Puppies - Products for a good start with a small dog

What do you have to look out for in a new puppy?

Puppies like to cuddle

After birth, puppies seek closeness to their siblings and their mother. Especially in the first days, the physical contact is very close. But even after being separated from their siblings, most puppies have a great need for closeness. That is why it is important that owners spend enough time with their puppy. In order to better meet the great need for cuddling, it is a good idea to provide the puppy with a cuddly toy right from the start. Make sure that it is especially suitable for dogs. Conventional cuddly toys can easily become dangerous for puppies because of the filling materials and small parts. Especially since young dogs are impetuous and bite the soft toy with their pointed milk teeth. A cuddly toy for puppies must be able to cope with this high stress so that your young dog can cuddle with it safely. 

Puppies are impetuous and full of energy

Puppies are wild and love to romp. Practically everything in the puppy's environment can be used as a toy. It can happen that furniture is nibbled and shoes are turned into toys. To avoid this problem, we advise you to buy a sturdy toy with which you can play and romp together with your puppy.  With the right toy, the young dog can let off steam. In addition, playing together strengthens the bond between dog and owner. When buying a toy, make sure it is made of sturdy material and is well made. No parts should come loose that could be swallowed and thus become dangerous for the puppy. We recommend the Bionic Ball or the Treat Dispensing Chew Ball as particularly suitable toys. 

The right basic equipment for puppies 

A few things belong to the basic equipment of a puppy household and should therefore be purchased from the beginning. These include a bowl for food and water, treats for in-between rewards and, of course, dog food suitable for puppies. 

Normally, when you buy a puppy from the breeder, you will receive food for the first few days. You should use this up before switching to a new food. Also, when changing puppy food, make sure you choose the right one for your puppy's breed. Read more about the characteristics of puppy food for large breeds and for small breeds.

When it comes to the leash, you should choose a light leash that is as flexible as possible and can be used beyond puppyhood. This will save you having to buy different leashes. Our recommendation for dogs of all ages is the Pro-Training Hands-Free Leash. 

There are two things you should look for in treats. The ingredients and that it tastes good to your pet.  

The right help if your puppy has teething problems

Every dog is different and so there can be very different problems with a puppy. It is important to observe the behaviour of the animal closely and see which products can help with problems. 

For example, if a puppy refuses to go outside in winter, this may be due to cold, frozen floors and a simple pair of dog shoes could help. Or if a puppy is not drinking enough, a drinking fountain may be the solution to encourage sufficient fluid intake. Sometimes the solution is actually very obvious. Of course, you should also seek the advice of your veterinarian, especially if there are health problems.