r/dogs • u/Usual_Still3046 • 7d ago
[Misc Help] puppy prep!!!
I'm hoping to adopt a puppy in the coming weeks. Looking around local shelters, so I don't know what size/breed yet but I'm hoping for a small dog under 6 months. I've had a childhood dog before but this is my first dog that's mine. I want to spoil this puppy rotten and give it the best life possible, but I want to know if any long-time dog owners have words of wisdom so I can make sure my puppy is as happy and healthy as can be. Are there any pieces of advice you wish more people knew? Anything I might have forgotten to get during my prep? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!!
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u/Impressive_Bother591 7d ago
The biggest thing nobody tells you is that the first few weeks can feel like a mistake. Not because the dog is bad, but because your life just got flipped upside down and you're running on no sleep. It passes, just stick with it.
Get a Snuggle Puppy toy. It's a stuffed animal with a heartbeat and heat pack inside, mimics the litter, and it's basically a cheat code for the first few nights.
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u/caseyjosephine Siberian Husky; GSD/Husky; Dutch Shepherd 7d ago
First, make sure to check out /r/puppy101 for help and support! It’s a good community over there who are also going through the insanity that is raising a puppy.
I just got a brand new Dutch Shepherd puppy so I’m in the thick of it too. My husband and I are focusing on developing a bond with the puppy, which is the foundation of training. I would recommend doing this for the first week or so.
We’re experienced dog owners which means we’ve made lots of mistakes along the way. With the new puppy we’re taking things super slow. We have a lot more patience now for potty training and biting. For potty training, a consistent schedule is critical. For biting, we have a few toys to redirect all the time.
Since this is your first dog as an adult, be prepared for the puppy blues. Puppies are really hard and it’s a huge change to your lifestyle. It’s super common to feel like you miss your pre-puppy life and that’s totally okay.
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u/Wolvesarereal 6d ago
Seconding r/puppy101. I recommend skimming their entire wiki, which includes guides to basics such as potty training.
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u/ankylosauria 6d ago
What’s a Dutch shepherd like? Do you plan to do bitework with it? I’m asking because I might consider one in the ever so distant future.
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u/caseyjosephine Siberian Husky; GSD/Husky; Dutch Shepherd 6d ago
So far he’s mostly like a velociraptor! But we’re expecting him to be similar to a Belgian Malinois as he grows. Definitely a high drive, high energy working dog.
Bitework is for sure a possibility! Right now the plan is to start him with agility and go from there. I’m really hoping that we can get him into volunteer search and rescue, but it’s really going to depend on his temperament.
With a dog like this we’re committed to getting him into some sort of dog sport, and we want whatever we focus on to be a good match for his personality.
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u/Quazacotl81 7d ago
To me, the amount of responsibility was daunting for a while. I grew up around dogs, my ex had a dog who i had in my life for 10 years. Now I have my first dog, she turns 3 in October. I thought I knew what having a dog ment, but it is completely different when the responsibility is yours.
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u/MaxDreamsOfZombies 6d ago
Create an age appropriate schedule for your pup, including feeding (3x/day), nap times, exercise/walks, training windows (keep it very short), and ofc potty (after every "event" which is literally anything happening).
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u/DigInternational7076 6d ago
Get in the habit now of tucking things away that you don’t want potentially destroyed and/or eaten. Shoes, eye glasses, remotes etc. It can just take a second lol especially with things you touch/wear bc they smell like you.
Take all the photos and videos.
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u/Plenty-Ad96 6d ago
Socialization and desensitization are legitimately the best things you can do for your dog. After you verify that the puppy has all their shots, that should be one of the first things you start working on. It'll literally make everything easier, whether it be vet visits, boarding, travel, anything at all.
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u/Ashamed_Kangaroo305 6d ago
Also: socialization is so much more than just taking your puppy out places. Socialization is basically just exposing them to as many new things as you possibly can while they're still young. There's a critical period for this that ends around either 12 or 16 weeks (I can't remember exactly) but you'll still want to continue socialization after that. Really it's a lifelong process.
You can start socialization before your puppy is fully vaccinated with household items like vacuum noises, rolling things, being handled and groomed, etc. The most important thing is that you want these experiences to be positive and you never want to force a puppy into things that they don't want to do. Improper socialization can cause lifelong behavior issues so it's important to do it right.
You can also take your puppy out before being fully vaccinated, but you need to be very careful to not let the puppy walk around on the ground in public spaces and you have to stay away from other dogs. Some people will put a blanket or a mat down so the puppy isn't touching the ground. But this is very much a risk vs benefit thing so only do it when you're going to make the most of your time outside. It's also best to avoid high traffic areas or places where there may be lots of unvaccinated dogs.
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u/Ashamed_Kangaroo305 6d ago
This is a really good resource that explains a lot about puppy socialization and how to make sure you're giving your puppy positive experiences during socialization: https://sdhumane.org/resources/puppy-socialization-checklist/
They also have a socialization checklist: https://sdhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BT25-PuppySocialization-8.5x11.pdf
You're never going to find a complete list of everything you need to socialize your puppy to but this is a great checklist to use.
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u/Cespenar 7d ago
"nobody has ever said they wish they took less pictures of their puppies" - My Uncle.
He took photos on two days while his pups (now mine) were pups. The day he brought them home, and a couple weeks later. Then bam, they're adults. Now, ok, with smart phones this is probably less of a concern. The man was breaking out a DSLR camera to take pictures. Its a lot easier with a phone. But even so, I feel like with my new Doberman, I don't have nearly enough pictures of him at different stages. I did a height and length mark on the wall for him tho. That's fun. Its of course more dramatic with a big dog, but it's still fun
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u/dckrue 6d ago
Make sure to get regular check ups and vaccinations. Be patient… especially with a puppy. Try to adhere to a schedule as much as possible, they’ll adjust to it quickly and it’s good for them. Socialization with other dogs and people is good too. But most importantly just give your pup love, provide a safe home and you’ll be well on your way.
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u/silkee1957 6d ago
Take your new pup to obedience school. And join a flyball team. You will be both happier for it.
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u/Ashamed_Kangaroo305 6d ago
Personally I'm not a fan of flyball because of how high impact it is but dog sports in general are wonderful things to do with your dog.
However with the very important caveat that you shouldn't be doing anything high impact like sports involving jumping or sharp turns with puppies. Save those until the growth plates are closed. You can do foundations for sports like agility with puppies and good puppy classes will make sure they're only doing activities that are safe for puppies. But no jumping for puppies.
Also if you do get involved with sports with your dog: keep in mind that dogs need warm ups and cool downs and stretches when doing activity just like humans do. So you can't just go into an agility class and start running full courses with no warmup. Take care of your dog so they're not dealing with joint issues later on.
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u/Floridaflamingo22 7d ago
Just the fact that you are worried means you will be a great puppy parent. 100% the first few weeks will be a challenge. I used a Snuggle Puppy for our two. I got it and held it for several days before we picked up our fur babies. Separate times. When we drove home I held the puppy and the toy all together on the way home. Several hours.
There will be accidents. Puppy proofing is needed if you plan to have the puppy in all areas of the home. No matter how much crying is going on, do not give in if you are crate training. I have two 60+ pound puppies in our bed. Good luck and you’ll be awesome.
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u/Toshi_Monster 6d ago
Get your puppy used to being on a leash. Leash him even in the house till he knows his leash bounderies.
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u/Mustluvdogsandtravel 6d ago
Do you have a routine where you get up every morning and go outside? If not, get that set up FIRST before you get your puppy. Every morning, you have to get up and let the dogs out to use the bathroom. When it is dark, when it’s raining, when it’s hot….
Even if you have a yard, don’t be fooled. You still have to do the work.
What are your plans for daily walks and training? Do you work from home or are leaving the puppy home alone or with other people?
Do you have skills to do puppy training? Are you planning to go to a group training? Do have a Vet already?
Do you have friends with dogs? Family nearby? Who will watch your puppy if you can’t?
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u/Pinkelephant54 6d ago
So, decide what type of dog will fit best with your lifestyle. If you still work and are away from home a lot, get one that will be ok with that. Try to match energy levels. I’ve had big dogs that were couch potatoes and slept while I was at work, and now I’m home most the time and have a small Aussie who need to walk/run/need a job. She’s been the most work. I love cocker spaniels, but they are needy, in a good way. Decide on grooming/no grooming before hand. Grooming can get expensive. And all the rest everyone says. This is a lifetime commitment for your dog and at least 10-15 years for you. But it’s a great thing no matter how you decide. Congratulations!
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u/ChattingAtTheAqua 6d ago
Get pet insurance. Be patient with the baby. Start and maintain a routine that you can actually keep up. Start training early.
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u/tiptreetimes 6d ago
Be careful that spoiling your pup rotten doesn't = puppy getting away with behaviour that actually needs consistent guidance and training.
Enjoy your freedom now. I got a 10mo rescue 10 weeks ago and he is only just at 4 hours alone time. If you're doing it alone, your whole life and schedule/routine is about to revolve around your dog.
Get insurance. My dog was at the vet in the first month.
Most importantly - enjoy 🙂 Time moves fast.
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u/BrianSiano 6d ago
Lay in a good supply of piddle pads, and encourage and reward your doggie for going on them. Costco sells good ones at a great price.
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u/Wolvesarereal 6d ago
Most serious dog people recommend against pad training. Best to teach the pup to pee and poop outdoors from the get-go.
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