Preparing for your new puppy - an incomplete guide

Well, the time is soon approaching… new puppy time.  Our previous ones (Jimmy and Cookie) are now gone but certainly not forgotten.  Yet we are dog people, so here we go again...

Jimmy passed on in January of 2025, and his sister Cookie in back at the end of April. We are planning on getting a new puppy somewhere around late August or early September.

To prepare, I started reading a book about preparing for your new puppy and watching several YouTube videos.  Talk about an upcoming culture change!  It has been 15 years since I had to think about such things. My most recent experiences have been with 2 well behaved and trained dogs who mostly slept all day in their final years except when food, walks or car rides were involved 😊.

All that being said, here are some incomplete but important notes on just some of the things I have been seeing that need to be considered. I am by no means an expert on these topics, and am sharing them as much to let them sink in as to try and teach anybody anything. 

Puppy-Proofing 101

Think of your new pup like a toddler with turbo speed. Anything within reach is fair game—shoes, cords, furniture legs, you name it. Start by:

Hiding electrical cords or using protectors.

Securing trash cans and cleaning supplies.

Removing anything small enough to be swallowed.

Getting down to puppy-eye level to spot danger zones.

Bonus tip: Baby gates are your best friend. Use them to block off rooms or stairs while your pup learns the lay of the land.

Gear Up!

You don’t need to buy everything in the pet store—but a few key items will make your life a lot easier:

A comfy, appropriately sized bed

Chew toys (to save your furniture!)

Puppy-safe treats for training

A secure crate for sleeping and house training

Collar, harness, and leash

Food and water bowls (preferably non-tip)

Of course, we’ve got most of these and more in our shop — handpicked for quality, comfort, and sheer cuteness.

Training: Start Early, Stay Chill

Your puppy’s brain is a sponge (that sometimes pees on the rug). Early training builds good habits and strengthens your bond. Focus on:

Positive reinforcement (treats, praise, repeat)

Short, fun sessions (puppies have the attention span of popcorn)

Consistency—same words, same tone, every time

Pitfall to avoid: yelling or punishment. It’s confusing and scary for puppies. They want to please you—they just need to know how.

Socialization: Friends Now = Friendly Later

Introduce your puppy to new people, sounds, and situations gradually. Think car rides, vacuum cleaners, the mail carrier (who’s not a villain, despite what your future dog might believe). The more they experience early on, the more confident and chill they’ll be as adults.

Expect Messes (and Laugh About Them Later)

There’s really nothing more to say here.

Love, Patience, Repeat

The first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind of cuteness and chaos. But every sleepless night and chewed-up slipper is worth it for the lifelong love of a dog who thinks you’re the best human ever.