Barking up the right tree: The ulti-mutt new puppy guide
Considering diving snout-first into the whirlwind world of wet noses and wagging tails?
Welcome to the bark side.
Puppy parenthood is an exciting time – but only if you’ve properly planned and prepared for your new pooch.
Otherwise, your pup will zoomie circles around you.
That’s why we put together the ultimate puppy guide – so your new hound’s homecoming can be a happy one. For pup and paw-rent alike!
What do I do before my puppy arrives?
Puppy-proof your place
Is that cord looking chewable? Is the toilet water looking drinkable? Is the doona looking diggable?
Look at your home through puppy dog eyes and remove anything that could be claws for concern. For your pup’s – and your wallet’s – sake!
Book in at your local vet clinic
Puppies may think they’re tough, but they’re actually little balls of fluff – who hate to feel ruff.
That’s why they need a dog-tor to keep them happy and healthy.
So as soon as you decide to get a puppy, start booking in for vaccination, de-worming, microchipping and – cover your ears, furry friends – desexing.
Purchase pooch products
When you and your puppy first lay eyes on each other, it’ll be love at first sight. And if you’re holding a collection of chew toys and yummy treats – it’ll be love at first bite, too.
What do I do when I bring my puppy home?
Get into routine
Whether it’s trotting to Star-barks for their 9am puppuccino or zooming to the dog park for their daily dig, all dogs thrive on routine.
Your puppy is no different, especially considering they’re still settling into a whole new environment!
So from wake-up to walkies, breakfast to bedtime and toileting to training – try to prepare your pooch for their new lifestyle with a predictable daily plan.
Pamper your pooch
If you asked your puppy, they’d say “Matted hair. Don’t care.”
But the funny thing is, if you asked the parasites that want to make your hound’s hind their home, they’d say the same thing!
That’s why you need to get your puppy used to being groomed right from the start. We’re talking full doggy day spa: washing, brushing and clipping for their body, ears and nails.
Take the time to train
Without proper training, your pooch will be more suited to Jurassic Bark than the living room.
And while a dino-dog would be fun, they wouldn’t be particularly happy, social or confident.
But if you take the time to teach them everything from basic commands to crate use, you’ll have the classiest, most caring and contented pooch in all the land – we Shih Tzu not.
Choose the perfect name
Some would ask, ‘What’s in a name?’ Others need a name that’s fit for royalty.
Whatever your stance, here are some pup-ular dog name ideas for your new pooch:
| Traditional Terriers | Dignified Doggos | Hungry Hounds | Powerful Pups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella | Ace | Coco | Thor |
| Max | Stella | Milo | Nova |
| Zoe | Winston | Ginger | Loki |
| Charlie | Lady | Oreo | Xena |
| Daisy | Duke | Honey | Bandit |
New Puppy Checklist
Every great puppy school needs great revision.
So to help you study up on your basic bark-eology, we’ve summarised all the main things you need to do – before you welcome your puppy home – in a handy-dandy list:
✓ Hit the books: What should your puppy eat? How much? How often? What do you buy for a new puppy? What are some common characteristics of your pup’s breed? Get your Sherlock Bones on – and find some answers!
✓ Register with a vet: Go for a walkies around your area and check out the local vet clinics. You never know when your pooch is going to have a ruff day.
✓ Look into pet insurance: With benefits like financial protection, peace of mind and quality care, you’d be bark-ing mad not to invest in your pet.
✓ Make a training plan: From commands to crate training, barking to biting, and walking to weeing – your puppy padawan has much to learn. So get ready to teach! But only start training when your pooch is 8–12 weeks old (whether it’s at-home training or puppy school).
✓ All play, some work: Those little buckets of free time you have throughout the week? Start scheduling cuddles, fetch and walkies instead. You’re living that pug life, now.
✓ Stock up your supplies: It’s time for some re-tail therapy. And on the hit list? Grooming products, walking gear, dog beds, food and water bowls, chew toys and maybe even a crate – go mutts!
✓ Whet your appetite: Wet food and dry food and treats, oh my! Get your new pooch all their favourite foods, with a box of earl grey-hound to wash it down.
✓ Prepare for (clean-up) duty: Puppies are cute, but they’re not clean. So you may want to stock-up on the spray and wipe – especially for the toilet training days!
✓ Puppy-proof your home: Be on the lookout for Great Dane-ger – put electrical cords, cleaning products, medicines and sharp objects out of paw’s length. And when it comes to couches, rugs and chairs, do what you can to batten down the hatches.
✓ Find some furry friends: Socialisation is such an important part of a puppy’s development. So head down to the dog park and let the pack know – there’s about to be a new hound in town.
→ Free Printable New Puppy Checklist
