It's adoption season!! 

Welcome to a world of companionship and endless, unconditional love. This is going to be the best journey of your life.

Like all parenthood journeys, this one is also a rollercoaster of emotions, exhaustion and constant guilt. Sleepless nights to ease their vulnerability, early mornings not just to lead you out of bed, but out of the house and constant working parents' guilt. But luckily, we now live in a world which is willing to accommodate our furry babies into our daily lives. 

New puppies are being born everyday and it's the biggest bring home season yet! If you're an experienced parent or a fresh one, this checklist will help you like no other.

 

Your Essential Shopping List:

Harness and Leash 

Avoid neck collars, to avoid chocking or haptic pulls. Be mindful of sizes and remember your puppy will grow non-stop for 3 years!

Avoid road walking till 3 months. 

 

 

ID Tags

RFID tags, GPS tags, QR scanner tags or simple ones with their name and your contact number. 

Dog Bed

A security tool for your dog whether they sleep with you on the bed or not. A dog having their own bed is a security tool. If you can't afford a dog bed, dedicate any old blanket or pillow to your dog, and let them know it's theirs. 

Food and Water Bowls

Separate food and water bowls are a must. Replace the water every day and make sure it's accessible to your dog at all times, especially at times when you may not be around to understand their thirst.

Dog Food 

Food is the building block of your dog's entire life. Feed home food only, please. Your home, another's home, store bought but like home... Don't mess this one up! 

You can give additional natural toppers, biscuits, jerkies for bridging the nutrition gap. ALWAYS READ LABELS OF PACKETS BEFORE BUYING. Look for naturally dehydrated or baked products with no salt, sugar or artificial preservatives. 

Looking for only chemical free, pet food. Everything at The Pet Belly is absolutely verified pet safe: https://thepetbelly.com/ 

Puppy Training Biscuits

The minute you get a trainer, you'll need to get biscuits. The natural thing to do, is go to a pet store and buy biscuits as per size. WRONG. Do NOT start your baby's life by giving them biscuits that can't even respect your pet enough to give an ingredient list. Or worse, when they do, and they're full of salts and sugars you know you're not supposed to give dogs.

Find fresh, chemical free biscuits. Or incorporate fruit in your puppy's training process.

 

Check out our blog on chemical free training biscuits & treats:

 

Poop bags

Keep them handy at all times. These things have helped multiple parents get out of tricky situations and scoldings, just because the poop bag could be present in a second! 

 

Toys 

Avoid wasting money on toys till you know your dog's choice. Invest in Teething Toys, if needed. Initially if she doesn't take any toys, roll up your socks as balls and give them those. They respond to your scent. 

 

Grooming Supplies

1. Brush

Buy a soft one or one with silicone bristles, avoid metal prongs on a non hairy breed.

2. Shampoo

Look for Chemical-Free shampoos, as puppies can be prone to rashes and they often lick the shampoo! You can even provide professional grooming services with your own skin safe shampoos or check what they're using.

 

4. Pet wet wipes 

Look for pet safe wipes and keep them handy at all times for quick face, feet or bum cleaning. 

 

Pads/ diapers for females

Puberty in dogs is reached at about 6 months, but may vary by breed. Smaller breeds reach maturity faster than larger breeds, which may start menstruation anywhere upto 18 months. 

 

Things that you could consider buying but don't necessarily need to:

1. Nail Clippers - Avoid clipping nails on your own. Go to the vet or Groomer every time, as dogs have sensitive nerve endings there. In case you have to carry out the activity at home, research the best way to do so, along with the clotting agent required.
2. Pee Training Pads- Newspapers work just as well, depending on your budget. Only difference is, pee training pads don't smell, which is a big bonus.

 

Important Notes:

 

Find a Trainer: The sooner you start training, the better! They're never too young or too old to learn, but it's tougher as they get older. 

Find 2 Vets: One closest to you, one greatest you hear of, irrespective of distance. You should also be aware of the nearest 24hr vet or know which of your pre-selected vets can be available for emergencies.

Keep a note of Deworming (once in 6 months, dosage changes by age) and Vaccinations (4 shots yearly)

 

Things NOT to do:

1. No Hitting

Dogs are highly trainable, give them time to understand your language and signals. If you hit them to explain something, your words will never work. You'll have to hit them forever. And that's just wrong. So, don't start it at all.

2. Don't tie your dog to one spot at all times

Dogs are meant to be free to roam about. You may limit their accessible area to your preference, but do not keep them fixed to a single spot. 

3. Avoid Keeping them Outdoors Throughout

 All dog breeds are not meant for the outdoors. Yes, they have evolved to become home dogs, lap dogs even. If for some reason you need to keep your dog outdoors at all times, make sure they have a roofed house of some sort with enough ventilation for the heat and enough insulation for the winter. 

  

Please Note: You're not bringing home a toy. You're bringing a living being, one with the soul of an angel and the behaviour of a child.