Puppy Preparation Checklist
Picture this, you’ve just brought home this beautiful fluffy bundle of pure joy and you could stare at their wee little face all day… but then there is pee EVERYWHERE, and your hands and ankles are torn to ribbons from those tiny piranha teeth. Hrm. Puppies are great, but hard work. We've complied a comprehensive list of all the items we think you should have in preparation for your pup's arrival.
Please note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links that CCA will earn commission on if you choose to purchase through the link. We choose the products because we have tried them ourselves and truly recommend them.
CCA’s Puppy Checklist:
Lots of people get puppies without being fully prepared, and it can be a steep learning curve, so to help, we compiled a checklist for all the puppy essentials you’ll need for different aspects of puppy care:
Indoor Management:
Appropriately sized crate: your pup should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay comfortably in their crate. Too small and it is inappropriate and too large and they may have enough room to pee and poop in a corner, away from where they sleep
A tall exercise pen to create a safe space for your pup to play, puppies can climb or jump more than you may expect - in this case a taller pen is better
An indestructible leash for tether training - to deter any leash chewing while tethered
A lightweight drag-leash
Enzymatic cleaner for any accidents while you are potty training
A camera to monitor your pup when you are away from them and for separation training
Indoor Enrichment:
Food dispensing toys - puppies have a lot of energy, you’ll need safe and enriching ways to use up this energy and get them problem solving. There are lots available on the market, some of our favorites are the Ruffwear Gnawt-a-rock, Kong Wobbler, Toppl set, Snuffle mat, and Snuffle bowl.
Some toys of your choice
Training treats - we like single source proteins like Vital Essentials or Sojos (for particularly high value treats you can use boiled chicken, hotdogs or cheese, but if your pup will work for kibble, start there and increase the value as needed
Long-term chews like bully sticks or yak chews (always supervise your young pup when eating a chew)
Age appropriate dog food - you can read up on recommended dog foods on the Dog Food Advisory website here. Your Dog Advisor also has a nice run-through of what to look for and how to decipher the labelling when choosing your dog's food.
Outdoor Safety:
Martingale collar to attach relevant dog tags
Dog tag with your contact information and their microchip number
A front and back clip harness:the back clip is for attaching long line leashes and the front clip for loose leash walking. We particularly like the Freedom harness or Balance Harness
6 ft leash: for loose leash walking on the front clip and dragging behind in the house for management on the back
15-30 ft long-line: for off leash practice, walking in nature and managing in new environments. Cotton webbed or biothane work well
Husbandry:
Appropriate brush for hair type
Electric clippers if you have a dog that will need to be clipped, you do not have to groom your dog, but early socialisation to the noise and the clipper being moved around them will go a long way to make them more comfortable at the groomers
Just look at it's tiny little face though!!!!!!!!!!!
