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Puppy checklist

puppy checklist

When bringing a puppy home for the first time it’s important to have a puppy checklist at the ready to ensure you have everything that you need to get your new puppy settled in. We have listed here some puppy essentials to get you started.

Dog collar and Identity Tag

A recent study by Nottingham University (UK), has shown that walking a dog from the traditional collar and lead can cause damage to your puppy or dog’s delicate throat area. Puppies or dog’s that pull on the lead showed worryingly similar effects to that of a tourniquet and so, we suggest a collar for ID purposes only.

Puppy Harness

There are many harnesses on the market but Halti will have products perfectly suited for every stage in your dog’s life. A harness will not only offer more comfort for your puppy but more security for and control for you.

Dog Lead

All dogs need to learn to walk on a lead even if you are fortunate enough to live in a rural area where restricted walks are rarely necessary; family situations can change in a dog’s lifetime so even if your dog never needs to be walked on lead now, it is a good idea to teach them to accept it for the future. Your puppy will also need to be on a lead for visits to the vets, boarding kennels, groomers etc.

Dog House Line

A dog house line is simply a long, lightweight lead that can be left trailing from your puppy’s collar or harness, ideally the line should not have a loop in the end as this will increase the likelihood of it becoming caught up. House lines also need to be longer than most standard leads to be effective (2.5 metres is ideal). The Company of Animals Puppy Training Line is perfect!

Dog Training Treats and Rewards

It is often easier to start the training with treats before you attempt to use a toy; toys often over stimulate puppies initially making it harder for him to concentrate and learn. Coachies Training Rewards for Puppies are delicious and only 2 calories each! 

Dog Grooming Supplies Specifically For Puppies 

Your puppy’s skin will, much like a baby, be more sensitive than an adult dog and so it’s important to keep them clean and healthy. Pet Head Puppy Fun is formulated with vitamin C, jojoba oil, shea butter and safflower oil to nourish your pups delicate skin! Also, yummy orange fragrance that everyone loves!

Treat Dispensing Dog Toy

Contrary to many other dog toys, these ‘toys’ are not just for fun they are actually an important part of our puppy training programme. All puppies will chew; they need to in order to exercise their jaw and encourage correct development of their teeth. With this in mind, why not set your puppy up for success by providing them with a multitude of entertaining chew items rather than allow them to learn to chew your personal belongings? Kong and Green are great for this!

Puppy Toys

Puppy toys are an important item to keep your puppy entertained, interacting and using their brain. Our expertly designed Coachi range was developed by Dr Roger Mugford and his team of training & behaviour specialists at the Company of Animals Pet Centre, who have been helping dogs and creating unique product solutions since 1979. The range is focused on training through positive learning experiences, helping to create a loving bond between you and your dog. 

Dog Bed

A dog bed is required to give your puppy a safe space to relax and sleep both during the day and at night. If you are hoping to have your puppy sleep in their bed at night, it’s important to have a dog bed for when you bring them home to get them used to it before the sleep training commences!

Here’s a few other essentials to make sure you have at the ready when bringing your new puppy home:

Find more puppy tips on puppy training, exercise and much more on our blog page!

Fiona Whelan ~ Pet Behaviourist

Fiona has been working at the Training and Behaviour Centre as a behaviour specialist since 2002, and previously ran her own training and behaviour establishment in Lincolnshire for seven years so has a wealth of experience as a behaviour counsellor.