How to Get Ready for a Small-Breed Puppy

Congratulations, you're getting a small-breed puppy. Now that you are planning to bring the pup home, you need to be sure that you are ready for your new arrival. Puppies are indeed wonderful, but you are going to have to prepare your home for a new puppy. That means having all the supplies necessary to take care of your pup and making sure that your house is puppy proofed to ensure a safe environment.

Step 1

Purchase food and toys from a pet supply store or internet store. Look for toys made from rugged materials that can withstand chewing. Do not purchase toys with small, removable pieces that your puppy can choke on.

Step 2

Puppy-proof your home. Get down on your hands and knees and look around for electrical cords, knickknacks that could fall on your puppy and toxic products that your puppy might be able to ingest. Put trash cans behind closed doors.

Step 3

Puppy-proof your backyard. Enclose the yard with a fence that a small dog can't squeeze under or through. Remove any sharp objects and poisonous plants in the backyard. Keep swimming pools and other dangerous attractions enclosed.

Step 4

Block areas where your puppy can get trapped. Small dogs can quickly squeeze into tiny spaces that are dangerous or even deadly.

Step 5

Contact the veterinarian of your choice and make an appointment so your puppy can be checked out to ensure that its healthy. Be sure to bring any vaccination and health records from the breeder or shelter.

Things You'll Need

Crate

Stainless steel puppy bowls

Puppy food

Enzymatic cleaner

Collar

Leash

Puppy toys

Pet gates

Phone

Vaccination and health records

Tips

Always buy your puppy from either a reputable breeder or adopt your puppy from a shelter or breed rescue.

Some pet owners find that keeping a puppy in a couple of rooms is easier than giving the puppy full run of the house.

Contact the breeder or shelter and find out what kind of food the breeder or shelter is feeding so that your can continue the diet and gradually change to another puppy food if desired.

Warnings

Never allow your puppy to run loose outside.

Reference

Margaret H. Bonham, "Bring Me Home: Dogs Make Great Pets," 2005.

Resource

ASPCA Toxic and Non-toxic Plants