Make sure that you speak with the breeder or previous owner to determine the type of food your puppy is already eating. When looking at dog food brands, the first step should always be to read the ingredients label. Sometimes it's difficult to get past the cute puppy pictures on the label or the great marketing messages, but resist those urges and check the label first. Ingredients are listed in the order of what is most in the product. Do your best to avoid products where food fillers such as grains like wheat and corn are listed first. While they help make up the content and size of the kibble, they don't really help your pet other than making them feel that they are "full." Dogs are meat eaters. Ideally you want products where proteins and meats are listed first. Avoid chemicals and preservatives. Try to avoid by-products - made up of items such as the ears, hooves and other parts of animals that aren't typically used for consumption. You must also consider price.

We recommend Drs. Foster & Smith
Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food Formula

* Healthy recipe puppy food formulated with wholesome natural ingredients

* High-quality premium protein helps keep your growing dog healthy and active

* Essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants promote strong bones, teeth, and healthy body systems

* Fatty acids help keep skin healthy and coat soft & shiny

* No artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors, or by-products

Drs. Foster & Smith Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food Formula will sustain your puppy's high energy and demanding nutritional needs. It contains delicious real chicken, whole wholesome brown rice, and whole fresh fruits and vegetables.
These healthy ingredients help ensure proper overall growth and development of strong muscles, strong bones, healthy internal organs, soft skin, and a shiny coat.
Contains 26% protein, 12% fat, 4% fiber. Omega-3 & -6 fatty acids. For puppies up to 12 months old. Large-breed puppies may continue to eat Drs. Foster & Smith puppy formula dry dog food until 18 months of age.

Buy the food your puppy is eating, as well as, the food that you prefer. Simply start by mixing a little of the new food with the brand he is already eating. By doing so, you allow the pup to make a slow and comfortable transition to the new brand of food you have chosen for him. After the first couple of meals, slowly increase the amount of new food. After about a week or two, your pup will be ready to make the complete switchover to your preferred brand.

The best food dishes for your puppy are ones that can be cleaned easily and are made of a sturdy material. Consider dishes that are stainless steel or ceramic. Puppies will chew plastic. These types of bowls are easy to clean, durable, and have some weight to them making them more difficult to move or tip over. Some bowls have anti-skid bottoms that help prevent movement.

Your little one shouldn't be allowed roam the house at night or when you are away. You'll need a plastic or wire crate so that he can be safe when you can not give him your full attention. It will also serve as a great aid in housebreaking.

When choosing a crate you'll need to consider growth. Wire crates can have a divider panel to change the length of the crate over time. You can also put items in the crate to limit space and simulate this. Crates should not be too big. Your pup will learn to soil one end and lay in the other if the crate is too large. The crate should be big enough that the your pup can stand without stooping and can comfortably turn around.

Gorilla Tough® Basic Square Back Cage

Puppies have a tremendous amount of energy and natural curiosity, and they love to explore the world around them. This is part of what makes them so much fun, but it can also lead them into harmful situations. Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you survey your home for potential dangers. In many ways, making your home safe for a puppy is similar to making your home safe for a toddler. Use gates and pens to restrict your puppy to a safe area.

North States Pet Yard

Wide Spaces Swing Gate


 

Buying cheaply made toys may hurt your pup. Stuffed toys made for cats and children may not be re-enforced for a puppy's vigorous play and probably won't make it through the first week. Fortunately there are dozens of high-quality toymakers that have safety-tested their products and distribute products without toxins.

Make sure you purchase high quality toys for your pup, but remember that even the best will degrade with time and use and does not last forever. You should monitor wear and tear on the toy and dispose of them when they start to deteriorate.

Nylabone Flexibones

KongTime Toy Dispenser

You should be able to housebreak your puppy in a short time if you follow a few simple rules. Puppies have an instinct to keep their beds clean. You should designate an outside toilet area immediately after bringing the new puppy home. The puppy's first error should be wiped up with a paper towel or a rag and the rag should be placed in the toilet area. The odor will stimulate the puppy to use that spot again.

The puppy must be taken out when it needs to relieve itself. After sleep lift the pup and carry to the spot. Other key times the puppy needs to go are before and after play, after meals and naps, and before bedtime. Excitement stimulates urination and sometimes play will cause the puppy to hurry. Always use the same door when taking him out so that he will learn to go to it when he wants to relieve himself. You should not just let the puppy outside by himself as he will forget why he is out.

Your puppy should be kept in a rugless room for the first few days and error spots should be cleaned immediately. Care should be taken that the puppy's crate or box is not too big for him. If it is, the puppy might sleep in one end and relieve himself in the other. This can be prevented by putting something in the box to make it just puppy size.

For more information on how to successfully house train your dog (as well as a whole bunch of in-depth information on house training troubleshooting and related issues) you'll probably want to check out The Ultimate House Training Guide.

It's the complete dog-house-training guide and comes highly recommended.

Puppy Trainer Housebreaking Spray

Piddle Pads®

Congratulations on your new family member! There's nothing quite like puppy breath and unconditional love. You've just joined the millions worldwide
who have found the special loving bond that only their pups can provide.