for fantastic prices.
4. Puppies Can’t Go Out in Public
Typically, puppies aren’t considered fully vaccinated until 16 weeks of age. Until that point, your puppy cannot touch the ground in public locations. Dog parks, pet stores, and even your neighborhood sidewalks are dangerous for unvaccinated puppies.
The biggest concern with unvaccinated puppies is parvovirus. Parvovirus is a virus that spreads through dogs feces and can live on surfaces and in the soil forever. If an infected dog pooped on the grass 20 years ago, the virus can still be alive in the soil and infect unvaccinated dogs. Parvovirus is incredibly contagious and is often fatal in puppies.
Work with your vet to get your puppy on a vaccine schedule that works for them. Your puppy will likely need multiple vaccine boosters before they are protected enough for public places. Until then, keep your pup inside and only around dogs that you know are healthy and vaccinated.
5. Start Training Immediately
There’s no denying that puppies are cute. Puppy dog eyes are real and it’s easy to give into everything your dog wants because of it. However, remember that your tiny puppy is one day going to be a full grown dog and therefore training is a must. Anything you don’t want your adult dog doing should be corrected when they’re puppies.
Puppy bites seem harmless, but adult dog bites are not. Chasing a puppy who stole your shoe is cute, but when they’re bigger and faster than you, it won’t be so much fun. As soon as your puppy comes home correct any “bad” behavior to avoid them in the future.
6. Socialize, Socialize, Socialize
While breed characteristics can play a large part in your dogs behavior, everything they’re exposed to as a puppy plays an equal part. Expose your puppy to any and everything from day one. Your dog should experience all different types of animals, people and places before their first birthday.
7. You’re Going to Be Exhausted
Puppies are really unlikely to sleep during the night the first week or so at home. Imagine being taken from your mom and siblings and brought to a strange home with new people that you’ve never met before. It’s scary for a puppy to go to their new home! You’re likely going to be woken up frequently at night by a crying puppy and you’re going to be tired. Luckily, it doesn’t take long for puppies to adapt and form a routine. Within a few weeks you should be back to those 8 hours of sleep.
Puppies also can’t go all night without using the bathroom like adult dogs so be prepared to take them out for bathroom breaks once or twice every night until they’re older.
8. They’re Expensive
Puppies cost a lot of money. Plan to spend a few hundred dollars on supplies and even more on vet bills. The first year of your dogs life is full of a ton of vet appointments for vaccines and check ups to ensure they’re healthy. Getting them spayed or neutered is another few hundred dollars you’ll have to spend.
Puppy food, crates, toys, and other supplies add up quickly. And if you want to enroll your pup in training classes, that’s going to cost you a pretty penny.
Getting a puppy is a huge financial decision that should not be taken lightly. If you don’t have the funds to provide your pup with everything they’re going to need, it might be better to wait until you’re in the proper place financially.
9. Everyone will have an Opinion
One thing I wish I had been more prepared for when bringing home my puppy was all the unwarranted opinions from those around me. Family, friends, and even strangers are going to have opinions on the way you raise your puppy. While many of these opinions come from a place of love and wanting the best for you and your puppy – it can be annoying.
Just know that only you and your vet can truly determine what is best for your puppy and as long as they are healthy and well cared for, you’re doing just fine.
10. Your Whole Life is Going to Change
Bringing home a puppy will change your entire life for the foreseeable future. You’ll no longer be able to go on a spontaneous trip or stay out all night. You’ll always have to have a pet sitter for vacations and time blocked out in your day for walks. Your clothing and furniture will forever be covered in fur and dog food is always going to be on your grocery list.
Despite all the work that owning a puppy can be, it can be incredibly rewarding. I mean, they aren’t called mans best friend for no reason!
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.