So you think you’re ready for an addition to the family and want a new puppy.  You’ve thought about how much fun you would have together, going for walks or running in the park just down the road.  You’ve identified where he’s going to sleep and what his bed is going to look like. You’ve even got some toys for him to play with. Yep, you’ve thought it all through and you’re going to get him tomorrow. But have you?

Having a new puppy is like having a new baby. It needs a lot of love and attention. After all, it’s coming into a new place and having to get used to doing things in a different way. That initial settling in period may be a bit difficult and you and your family have got to be prepared for that. The experts say that taking some timeout with the rest of the family and talking about what it would feel like to have someone else in the family to take care of and the adjustments you all have to make is often very helpful.

You’ve all agreed to chip in and take care of him and by this I mean feeding him, giving him his bath, playing with him so he gets lots of exercise and stimulation and taking him for regular walks so you don’t have little accidents in the house. Well that’s the basics taken care of but let’s not forget the rest. Puppies need to remain physically healthy as well so regular visits to the vets need to be arranged.

A new puppy should be seen by the vet at least every 3 or 4 months in the first year or two to make sure their growing healthily and part of this means they get their shots when they are due and any illnesses are detected early.  Don’t forget to report any odd behaviour or irregularities of eating patterns etc to your vet immediately. Vet bills can be expensive so getting pet insurance is a necessity.

To make sure your new puppy and your family have a harmonious life together it is necessary to build a routine that works for everyone. Some families may find it difficult to train their puppy and may need extra help from a trainer. Talking to other dog owners and maybe your vet can help you to find a good trainer.

Lots of families like to take their puppies along on family holidays and events. This can bring up a lot of issues such as dog passports, travel crates, travel vaccinations, accommodation issues and quarantine to name a few. To alleviate some of these difficulties some families choose to leave their puppies at home and if this is the case there are a few options to make sure your new puppy is well taken care of whilst you’re away such as dog sitters, kennels, family friends or relatives.

Suddenly getting that new puppy doesn’t sound so easy, but with some thought and preparation it is manageable and a happy puppy and family will be the reality.