Are you thinking about welcoming a dog into your home? This is a big decision but it can bring fantastic benefits for you and your family.
However, you do need to ensure that you take the right steps with the animal from day one. A lot of dogs are given back or returned after a couple of weeks. This is often due to the fact that owners are overwhelmed by the changes which impact their lives.
So, let’s explore some of the key steps that you must take when you bring a dog home.
Start Training
As soon as you bring home your new dog, you will need to start training it. All dogs need to be trained so they understand the rules of the world around them. Similarly to teaching young children, you will be teaching and training your dog to understand right from wrong.
Training can take some time and you need to have a lot of patience with your dog. There are many steps involved with having the perfectly trained dog including walking on and off a lead, recall, and toilet training.
If you don’t have the time due to work or family life then there are many expert dog trainers out there who can help you. They can come to your home to help you and your pooch or you can send your dog to them to be trained. Make sure you are checking out reviews before you part with your money and your dog.
Get Them Settled
When you first bring a new dog home it can be a bit of a shock to the system, for both you and the dog. The first night can be rough, filled with cries and howling from your new best friend. It is not uncommon for pet owners to find themselves sleeping on the sofa with their new dog so they aren’t alone. If you have got yourself a puppy from a recognized breeder then you will have been sent home with a toy and blanket that smells like the puppies mother. This is great for them as they will be comforted by the scent on the blanket. Having this near them should minimize the need for your attention overnight.
Buy Everything You Need
Dogs are not cheap and will need various bits and bobs bought for them. This includes bowls for their food and water, a collar and lead for their daily walks, a dog bed for them to sleep on, you may want to invest in a couple for different rooms, and some toys so they don’t get bored during the day.
Make sure that you are only buying good quality equipment for your dog as you don’t want them to end up poorly. If you are going to be traveling with your dog regularly in your car then you may need to buy a crate for them to travel in, alternatively you could get a guard for the back of your car.
Find A Vet
It’s important to ensure that you find a vet and arrange vet care for your animal. Vets are important for a variety of reasons. For instance, they will microchip your pet to ensure that you can keep track of them at all times. In some places, this is a legal requirement and therefore cannot be avoided. They will also keep your pet up to date with their tablets, injections and anything else they need.
You’ll take them for checkups and this will also be the place you go to if there are any issues with your pet’s health you are unsure of. This might include a change to their behavior or a change to their physical appearance. It’s easy to find a pet pro like a vet online using sites such as https://www.puppytrainedright.com/site/petpro/.
Introduce Them To Family Members And Other Animals
If you bring a dog or puppy home, you need to ensure that you are carefully introducing them to other people in the house. This could include children and other pets. That’s particularly important if you are bringing home a rescue animal.
They will always be nervous around new people and it can be overwhelming for them to meet everyone at once. Instead, you should introduce people gradually. That way you can avoid upsetting the animal and getting off on the wrong foot from day one.
Start Setting Boundaries
When you bring a dog or puppy home, it’s important that you put any boundaries you want in place immediately. If you delay this step, then you’re going to find it more difficult to break the habit. A classic example of this would be letting your cute puppy sleep on your bed. This may seem like an adorable idea. But you should only do it if you’re happy with the idea of a full grown dog jumping up and cuddling next to you as they get older.
Dogs are like kids. Once they get into a routine they like, they can be very stubborn at letting it go.
Think About Your Budget
Finally, you should make sure that you are thinking about your budget. While it might not seem like it, a dog can add a lot to the overall costs that you will be managing on a monthly basis. For instance, you should consider elements such as the food shop. Remember, larger dogs are always going to eat a lot more than smaller breeds. There’s also elements like worming and flea tablets. This won’t be included in your insurance costs unless you want your premium to rise.
We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to consider when you are welcoming a dog into your home. Remember, this is always going to be a major change to your life.
So, it’s important that you don’t take it lightly. You need to prepare the right way and ensure that you aren’t missing out on any of the crucial steps that will help ensure your furry friend is settled and happy as a new member of the family.
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