So you have a new dog or you're getting one soon. Whether it's a puppy, an adult or somewhere in between you'll need supplies. It's recommended to get all your supplies before bringing your new furry family member home.

Being prepared is always best and your new dog will require time with training, loving, feeding, grooming, etc. and you want what you need when you need it. Nothing is worse than wanting to make yourself dinner and little "Rover" is demanding attention because he's hungry or needs a toy to play with and you don't have it. Get what you need first and life is much better for everyone...

Secure & Safe

If your dog is going to spend considerable time outside (like when you're at work), then as well as plenty of fresh water every day be sure Rover has shade to lie out in. Put up a tarp if necessary. Dogs need shade in the warmer months or if they want a lazy afternoon nap. You'll also need a dog house for the cooler months when your pup needs shelter. For warmth in the winter, put a layer of hay on the bottom of the dog house. Blankets don't hold heat and will only make your dog cold.

Most importantly you want to be certain your yard is secure. No holes or areas where Rover could potentially dig out or squeeze through and run amuck in the neighbourhood. Remember dogs can climb, so make sure your fence does not have "paw holds" that will help Rover over the fence! Be careful not to leave any sharp ends poking out or your dog could get a puncture wound or laceration.

Technology is a wonderful thing and today you can buy a variety of good quality and safe security fences that are designed to keep your dog from wandering off your property. These "invisible" fences use a variety of radio signals and 'warn' Rover that he has gone far enough!

Control & Identify

Get a collar and be sure it fits properly. You should be able to fit two (2) fingers between the collar and your dog. Be sure nothing is hanging loose. Dogs easily get their collars stuck and can strangle themselves.

Buy a leash to take your pooch on a well deserved and needed morning/evening walk (and let's be honest, you could probably do with the exercise too). The leash needs to be about 6 feet long until you and your dog are well acquainted and training is instilled. Once training is complete, an extender leash is fun too.

One in Three pets gets lost every year.

Get your dog an I.D. tag. Put your dog's name on it and the best phone number (house and/or cell) where you can be reached in case of an emergency or if Rover gets lost.

You should absolutely Microchip your dog!

Where will your dog sleep? If you don't want them on your bed or the couch, buy your pooch a bed of their own. Wash it before they sleep on it to get that new smell out. Use mild detergent and encourage your new dog to lay down on it by training them with a tasty treat or rawhide bone with a bit of creamy peanut butter on it. Peanut butter seems to work every time.

Buy the family size jar as the kids will want some too!

If you're planning on crate training your dog, you'll need one. Your dog needs to be able to turn around completely in the crate but not have too much room. For a large breed puppy, go ahead and get the size crate they'll grow into and block off the back half or third of it until they grow a little. They only need enough room to fully lie out on their side. Anymore than this for a puppy and they'll go pee or poop in the back of the kennel.

If you don't want to let your dog in and out, in and out, in and out, then a dog door is a great solution. Be sure to get the correct size and a professional installation. If you have a puppy, ask yourself how big will he/she get and buy that size door.

Food & Water

You will also need a separate food bowl and water bowl. Plastic is a good idea, it's cheap; it cleans up well, lasts a long time and comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours.

A food storage bin is also a good idea. You want to keep Rover's food as fresh as possible. Food bins are fairly inexpensive and air tight. There are many shapes and sizes and some come with wheels. The important thing is the bin is air tight to contain freshness. Also, get a food scoop; a plastic measuring cup works fine. This way you know exactly how much you're feeding and if someone else needs to feed your dog there is no guessing on the amount

Your dog's food is incredibly important. Given the massive international dog food recalls lately, choose wisely. Go for food that has no fillers, no fake stuff, and no mystery meat. Good old fashioned nutrition - the better the nutrition, the better the dog. If you feed your dog good food, they'll be healthier, happier, and live longer.

An important note on bones: Please don't ever give your dog scrap bones from the table. Once bones are cooked, they become brittle and can lodge inside your dog's stomach, throat or intestines and cause perforations or blockages. This type of surgery is serious and expensive.

Health

You want the best for Rover, so just as important as the right food is a good plan for his long term health, speak to your Vet about what’s right for Rover.

You will need to cover things such as flea, tick and mosquito protection. You could consider Advantix. Why? Because Advantix kills and repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, (note: Bayer approves sales of this product only through and on the prior advice of registered veterinarians).

For puppies under the weight and/or age requirement, Capstar tablets kill fleas too. You can purchase these at your Veterinary or online.

Protect your dog against heartworm disease by giving them Heartgard. Before beginning the Heartgard, your veterinarian should give your pooch a heartworm test to be sure it's negative. If Heartgard is given to a pooch that already has heartworms, it can be fatal because the worms will die inside the heart and essentially suffocate the organ.

Consider getting a doggie first-aid kit is also a good idea especially if you have a dog that is dangerously curious, eats everything in sight, or is a bit clumsy.

Fun Time

Buy some toys. Squeaky toys; pull toys; chew toys and so on. Nearly all dogs, young or mature, love toys. Get some natural rawhide bones & chews. These are inexpensive and help keep your dog's teeth clean too. Remember when in a fit of healthiness you took up Tennis? Well now you can go get the tennis balls that are lying unused at the back of the wardrobe – finally they have a good use!

Playing with toys helps to dispel energy and provides entertainment (even if only for a few minutes). It will also help the human wind down from the day by playing with Rover. Think about how adorably cute your dog is when they pounce on that toy you spent a whole $5 on and then joyfully bring it back for more.

Get some doggie shampoo and begin the human/dog bonding process by giving your pooch a bath. Please don't use human shampoo on your dog. Buy shampoo that has a bit of soothing lavender in it. After the bath, your dog is clean, smells fresh, feels better, is less itchy and they're beginning to learn you are their human and will take good care of them.

If you have kids, get them involved too…then step back, grab the camera and record the fun!

It's also a great idea to get a dog brush. Brush after each bath and at least one if not several times a week. It's a great way to bond, helps keep them cleaner, and reduces shedding.

If you plan to clip your dog's nails, buy the good ones. Spend $10 or $20 on a good pair of trimmers and your dog will thank you. The good ones are sharp and last longer. You also have the option of taking your dog to the vet or to specialist animal salons (if it's good enough for you then it's good enough for your dog!).

Training

Lastly, but certainly not least, get a training video, manual or both.

Your dog needs training. Whether your pooch is 2 months, 2 years or 5 years, they need some training. You, the human, are the trainer. There's a plethora of dog training videos, books and classes available to help you have the best dog on the block.

Love your new dog...He will love you for life

You and your new dog have begun a lifelong journey filled with laughter, insight, and companionship. You dog will give you undying love that no other animal will – he will never judge you, he will be happy when you come home at the end of the day, he will miss you when you leave for work in the morning.

Enjoy the ride and take the best care of your furry family member. Both of you will be better for it.