By Lisa Peterson

and Adria Henderson

There is a puppy in my neighborhood with very sad eyes and a loud bark.

As I walk my dog past, I see the little fellow tethered outside away from any people or social interaction. I always wonder to myself, “Why did these people get a puppy if all they are going to do is tie him to a tree and forget about him?” This situation guarantees failure for any puppy. With just a little owner education and initiative, this puppy can be the best pet ever.

In our three-part series, “Puppyhood,” we will give you some helpful steps down the road to success. This week we will discuss the puppy buying decision, preparation for the arrival and the first night home. Part two will address housebreaking (always a popular topic) and part three will discuss socialization, training and the puppy’s first year.

As a long-time breeder, I interview my prospective puppy buyers to see if they qualify to become puppy parents. Here are some of the same questions you should be asking yourself when deciding to add a puppy to your home.

Do I have the time? Young puppies require a lot of it. There are endless trips to go potty outside at all hours, usually every few hours until the puppy can control its own bladder (around 16 weeks). Do I have the time to walk and/or exercise the puppy and later the adult dog? Some breeds need vigorous walking for 20 minutes twice a day as a minimum. They need time to interact with their new surroundings, time to be fed (on a schedule maybe three to four times per day) and training time.    

Can I afford it? Not just the hundreds of dollars you will pay if you opt for a purebred either. First there is the series of puppy shots with numerous trips to the vet during the first few weeks.  Then regular yearly check-ups and vaccinations will follow. Food and equipment are bought even before the puppy comes home. As the puppy grows, grooming, unforeseen medical emergencies and additional classes and training will round out the bill.

Will the puppy fit into my lifestyle? Are you away from home for long hours because of work? Do you travel frequently for work or pleasure? Are you active or sedentary? Make sure your lifestyles will compliment, not hinder, any new puppy addition. If you are away, plan to make arrangements for someone else to care for the dog. Do you have other pets or children? Find a breed that will get accustomed to whatever you have at home already. Is your home or apartment pet friendly?

Is this a family commitment? Many times I hear, “Oh, the puppy is for the children.” And then mommy ends up taking care of the dog. Occasionally, one spouse wants the pup and the other doesn’t. Will one person ultimately be responsible or will the family participate as a whole? Make the decision before the new pup arrives.

Before the pup arrives put together a shopping list. Some items to include:

A crate - Ideally you should get two crates. A smaller one for the puppy and later, a larger one for the adult-sized dog. This will come in handy with housebreaking. Remember they don’t like to sit where they have soiled. You’re choice of open wire mesh or a closed airline-type crate will depend on the amount of traffic in your home. Whether you want the puppy to see you all the time - or have a really safe hiding place where it can relax and take a time out away from everyone else - will be determining factors.

A small buckle collar, nylon or leather – This is to begin collar and leash training. It should be snug enough so that it cannot be pulled over the head and loose enough to fit two fingers between it and the pup’s neck.

A cotton web or leather leash about four to six feet long – Make sure the snap is not so heavy as it will weight the puppy’s head down as he tries to walk. Again you may need to purchase one for puppy hood and one for adulthood.

A large ceramic or crockery water bowl – Studies have shown that dogs drink more water out of crocks than stainless steel or plastic. In a young puppy you want to begin a lifelong habit of getting plenty to drink and often.

A food bowl – Stainless steel is good because it’s easy to clean and they can’t chew it like plastic. Ceramic is also good because they can’t tip it over while eating.

Food and treats – Get some of the food the puppy is eating before you bring him home. If you want to switch him over to your preferred brand do it slowly. Keep the treats very small and limit them. Or else, you will add unnecessary calories and weight to your puppy.

Toys – He needs something to chew and play with. Make sure there are large enough that they cannot be swallowed or easily destroyed into bits.

Expandable gates – Block off the rooms where the pup will not be allowed to roam during housebreaking.

Breed appropriate grooming equipment – Either a pin brush for long coats or a grooming mitt for short hair. Your breeder or pound volunteer will be able to help you decide what type your dog needs.

The first night home:

Once you arrive home, go for a little walk. Let him relieve himself before coming inside. Try to limit the number of new visitors who greet the new puppy at home. Keep it simple, just those family members who will be caring for the puppy. Remember puppies like to “go” after a nap, playtime, meal time and in about two to three hours since they last went. So pay attention that first night home.

Place the food and water bowls near the door where he will be going out to do his business. And always take him to the same spot. Praise him when he goes. But I’m getting ahead of myself here. We will address housebreaking along with feeding schedules in-depth next week.

At night the puppy will be placed in the crate with no bedding and one toy. He will bark, scream, yell and holler the first night home in the crate. Don’t rush to the puppy when he cries. Ignore him. You will want to put the crate in your bedroom for the first few nights so that he doesn’t feel so alone.  This will also help if he cries in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom so you can get up and let him out.

Later you can move him to his permanent nighttime place. He has just left his littermates and his mother and is probably a bit lonely and scared. Have patience.

Next week we will take you through the pup’s first full day and address housebreaking.

Adria L. Henderson and Lisa N. Peterson are owners/operators of Safe At Home, LLC, a Newtown-based pet sitting service. They can be reached at animallifestyles @usa.net.