Welcome to the Just for Pets Puppy Store - all your pup essentials in one place!
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure! At Just for Pets we're here to make sure you have everything you need for this new journey. From food and treats to toys and training tools, our Puppy Store offers carefully selected products to ensure your new furry friend has the best start in life, with you.
New Puppy Owner Guide
What supplies do I need for my new puppy?
In the first few weeks, it's important to establish a loving, comfortable environment for your puppy. Here's our recommended checklist of must-have puppy products to prepare for your puppy's arrival.
- Nutritional Puppy Food: Puppies need nutrient-dense food to support their growth and energy levels. Our selection includes top known brands, known for balanced ingredients to cater to every puppy's dietary needs.
- Puppy Bed & Crate: A comfortable sleeping area is crucial for puppies. Choose from soft beds or crate options to give your pup a cozy, safe place to rest.
- Training Essentials: Start training early with treats, puppy pads and chew toys designed to encourage positive behaviour and proper potty habits.
- Puppy-Safe Toys: Keep your puppy entertained and engaged with toys that are both safe and stimulating, perfect for teething and playtime.
- Collar, Lead & Harness: Walking essentials are important for building routines and exercise habits. We offer comfortable and durable collars and harnesses for puppies of all sizes.You will also need an ID Tag. Did you know - even if your dog is microchipped, wearing a tag is a legal requirement!
How do I prepare my home for my new puppy?
- Puppy proof an area such as the kitchen or utility area, moving any items that can be chewed or pose a danger to exploring pups. Remove all electrical cables, cleaning products and houseplants that may be poisonous to dogs from this area.
- Place a spacious puppy pen in this area.
- Place a safe sleeping area such as a crate with a comfy bed within the pen.
- Put down training pads to create an initial space for toileting before you train your puppy to toilet outdoors.
- Add comfort toys and food-based toys like Kong to the crate.
How do I settle my new puppy in?
Adjusting to a new home is a big step for puppies, and being prepared can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you and your puppy settle in:
- Take some of your bed sheets or pyjamas to the breeders so your puppy will recognise some of the smells of their new home.
- If your journey home is long, take a blanket or something with their mum’s scent and sit with them.
- Once home go straight to the garden and let them pee so you can praise and treat them for going outdoors.
- Walk with them to their pen and open crate to show them a safe sleeping space.
- Let them sniff and explore, praising and treating them as they go.
- If your puppy wants to sleep, let them – they have a lot to process!
- Establish a Routine: Puppies thrive on routine. Set consistent feeding, play and potty times to help your puppy feel secure and adapt to their new environment.
- Socialisation is key: The first few months are ideal for socialisation. Safely introduce your puppy to different environments, people, and other animals to build confidence and prevent fear-based behaviours.
- Start Training Early: Positive reinforcement training using treats and toys can help your puppy learn commands and good behaviour, from sitting on command to understanding where to go to the bathroom.
- Visit the Vest: Schedule an initial vet check-up to ensure your puppy is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations, helping set them up for a healthy life.
What should I feed my puppy?
We always recommend a specially formulated puppy recipe that considers your dog’s needs at this vital life stage. Puppies need to eat little and often throughout the day and high protein foods with 100% natural ingredients can give maximum health benefits to growing pups. Speak to your vet about the best feeding schedule based on your puppy's breed and nutritional needs.
Price can indicate quality but it’s also important to consider feed per day, investing extra per bag can save you money, as a higher quality feed will require less food to be fed daily making the bag last longer, saving you money.
Your dog’s stools can be a great indication with how they’re getting on with digesting and absorbing their food. It’s important to check with a vet if you have any cause for concern here.
How do I play with my puppy?
Motivating your pup to play and have fun can give great training benefits later.
- Think about your dog’s breed and mouth size as this will influence which toys they prefer.
- Try out a range of different toys from those that bounce, squeak, rubber or plush toys, tug toys, chase toys to find your dog’s favourite.
- Play with the toy yourself. If you’re enjoying the toy without your dog’s input they could be more likely to want it
- Don’t give up if your dog doesn’t want to play. Keep trying, provided the toy isn’t scaring your pup.
What Vaccinations does my puppy need?
Your vet will guide you on the vaccinations needed, but common ones include distemper, parvovirus and rabies. Getting these vaccinations on schedule is essential for your puppy's health.
