Caring for your puppy

Bringing a puppy home is very exciting, but you need to ensure that you are prepared for the new member of the family. This means knowing what to buy for the puppy and how to make your home safe. You want your puppy’s first day in his new home to be an easy and comfortable transition..

What does your puppy need? Keep the following checklist in mind:

Collar – one that isn’t tight so it will be comfortable for the puppy

Leash – Find a leash that is retractable. This will allow you to control the amount of freedom you give your Jack Russell puppy when you walk him. This leash is also a good tool for training.

Food and water bowls – stainless steel is recommended as plastic bowls can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Dog bed or pillow and/or blanket – you want your new puppy to be comfortable. Just make sure you pick him up the size that is necessary for the breed, small sized beds that are “18x”23, or small pillows “30 – “36.

Food – While there are many different, good dog food brands available on the market, when you first bring your puppy home, you will want to feed him the same food he was being given by the breeder, rescue shelter, etc. You want to make the transition into a new home as easy for the puppy as possible. Providing him with the same food will help.

Treats – Every dog, regardless of his age loves a good dog treat. Treats can also help keep a new puppy happy. However, you shouldn’t feed your new puppy more than a couple of treats. The object is to make him feel happy, not to buy his love and attention with goodies.

Toys – Purchase a few chew toys, a ball and a small safe and durable plush toy for your new puppy. He may not be interested in the toys at first, but you should show him each one and let him examine them, so he knows they are his.

Now that you know what you need to welcome your puppy into your home, the following are other aspects you should keep in mind to ensure that his welcoming is a smooth, easy process.

Free Your Calendar
The best time to bring home your puppy home is at the beginning of a weekend. If you work, it is also a good idea to take off a few days and arrange to have him brought home then. This will give you adequate time to help your puppy adjust to his new home, make friends with him and start his training.

Get Everyone Involved
Make sure that everyone in the family is aware of the day that your puppy will be arriving. Remind children to cool their excitement and make sure they understand that the puppy needs to adjust to his new home and surroundings. Teach them how to play or pick up the puppy gently, and tell them to leave the puppy alone when he is sleeping, or in his bed.