Preparing, Training Tips, and Shopping for Your New Puppy

There’s nothing quite as exciting as a brand-new puppy! You may have already done some research, but still have no idea where to start when it comes to potty training, leash training, and taking care of your new pup. At BrilliantK9, we want you to be completely prepared for welcoming your new pup hone and feel comfortable taking care of them for those first 16 weeks. These tips will hopefully help you feel ready to take care of your pup and keep yourself stress-free while doing it. At least until they pee on your carpet!

The Right Age to Get a New Puppy

In order to start your new pup checklist, you want to know when your new puppy will be joining your family. Some evidence suggests that your pup’s age when you bring them home does make a difference. Most breeds should not be sold before they are 8 to 10 weeks of age. Waiting until they are this age helps ensure several things, including:

• The puppy is old enough and ready to leave it’s mother, physically as well as emotionally.
• You have plenty of time to integrate the pup into your family and get ready for its arrival.
• It gives you time to begin socializing and habituating them into your lifestyle and needs.

There are some breeders, especially toy dog breeders, who like to wait until their pups are 12 weeks old before rehoming them. This works well, if the breeder is responsible and actively socializing the pups and teaching them some of the ropes of life. Feel free to ask a breeder why they want to keep them longer, if they suggest it. This can be useful information.

10 Essentials You Need to Prepare for Your New Puppy

Your new puppy will need some essentials to make sure they are comfortable in their new home. You’ll also need a few things for training your pup. Here are 15 must-have items for your shopping list.

1. A Quality Dog Crate. A dog crate is one of the most useful tools you can have when you are training a new puppy. It can help when you are toilet training and if you just want them to be in a place where they feel safe when they want to rest. BrilliantK9 has numerous dog crates and crate covers to choose from. You’ll definitely want to get one before you bring your pup home.

2. Comfortable Bedding. Take your time choosing a bed and bedding for your new puppy. It’s up to you whether you want to put the bedding in the crate or provide a different place for them to sleep in the house. Opt for items that are washable, soft, and snuggly.
3. Food and Water Bowls. Puppies need access to fresh water all the time. Look for a bowl that won’t tip easily, since puppies sometimes eat like they are starving to death, even though they are not. Check with your vet about how often and how much your new pup needs to eat when you first bring them home.
4. Puppy Food. Talk to the breeder or your vet before you go purchase your pup’s food. Sometimes, the breeder will give you a day or two worth of food, so they don’t get an upset tummy. Talk to the breeder and the vet to see what type and how much food your pup breed needs.
5. Puppy Pads. Having puppy pads on hand are a good idea until you can get your pup trained to go outside. They can be useful for protecting your flooring, and they make it easier to clean up while your puppy is learning to wait to go outside.
6. Leash and Harness. You’ll want to start getting your pup used to going for walks early on. Having a leash and harness on hand will ensure you can start training them to exercise when they first come home. Make sure to get a size that is appropriate for your dog’s breed. At BrilliantK9, we customize harnesses to ensure it fits your pup perfectly.
7. ID Tags or Chips. Make sure your dog makes it home if they were to get loose from you while you were out walking them. Having them chipped, or using an ID tags is a helpful tool that ensures you can be found should you unfortunately get separated from your new puppy.
8. Adjustable Leash. Your puppy is going to grow faster than you may expect. They don’t have to wear their leashes all the time. An adjustable puppy leash gives them plenty of room to grow and is easy to use when training a new puppy.
9. Puppy Toys. Get your new pup a variety of toys. Include some puzzle toys and a few chew toys.
10. Training Treats. There are a lot of options when it comes to training treats for your new pup. You’ll want to choose something you are sure they will like. You may want a couple of different types of doggie training treats.

What You’ll Need for New Puppy Training

Training a new puppy can be a lot of fun, but it can also be tiring. Training that is led by positive reinforcement can be beneficial for you and your pup. Start by thinking about what types of behaviors you want them to have as an adult dog. You may have a lot of ideas, but here are a few things you will want to be sure to include in their puppy regimen.

• Responding to their name.
• Coming when called.
• Walking nicely on a leash or lead.
• Leaving items when you tell them too.
• Dropping items when instructed.
• Settling down on their mat or blanket.

These should all be started and addressed during the pup’s first 16 weeks. You’ll also want to consider habituation and socialization. Early training is important if you want to ensure your pup grows into a confident, smart, and well-mannered adult dog. The more in depth your training, the faster they will learn to adapt to various situations and scenarios without stressing out or being worried.

Will My New Puppy Need Puppy Training Classes?

If you feel like you need help, training your pup, you may want to add finding a good puppy training class to your checklist. They offer you as the puppy owner a lot of value, including:

• You learn how to handle and train your puppy.
• You will get feedback and access to a professional trainer.
• You can meet other owners of puppies and start building your own support network.
• You’ll get to practice with your puppy in an environment that can be distracting.

There are a lot of benefits from working with a local puppy trainer. But do you do if you need quick advice or can’t get to a class? There are many useful puppy training apps that can help. For example, One Mind Dogs offers online training and assistance as needed. This is extremely beneficial during the first 16 weeks while you want to establish a good base. You may find it beneficial to use a little bit of both during the initial training stage.

You can get some of your dog training equipment and supplies from BrilliantK9. Our products are fully customizable. You can embroider your dog’s name on cloth products such as harnesses and create covers. We also carry numerous harnesses and can ensure you get the right size for your pup. You can personalize it with patches, your pup’s name, or another saying you use with your dog a lot. Let us know how we can help you find the high-quality products you need to give your pup a great new start.