Tips for Bringing Home a New Dog

There is nothing more thrilling than bringing home a new dog. Whether you’re a seasoned owner or a first-time pet parent, adopting a new animal can be exciting, to say the least. However, there is a lot of preparation and training involved when it comes to becoming a new dog owner. If you are in the middle of this process, below are some helpful tips.

Make Sure the Home is Ready

Before you bring home your new dog, it’s important to make sure your home is ready to receive them. For example, have you thought about where the dog will be allowed to go? If you have roommates or a family, it’s wise to have a meeting and to decide collectively where you think the dog should eat, sleep, and hang out. Also, let everyone know what kind of situations the new member may bring. Among these issues are dog period, dog marking, dog spraying around, fecal & urinary incontinence, gastrointestinal problems, etc. If you have prepared solutions for these situations, other members will be more likely to accept your new pet. Even if you’re a bachelor living on your own, you’ll want to make sure your living space has been dog-proofed before they arrive.

Give Them a Proper Introduction

Renowned dog expert, Cesar Millan, says that properly introducing your dog to their new home is one of the most important things you do when they arrive. Letting them run loose or go crazy all over the furniture will only cause problems down the line. Cesar also says that a proper introduction is important for establishing a healthy rapport and making the dog feel safe.

One way to do this is to attach them to a lead and patiently lead them around key areas of the home. It’s also important to remain calm and not be overly excited as you tour places like the feeding area. Allow them to sniff, explore, and become familiar.

Take Them for a Walk

Another important thing to do once you’ve introduced your pooch to their new home is to take them for a long walk. Not only does this establish a bond between them, but it also helps them drain off excess energy. A long walk will also get them familiarized with the neighborhood.

Set Schedules

Like humans, dogs also need a schedule. Therefore, it’s important that your dog keeps to regular feeding and walk times to help them feel secure. While this will take some extra work on your part, bear in mind that a chaotic schedule where exercise or mealtimes are not regular can make a dog act out and become irritable. You owe it to your dog to treat them with respect by creating a schedule, just as you would with kids.

Create a Health Plan

Make sure you’ve got a health plan for your new puppy. This includes training, registering with a vet, taking out pet insurance, or even getting them microchipped. Creating a plan also involves developing a healthy meal plan to ensure you’re not loading your dog up with treats. Read more about the importance of choosing the right pet food here

Be Calm and Assertive

Part of being a good dog owner is also being a good leader. While it may be tempting to be stern, dogs are most obedient when their owner is calm and assertive. Even if it feels nerve-wracking because your dog barks at people, try to remain calm and redirect your dog’s focus, so they don’t fixate on things that make them excited. This requires training and patience but being calm and assertive is key to good behavior and a healthy relationship.