What to Expect When You're Expecting A Puppy

So you want to get a puppy. But just like having a baby, there are a lot of things that you should be prepared for before actually getting one. Puppies can really be cute and cuddly, but at the same time, they are also a huge responsibility.

What You Should Expect

The first two days of bringing the puppy to your house can be very critical. It can all depend on the attitude of your puppy too. He can be very energetic, or very timid and shy. Puppies that get too excited, nervous or even those that had just separated from their mother could possibly have a hard time trying to get used to their new environment. So be prepared for a lot of barking and whining for the first two days. Eventually as he starts to get used to the new environment he will learn to calm down. You should also expect some "accidents" around the house, so prepare for cleaning materials as well.

If you're puppy happens to be an energetic furball, then most likely you need to watch over your dog more than you probably realize. You should also make sure that your house is "puppy-proof".

Preparing Your Home

Puppies are generally very curious with their surroundings, so they will try to get a bite on anything that they find interesting. So be sure to check electrical cords around the house. Nobody wants a fried puppy right? Try to prevent them from going to rooms that have loose cords or as much as possible, use cord guards.

Puppies also love running around. So secure objects that are breakable. Vases, glasses, and lamps are just a few examples of what you should keep away from your dog. Breaking these things will not only create mess, but it can also be a potential threat to your puppy. He may end up having glass stuck in its paws or ingesting these objects that can cause internal problems.

Speaking of ingesting things, medications should be out of their reach as well. Just like kids or babies, you wouldn't want them to eat anything that can be harmful or fatal. Store medications in places where you know your puppy won't be able to reach.

One last thing, it may also be wise to purchase a baby gate for your puppy. If there are certain places that you don't want your puppy to go into, baby gates will be a great help.

Keep in mind, before you bring a puppy home, you need to buy him a lot of toys for entertainment, a bed, and of course, food and water dishes should already be prepared. If you're puppy can find entertainment with his own toys, then he will be less inclined to chew up all of your stuff.

Christina Graham has been a veterinarian surgery tech and/or dog groomer for over 15 years. And in those years has gained an invaluable knowledge regarding all aspects of dogs. That's why she created The Daily Pooch, a daily blog dedicated to dog lovers. She posts regular updates on all aspects of your dog's life from training to health and nutrition and everything in between. Head over to TheDailyPooch.com to see what it's all about.