New Puppy Check List

Courtesy of The WildSide - Tropical Fish & Exotic Pets

(253) 538-WILD (9453)

•       Puppy Food - Proper diet is crucial to the health of your new pet, and a change in their diet can cause hypoglycemia, diarrhea and stress. All of our puppies are fed Precise Puppy Food. All foods are NOT created equal. It is important that you feed your puppy a food that is made with high quality ingredients to keep them healthy. Please ask your Customer Care Specialist for more information to be sure you are getting the right food for your pet.

•       Book – Books are a great resource to make sure you have the right information about your puppy’s breed. We have a variety of books that focus solely on one breed as well as ones to teach you training or grooming techniques or other useful information.

•       Kennel – House training your puppy is safer and quicker when you use a kennel. Kennels utilize a dog’s natural instinct to not potty where they sleep. By using a kennel, you encourage your puppy to try to “hold it.” It also provides a safe place for your puppy to be when you are not home, or otherwise unavailable to look after him, which will prevent any accidental “messes” as well as other undesirable behaviors like chewing on furniture. Your puppy’s kennel should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around and get comfortable, as well as provide a bit of room for him to grow. Kennels that are too large tend to be ineffective but dividers are available for the wire Precision kennels. Until your puppy is trained, it is fine to use old towels to line the kennel. These will be easier to wash than a blanket. Once your puppy is trained, it is a good idea to put a kennel pad in. This will make your puppy’s bed even more comfortable.

•       Collar – Adjustable collars allow more room for your growing puppy. Collars should be worn at all times with I.D. tags and licenses attached.

•      Harness – Harnesses provide a sturdy place to attach your lead to your puppy for going on walks. Young puppies and active dogs tend to pull very hard on their leads (leash), which can place a lot of pressure on their tracheas when attached to a collar. Harnesses should only be worn while on walks because they can cause chaffing if worn too long.

•      Lead (leash) – Choose a size that matches your collar and your puppy. Available in four and six foot lengths and retractable in various sizes.

•       ID Tag – Make sure your pet has proper identification at all time. We have several styles to choose from and can engrave it right in the store.

•     Shampoo – Periodically your puppy will need a bath. Having shampoo on hand is a necessity. Choose one that is specially formulated for dogs and ultra gentle for puppies. Using your human shampoo on your pet will cause excess drying to his skin and fur and can cause allergic reactions. Earthbath shampoo is all natural and biodegradable, which makes it the ideal choice for your new pet. If your puppy is long or medium haired, they may require professional grooming. This should be done approximately every six weeks. Our professional groomer will walk you through what needs to be done to keep your puppy looking and feeling (and smelling!) its best!

•       Brush – The length and texture of your new pets fur will determine how often it needs to be brushed. Long-haired puppies should be brushed every day. There are many styles of brushes available today. Your Customer Care Specialist will be able to help you determine which ones are right for your dog.

•      Parasite Prevention – In Washington we have lots of creepy-crawlies that would like to make your puppy their home. Being proactive about fleas and worms can save you money and trips to the vet. Advantage is one of the most effective and simple flea preventions you can use. It is simply applied to the nape of your dog’s neck once a month. Other flea options include sprays, collars and powders.

•      Food/Water Dishes – Choose dishes that are the right size for your dog. Ceramic and Stainless Steel will help prevent bacteria growth which can be dangerous, and they are less likely to be tipped over than plastic ones.

•       Stain & Odor Remover – Puppies have accidents. Brands like Natures Miracle and Dr. Chemistry are formulated to eliminate the hormones in the urine, not just the color and ammonia. Regular carpet cleaners can actually set the stain, creating confusion for your puppy. When they smell the hormones, it triggers them to go again. You can also use these right in your washing machine to get messes out of blankets and towels.

•       House Breaking Pads – These are specially designed pads that are super absorbent and treated to attract your puppy to them. They should be placed next to your door to teach your puppy where to go when they need to go. They have a plastic back to prevent them from leaking. (Note: do not place the pad in your pet’s kennel – this will confuse them, talk to a sales associate for more information.)

•       Toys – Your puppy will need several different types of toys to keep them occupied. We will be happy to help you pick out the best ones for your puppy. In general, you should have:

o       Soothing toys - stuffed animal type

o       Chewing toys - nylon chews, real bones, Greenies etc

o       Playing toys - solid rubber ball, fetch toys, squeaky toys etc.

o       Your puppy should also have a Kong toy for use in the kennel. Kong toys look a bit like a hollow red or blue snowman. They are very entertaining to puppies because you can fill them up with treats and they have a very hard time getting them out.

•       Treats – There are many types of treats available for your pet. Choose treats that are nutritionally sound and that won’t upset their stomach.

•      Exercise pen and or Tie Out Cable – Little puppies can get into trouble outside very quickly. We recommend that you provide a safe place for your puppy to be outside, even if you can’t be with them the entire time. Exercise pens are foldable wire containment systems that can easily be moved and collapsed for storage. Tie out cables attach to trees, posts or other permanent objects in your yard and have a plastic coated wire cable that act as a long leash that your puppy can’t chew through.

•       Pooper Scooper or Pick-Up Bags -- These are especially important for people living in apartments or condos! They provide a sanitary way to clean up after you pet while out side.

•       Illness Prevention (Vaccinations, Deworming, Dental Hygiene, etc) – Proper preventative health maintenance will keep your puppy healthy for years to come. You will want to talk to your veterinarian to get a complete picture of your pet’s health, but we also have many of the things you will need.

o    Your puppy is current on its scheduled vaccinations and dewormings. They will need one to two more sets to complete the Puppy Series. After that, they should be done yearly. We cannot administer vaccinations or dewormings, but we do have the products available for you to purchase if you would like to do them yourself.

o    Teeth brushing is one important way to keep your pet healthy. Weekly brushing is recommended. Most puppies enjoy playing with you while they get their teeth brushed, but if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, our experienced groomer will be happy to do it for you.