Bringing home a new dog is one of the most exciting events in life! Full of anticipation, excitement, and possibly a few nerves too as you bring home your companion for the next 10+ years! Whether you’re bringing home an excitable puppy or a loving rescue dog, preparation is key. Adjusting to four new paws around the house can feel overwhelming, and the last thing you want is to be panicking because you’ve forgotten to pick up dog treats.
We’ve put together our checklist of the 10 must-haves for every new dog owner!
A Suitable Dog Food
This is one of the most important considerations for your new fluffy friend. Finding a suitable dog food can feel like a bit of a minefield, with so many brands and options available in pet shops, you might not know where to start! Your dog’s food can have a huge impact on their overall health, as well as their day-to-day behaviour. Watch out for sugary dog foods and filler ingredients that can upset your dog’s tummy and also create behavioural issues. Instead, seek out grain-free dog food with high-quality ingredients. At Broadreach Nature our grain-free dog food is formulated with nutritionists and approved by vets.
A Comfortable Bed
A cosy and comfortable bed is high on the priority list for your pooch, somewhere they can relax as they ease into their new surroundings. This is a big change for them too, so ensuring they feel secure and comfortable is really important. It’s worth researching your breed to find out the best style of bed, for example, whippets like to feel cosy and are highly suited to donut style beds.
Calming Support
The first few weeks of settling your new pup or adult dog into the home may feel quite challenging, but remember, this is only temporary! Everyone is finding their feet – and paws – and your dog may act a little different as they’re learning and testing boundaries. You might find a natural calming supplement can provide support to nervous and anxious dogs dealing with change, for example, a rescue dog moving into your home and going through an adjustment period. Discover our full natural Calming Support for Dogs range!
Healthy Dog Treats
Treats are quite important when it comes to training your puppy, or older dog. If your dog is food orientated this will definitely help when it comes to teaching them the rules – positive reinforcement is key! Be sure that when you’re shopping for treats, avoid any nasty artificial colourings and ingredients. Stick to natural treats that your dog will love.
Toys Toys Toys
When you bring a puppy home, one thing you can never have enough of is toys! It’s vital that you ensure your pup is getting enough stimulation, so plenty of interesting toys and chews for them to get their sharp puppy razor teeth into are needed. Mental exercise is also just as important as physical exercise, so invest in some brain training games and a snuffle mat for extra fun.
Grooming Products
To keep your dog’s skin and coat looking and feeling healthy, grooming products are essential. It’s a good idea to get your puppy used to being groomed and baths in the early days are a great idea so they don’t freak out over it as they get older. If you’re rescuing, you might find your dog has a lingering kennel smell, but don’t worry, this can easily be sorted with a good shampoo! Itchy skin is a common problem in dogs of all ages, a natural soothing treatment will help.
Nail Trimmers
Trimming your puppy’s nails early on will get them used to the process and allow for much easier trim as they grow up into teens and adults so it’s worth picking up a pair of nail scissors from the pet shop in preparation for your new arrival.
Feeding Bowls
It’s an obvious one, but finding the right feeding bowls is important for your dog! Sturdy bowls that won’t slide around the floor (and turn into a fun game!) are ideal, and for older/bigger dogs you might want to look at raised bowls to ensure they don’t hurt their neck while eating. If your pup is wolfing down their food too quickly, a slow feeder can work to slow them down!
A First-Aid Kit
Accidents happen, especially with accident-prone puppies who are keen to explore the world! A first-aid kit with all of the essentials (gauze, cotton wool, dressings etc) is a really great idea, and having one in place will reduce stress and panic if your dog was to hurt themselves.
Pet Insurance
Accidents do happen, and vet bills can easily rack up, especially if any overnight care is required. A pet insurance policy can offer you peace of mind that if your pet was to ever get into a sticky situation, or fall ill, you’re covered for their care and journey back to health!
And finally, don’t forget a suitable lead and a coat for the colder months because our dog’s feel the cold too! Ticked off the checklist? Now it’s time to enjoy your new furry friend.
Checklist: 10 Must-Haves For Every New Dog Owner!
Bringing home a new dog is one of the most exciting events in life! Full of anticipation, excitement, and possibly a few nerves too as you bring home your companion for the next 10+ years! Whether you’re bringing home an excitable puppy or a loving rescue dog, preparation is key. Adjusting to four new paws around the house can feel overwhelming, and the last thing you want is to be panicking because you’ve forgotten to pick up dog treats.
We’ve put together our checklist of the 10 must-haves for every new dog owner!
This is one of the most important considerations for your new fluffy friend. Finding a suitable dog food can feel like a bit of a minefield, with so many brands and options available in pet shops, you might not know where to start! Your dog’s food can have a huge impact on their overall health, as well as their day-to-day behaviour. Watch out for sugary dog foods and filler ingredients that can upset your dog’s tummy and also create behavioural issues. Instead, seek out grain-free dog food with high-quality ingredients. At Broadreach Nature our grain-free dog food is formulated with nutritionists and approved by vets.
A cosy and comfortable bed is high on the priority list for your pooch, somewhere they can relax as they ease into their new surroundings. This is a big change for them too, so ensuring they feel secure and comfortable is really important. It’s worth researching your breed to find out the best style of bed, for example, whippets like to feel cosy and are highly suited to donut style beds.
The first few weeks of settling your new pup or adult dog into the home may feel quite challenging, but remember, this is only temporary! Everyone is finding their feet – and paws – and your dog may act a little different as they’re learning and testing boundaries. You might find a natural calming supplement can provide support to nervous and anxious dogs dealing with change, for example, a rescue dog moving into your home and going through an adjustment period. Discover our full natural Calming Support for Dogs range!
Treats are quite important when it comes to training your puppy, or older dog. If your dog is food orientated this will definitely help when it comes to teaching them the rules – positive reinforcement is key! Be sure that when you’re shopping for treats, avoid any nasty artificial colourings and ingredients. Stick to natural treats that your dog will love.
When you bring a puppy home, one thing you can never have enough of is toys! It’s vital that you ensure your pup is getting enough stimulation, so plenty of interesting toys and chews for them to get their sharp puppy razor teeth into are needed. Mental exercise is also just as important as physical exercise, so invest in some brain training games and a snuffle mat for extra fun.
To keep your dog’s skin and coat looking and feeling healthy, grooming products are essential. It’s a good idea to get your puppy used to being groomed and baths in the early days are a great idea so they don’t freak out over it as they get older. If you’re rescuing, you might find your dog has a lingering kennel smell, but don’t worry, this can easily be sorted with a good shampoo! Itchy skin is a common problem in dogs of all ages, a natural soothing treatment will help.
Trimming your puppy’s nails early on will get them used to the process and allow for much easier trim as they grow up into teens and adults so it’s worth picking up a pair of nail scissors from the pet shop in preparation for your new arrival.
It’s an obvious one, but finding the right feeding bowls is important for your dog! Sturdy bowls that won’t slide around the floor (and turn into a fun game!) are ideal, and for older/bigger dogs you might want to look at raised bowls to ensure they don’t hurt their neck while eating. If your pup is wolfing down their food too quickly, a slow feeder can work to slow them down!
Accidents happen, especially with accident-prone puppies who are keen to explore the world! A first-aid kit with all of the essentials (gauze, cotton wool, dressings etc) is a really great idea, and having one in place will reduce stress and panic if your dog was to hurt themselves.
Accidents do happen, and vet bills can easily rack up, especially if any overnight care is required. A pet insurance policy can offer you peace of mind that if your pet was to ever get into a sticky situation, or fall ill, you’re covered for their care and journey back to health!
And finally, don’t forget a suitable lead and a coat for the colder months because our dog’s feel the cold too! Ticked off the checklist? Now it’s time to enjoy your new furry friend.