Puppy Shopping LIst

The bed should be comfortable and secure. Ideally, washable and resistant to sharp puppy teeth. The perfect location of the bed is in a quiet, draught free area in order to allow the puppy to relax and feel safe. 

Bowl size should be matched to puppy’s current size so he can eat and drink comfortably without accidentally walking or falling into his food or water.

For the first couple of weeks stick to the food that the puppy was fed by the Rescue Centre / breeder. A sudden change in diet can cause tummy upsets and diarrhoea.

Read More in ‘Puppy Feeding’

Regular coat care can provide many long term benefits...

• It keeps the coat in a good condition
• It allows you to spot any skin problems, growths or injuries at an early stage
• It will help you develop an even stronger bond with your puppy
• It will get your puppy used to handling
  

Read More in ‘Handling’

Regular tooth care can prevent huge vet bills in the future. Getting your puppy happy with having his teeth brushed whilst he is young and open to new experiences will prove well worth while for you both!

Make it part of fun and playtime!

Clipping puppy's nails ensure they remain comfortable for walking. Getting your puppy comfortable with nail clipping - with lots of praise and reward for calm behaviour - will pay dividends when he needs nail clipping as an adult!

If you feel uncomfortable clipping your puppy's nails speak with your vet.

There is a huge variety of puppy toys available. Toys for puppies must be durable to resist those sharp puppy teeth. Choose a selection of

• interactive toys for you to play with the puppy
• toys that encourage the puppy to entertain himself for a while -

Chew toys are indispensable for the teething phase.

Rotate your puppy's toys to keep them interesting and fresh.

Teach Early Learning ‘Exchanging stuff’ 

Include a lightweight collar and lead in your shopping list.

Although you won’t take your puppy for lead walks until X weeks, use them around the house to get puppy used to them. 

When used properly, crates can be a godsend. They keep puppy safe when you can’t supervise him and - with his bed, toys and water in them - provide a safe and quiet haven for him when he needs rest from the hustle and bustle of a busy household. They also keep him safe in the car.

When buying a crate bear in mind the puppy’s expected size when fully grown - puppies grow fast and you don’t want to buy a larger crate every month.

You’ll find advice on how to introduce the crate as a happy place for your puppy in Crate training