Puppies are amazing little creatures that are completely full of fun and love. They are a joy to be around and can bring a lot of joy into our lives, and there are so many amazing reasons that they are one of the most popular domestic pet species in the world, along with cats. There is nothing quite like being greeted at the door by puppy dog eyes and a wagging tail, and relaxing at home is always more fun with a dog around.
Unlike most pet species, dogs are usually more than happy to have adventures with us outside of the home too. Taking the dog for a walk is part of our daily routine that we really look forward to. It is a chance to get some fresh air and exercise with your best buddy, and gives you both a chance to relax and spend some quality time with each other.
If you have never had a dog before but are preparing to welcome home your first puppy then you may have a lot of puppy-related thoughts going around your head at the moment. You might be thinking about names, your puppy’s first vet appointments and whether they’ll be allowed on the sofa or not. You will also be thinking about all the fun and adorable accessories you’ll need to buy for them.
A cosy bed
Your new bestie will need a comfy place to sleep. Even if you plan on letting them sleep on your bed you will want to make sure there is somewhere comfy and cosy for them to sleep. Puppies can sleep up to 18 hours per day, and because they do so much growing this is extremely important to them and they will need a place to nap that makes them feel safe and secure. Your small puppy will need a suitable bed for their size, not too big that they feel unsafe and not too small that they can’t stretch out.
Training tools
All puppies will need training to some degree, even if they are a family pet and won’t be taking part in any competitive trials or working tasks. There are plenty of tools you can use to make training easier, whether you’re going for the basics or for a more advanced level, a dog training clicker and a dog whistle are two things that will be extremely helpful. Dog clickers are used to mark good behaviour, so if you give a command, the second it is done correctly you will click the clicker and then follow up with a treat and praise.
Dog whistles are a little more versatile because they are used to communicate with your dog directly. You can assign actions to different whistle sounds rather than relying on your voice alone. The best thing about using a whistle when training your dog is that the whistle sounds exactly the same however you’re feeling.
This is important because when training a young dog it can be easy to get frustrated and this can creep into your voice. When this happens, you can inadvertently make your dog feel anxious and stressed which can make it harder for them to follow instructions and learn what you want them to do. Using a whistle to give commands will remove this risk entirely, making it easier to foster a close, trusting relationship with your dog.
Collars, leashes, harnesses and tags
Getting out and about with your dog is one of the things we as owners always look forward to. To do this safely you will need a means of controlling your dog, and there are several options for you to choose from. The classic choice would be a collar and leash combination. Collars fasten around the dog’s neck, and the leash is attached to a sturdy loop giving you good control over the dog.
If your dog is a strong puller or is on the larger side, collars can put a lot of pressure on the delicate structures in their necks. As an alternative to collars that can be safer for strong pullers and large dogs, you might like to think about using a harness and leash.
Harnesses can make some dogs (and owners) feel more comfortable and secure on walks. Whichever combination you choose, your dog will need to wear a tag with all the necessary details on it every time they go out.
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