The Complete New Puppy Checklist

Getting a new puppy isn't cheap.

Not only do you need to pay for the puppy itself, but you also need to consider how you will cover the costs of their essentials, veterinary care, and the ongoing expenses of feeding and raising a puppy.

Pet insurance rarely covers the costs of new puppy care, such as vaccinations, neutering, and microchipping, so you need to be prepared to pay out of pocket for these essential vet visits.

A new puppy is a commitment, not just when you bring them home, but for the rest of their life. You will need to dedicate a lot of time to ensure your puppy has company, entertainment, exercise, training, and more as they grow into adults.

Puppies shouldn’t be left home alone for more than 2 hours at a time, so you’ll need to be home a lot during the first few months, which can be tricky if you need to leave the house for work.

While doggy daycares and pet sitting can be great options for owners of adult dogs, young puppies should not be around dogs from other households until at least 2 weeks after their last vaccination to ensure they’re protected.

Regardless of the breed you choose, you need to ensure you have the space to accommodate a puppy, and then the adult dog they will grow into.

Garden access isn’t a deal-breaker for all potential dog owners, but if you don’t have one, you need to consider where your dog can go to the bathroom (and puppies go a lot).

You also need to consider if you have space for everything your puppy needs, if there are other people or animals in the house who might not appreciate the new addition, and how you will puppy-proof your home to keep them safe.

There is more to raising a dog than just feeding and playing with them, and researching these needs beforehand is essential for any potential dog owner.

No two dogs are the same, so you not only need to understand how to care for a dog in the broad sense, but also how to care for the specific dog you’re bringing home.

If your puppy is purebred, you need to understand their breed’s nutritional and exercise needs, plus any potential purebred dog health issues they may be prone to.

If your puppy is a crossbreed or you’re unsure of their breed, you need to be prepared for the potential combination of traits they might inherit (such as their full-grown size, prey drive, coat type, and more) and adjust their care accordingly.

First impressions matter, and when it comes to introducing a new puppy to existing dogs, there are some key things you can do to help them get off on the right paw, such as:

• Start with them seperate - have your puppy set up in a different room to your existing dog to allow them to have their own space before meeting.
• Remove food and toys from the area - existing dogs can get defensive over what they consider "theirs", leading to conflicts. You want meeting to be a positive experience for both dogs.
• Choose somewhere neutral - this could be your garden or a short walk from the home (somewhere with little to no dog traffic if your puppy isn't vaccinated) and have both your dog and puppy on separate leads.
• Let them investigate - while on lead, let your dog and your puppy sniff and investigate one another. If either dog is nervous or boistrous, take a break to let them explore the area separately.
• Give them space - back at home, let your dog and puppy be together in the same room, but make sure to have boundaries in place (such as a stair gate) to allow your dog and puppy to be easily seperated if needed.
• Supervise their time - don't leave your dog and puppy alone together unsupervised too soon. Puppies can be a nuisance to older dogs, and older dogs might not know how gently to play to with their new friend.

All dogs are different. Some dogs thrive with a new puppy play-mate while others need some time to get used to the idea. Just be patient, and if you're really struggling, speak with your vet for advice introducing dogs to puppies.

Yes, an adult dog can be jealous of a new puppy, and why wouldn't they be? Bringing home a new puppy is a big change in routine, which be stressful by itself. Plus, your existing dog won't understand why you're giving so much attention to a dog that isn't them.

Jealousy in dogs isn't the same as it is in humans, and bringing a new puppy home can leave your existing dog feeling their place in the home is threatned, causing jealous behaviours, such as:

• Growling at the new puppy
• Guarding toys, food, or people
• Putting themself between you and the new puppy

While this isn't too troubling initially, if not managed properly, your dog's jealousy could lead to a negative relationship between them and the new puppy, or even develop into an anxiety order or aggression.

If your puppy is under 10 weeks old, you shouldn't leave them home alone as it can be very distressing to them so soon after leaving their mother and litter mates. Puppies need to learn that being alone is okay, and this takes time.

Leaving your new puppy alone too soon (or for too long) can also result in:

• Toileting accidents - puppies have much smaller bladders than adult dogs and haven't learned to hold it in when inside.
• Destructive behaviours - puppies still have a lot to learn, and without supervision may chew or destroy things.
• Separation anxiety - leaving a new puppy alone too soon can be distressing, and could develop into separation anxiety if not properly handled.

Every puppy is different, and how they cope with being alone will depend on several factors. On their website, FRONTLINE explains, "you can use your puppy’s age as a rough guide to how long they can be left alone for."

• 8-10 weeks: Maximum 1 hour
• 10-12 weeks: Maximum 2 hours
• 3-6 months: Maximum 3 hours
• 6-12 months: Maximum 4 hours

Rememeber, learning to be alright when left alone takes time, and every puppy will handle it differently. Just make sure to take things slow and see how your puppy reacts after being alone for a few minutes. If there are no signs of stress, you can reward them and continue to build up the time they're left.

Yes, new puppies can go outside, but with some restrictions.

A puppy's immune system is not as developed as that of an adult dog, and before they're vaccinated, they are at risk of contracting a number of nasty diseases that can be detrimental to their health, such as:

• Canine Distemper
• Canine Parvovirus
• Leptospirosis
• Parainfluenza
• Kennel Cough

Before your puppy has been vaccinated, they can go out in the garden at home (just make sure it's clear of any fox or cat poo) straight away.

New puppies can't go on walks until they're fully vaccinated, but you can also carry your puppy while outside to introduce them to new smells, sounds, and experiences, which is great for their socilaisation.

Your puppy is considered "safe" to go outside like any other dog two weeks after their second (or third, in some cases) vaccination injection. After this time, you can start getting your puppy used to going on walks and being around other dogs in the area.

Every puppy is different, and how long it takes for them to adjust will depend on a number of factors, like their temperment, history, and breed.

Generally speaking, puppies can take between 2-3 weeks to adjust to being in a new home and learn their new routine. Within 1-3 months, you should start to notice signs that your new puppy is adjusting, such as:

• Relaxed body language
• A good, healthy appetite
• Curiosity and wanting to explore
• Bonding with household members
• Responding to their name
• Smoother sleep patterns

Puppies all adjust at their own pace, and you can help with the initial stress by using a puppy calming aid. If you're at all concerned about your new puppy's adjustment, contact your vet for advice.