Congratulations on your brand new puppy... Now what? Here is a quick list of some essentials, which will help you out with your new puppy.

Choosing a Name

Finding a name, which you and your family can all agree upon, is sometimes challenging. My advice is to pick a name, which is short and clearly understandable to the dog. Do not name your dog with anything which can be mistaken for common commands ... i.e. "sit"," no" or "stay". Try to say the name as much as you can when playing with them and starting to train - so the new puppy will begin to understand. Don’t change the name after a few days either since this will only confuse the dog. Everyone needs to be consistent with what to call the puppy!

Micro Chips and a Collar

Dogs should be micro chipped as soon as possible. Microchips are inserted under the skin, can identify your dog if it ever gets los t... and do not forget to send in the paperwork to properly register your dog with the kind of Chip ... Avid, Home Alone, etc so if the dog is lost they can help in getting the dog back to your family. A collar is also an essential item in that it helps you to control your dog -- however wait until your puppy is used to his/her new home before you strap a collar on. They are often used to place identification tags as well. Don’t forget to replace the dog’s tags since they can rust and become unreadable over time.

Food and Water Bowls

All animals require food and water. So you’ll need bowls for its food and water. When it comes to picking out dog food, slowly introduce your puppy to new food by offering an undersized amount until the dog is used to it. Feeding your puppy in the crate is also a good idea that way you know exactly when to take them outside after they eat ... In addition, it is very important your dog has water available at all times. The water in its bowl needs to be clean, fresh and changed often. With a very young pup it is advisable to restrict water after 6:00 p.m. or so, as it will help with them learning bladder control and sleeping thru the night.

A Crate to Sleep, Eat and Play

It is important that your puppy has a small crate to sleep/eat and play in before you bring it home. Provide warm, comfy blankets or towels even if it is warm out since it can get cool during the night. It is also helpful to put an old T-Shirt that "smells like you or the kids" in the crate to help the new puppy get used to your small ...Initiate the dog to the area when you get home and make it fun by putting toys there too. You want to be sure the crate is in a spot which is away from wind, direct sun and rain and close to keep an eye on ... exactly where to put the carte depends on you and your lifestyle... ideally close to whatever door you want them to go to!!

Play Time

Make sure to buy dog toys and plenty of them. Toys and Chew Toys will prevent boredom and often can prevent your new dog from destroying the rest of your house. Make sure toys are non-toxic and safe. No latex toys that can be torn and small pieces swallowed. Try to only give your dog a few toys at a time. It won’t be as excited if there already is a bunch of different toys scattered around the house.

These dog supplies will most certainly help you in providing the best home/environment for your new puppy and a safe one too!!