Prepping to Bring Your Puppy Home

JBB Dog Training

James Barnes

6.13.19   5:25p

So you're getting a new canine companion, huh? It's a very exciting time in the weeks leading up to their Gotcha 

Day but there's lots of work to be done yet! No matter the age or size of the doggy you're bringing home there are 

some basic steps you need to take first. Before you go out and buy toys consider the following- what kind of drives 

does this breed or mixes of breeds have? Are they built for scent tracking like a bloodhound or are they meant for 

corralling livestock like a border collie? Depending on the breed and their needs some toys might be more beneficial

than others. Do some research and see how you can accommodate those instincts in a structured way. Flyers for the 

jump and catch dogs, tires for the heavy chewers, and puzzles for the quick thinkers.

Before you get your dog look into local dog clubs. There are breed specific clubs and sport specific clubs on top of 

the social dog clubs, so figure out what your pup would benefit most from in advanced. Sometimes this isn’t an option 

though, if you have an unknown mixed breed or a unique disposition from a working breed it can be hard to gauge 

what said dog will need. In those cases it’s best to try a few clubs out before you make a commitment. Most clubs 

have an application process so you can let them know your needs in advance. If you’re not finding the kind of group 

you and your dog need then I suggest creating that club yourself. When Leery and Dan were little that’s what I did. 

I went on FaceBook Marketplace and Craigslist (before it cost $5 to make a post) and typed up a wanted ad for a 

puppy play group. Right away I got replies and after speaking to a handful of people I narrowed it down to a 

husband-wife couple with two dogs, a former client of mine turned friend with one dog, and a neighbor with their 

one puppy. Now we meet at a park near my property every Sunday for an hour of play group and have been for almost

two years now. 

An important step is to find a trainer! If you aren’t able to find an independent trainer near you that you can jell with

then try going to a chain pet store and talk to their trainer. No matter who you speak with make sure to hit these 

points. First, ask about their accreditation. Are they members of dog training organizations like the American Kennel

Club or the International Association of Canine Professionals? Ask how long they’ve been a trainer and ask about any

special interests they may have in the canine industry. For me, I’m a trainer that works primarily on basic and

intermediate obedience but recently I’ve been falling in love with protection work and I may actually become a bite 

dummy if I can get my cardio up. Finding out what your potential trainer has a passion for can help create that spark 

in yourself! It can also help you weed out those who maybe don’t have as much experience with the science aspect 

side of things. You want this to be someone you can imagine spending an hour with at least once a week for the 

majority of that canines life.

Just as it’s important to find a trainer you can have a long term partnership with, it is also vitally important to find a

veterinarian that you trust to take care of your pups for as long as they’re with you. At this point I think I’ve been 

taking my pets to the same place for just about 15 years now. Ask them about pet insurance plans and what they 

cover. Some plans cover office visits after spending a certain amount and some cover everything except for 

vaccinations so make sure to really read the policy.   Have an agent walk you through some options, sometimes 

your home insurance company offers pet insurance so you can try to save with a bundle deal.

You’ve got a vet, you’ve partnered with a trainer, and you’ve joined a club, now what? Now you need to puppy

proof your home. Pick the kennel that fits them and keep that in your bedroom so you can start goodnight protocols

right away. Think about what rooms you want the puppy to have access to and consider if you need baby gates. If

the doorway doesn’t have a door then I’d suggest using a baby gate to keep your new buddy out of spaces they

shouldn’t be in. This will also help you potty train your pup; they can’t potty in there if they can’t get into the room.

You should also pick up a urine destroying cleaner for your flooring type, be that carpet or hardwood. If you have 

carpet make sure to soak the area three or four inches outside of the puddle because the urine will seep down and

outwards so you want to make sure you’re cleaning the whole area. On the other side of that spectrum, consider

where you’re going to put their bags of food. I have a food storage container that holds about 24 pounds of kibble

and I always have an extra bag of kibble tucked away in my closet in case of emergency.

Most importantly, remember to just roll with it. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by all the chaos your new canine

companion brings. All the planning in the world only prepares you to a certain point, just know that if your route

changes along the way you can still get to your goal. Your trainer will be there to support you, your vet will be there to

support you, and your pup will be there to give you too many wet kisses.