A new puppy - congratulations... what an exciting time!

You did it. You made the life-changing decision to give a puppy a forever home. We're really proud of you, it's going to be an exciting and fulfilling journey.

From the cuddles and cute moments to the farts and the 3am wake up calls, owning a puppy comes with rewards and new responsibilities. We're here for you every step of the way to ensure your pup gets the best start in life.

Whether you've brought them home already or are preparing to adopt, it's important to get all the essentials well in advance. Puppy proof your house and make sure their environment is both safe and comfortable. Create an area that is just for them such as a laundry or study where you can train them to sleep, and keep them contained during training. Wherever you set up this space, be sure to always provide them with fresh water and good ventilation.

Food & Home Essentials:

Nutrition and development are integral in the first 12 months of their life. To help make sure you've got the right food and treats, we've provided some suggestions. These will play an important part in finding a routine and teaching good behaviours. Stocking up on essentials like pee pads and shampoos is a great idea to prepare for the clean up after little (or not so little) accidents.

FOOD & TREATS

Puppy and breed specific foods are the most popular choices for new puppy parents, although if you're not sure where to start then check out our wide range of options. Grain free, single protein and gluten free diets are available too.

HOME & PUPPY ESSENTIALS

Puppy-proofing your home can create a safe environment for everybody. Make sure there's space for pee pads seperate to food bowls and beds. Ensure sharp corners, wires and cords are covered up and don't forget to hide your shoes!!

Toys & Sleeping Needs:

If you don't want to end up with a crowded bed, it's important to lay down the law from day one. Teach your puppy to sleep in their own, ultra-cosy bed by using toys and snuggler beds which will encourage them to sleep through the night and stay warm and cosy. Toys are important for behavioural and skill training because they can be both a reward and a comforter.

TOYS & ENTERTAINMENT

Training your puppy takes patience and lots of rewards. Toys are important to reinforce learning in your new pup. Toys can also be a boredom buster to keep them occupied throughout the day.

BEDS & SLEEPING

After a long day of being a puppy, it's important to get a good night's sleep. Try looking for beds in the size that your puppy will be when they're full grown so that the bed can last for a few solid years.

Puppy Checklist:

Ok we've covered off on a few things so far. So to make it easy, we've compiled a list of the must-haves for your new pup. It's a bunch of stuff you'll need before your puppy home, so bookmark this page or screenshot for your own reference.

You'll want to grab the following:

• Comfortable Bed - Consider getting a flat bed and a walled bed so that they can have a place to lounge and to snuggle up.
• Food Bowl & Water Bowl - If you're getting a giant or large dog breed, you may benefit from an elevated dog bowl so they don't have to strain their neck to eat off the ground.
• Quality Food - There's a whole range of puppy specific food and breed based nutrition to explore. Have a chat to your vet if you're unsure of what to feed your pup.
• Lots of Toys - Cute comforting plush toys are a must, but you'll also need some heavy duty chew toys to handle their teething stage.
• Puppy Pee Pads - Be prepared for any little accidents, wherever they happen.
• Collar & Lead - Little adventurers aren't going to get far without a suitable lead and collar. A harness can also be great choice once the initial growth spurt start to slow.
• Training Treats - Help your new puppy learn how to behave, training treats can be used as a reward to encourage the behavior you want!

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Looking for more information? Check out our blogs below, or head on over to our blog for some extra inspiration and great tips.

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There's one very important thing we didn't mention. Don't forget to have fun!

Your pupper will become a doggo right before your own eyes. Take hundreds of photos and videos of them to capture the special memories you both have during puppyhood.