Dogs are wonderful, loving, and loyal companions that can bring incomparable joy and fun into your life. Dogs will encourage you to exercise more, to meet new people (because your furry buddy wants to make new friends), and can even help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Here are ten things you’re going to need before you welcome a dog into your home:
Where they will:
· Sleep: Just like you, your dog wants to feel safe and secure when they lie down for a nap. They also
want to be comfortable. Deciding where your dog will sleep will mean assessing what they need (are
they a puppy? Do they need to go out often? Are they an older dog with sore joints?) and what is the
best bed for them.
want to be comfortable. Deciding where your dog will sleep will mean assessing what they need (are
they a puppy? Do they need to go out often? Are they an older dog with sore joints?) and what is the
best bed for them.
· Go to the washroom: If you are adopting a puppy, consider if you will be using pee pads for the first
few weeks and if so, where they’ll be. If it’s an older, housebroken dog, you’ll want to scout out a
location for your dog to use the bathroom on your property. Remember, you still need to pick it up.
few weeks and if so, where they’ll be. If it’s an older, housebroken dog, you’ll want to scout out a
location for your dog to use the bathroom on your property. Remember, you still need to pick it up.
·Stay when you’re away: Whether you’re working, out for a run, or doing errands; your dog will need
a place to stay when you’re not home. If you’re going to be keeping them crated, you’ll have to decide
on where that will go and how to train the dog to get used to the crate. If the dog you’re adopting is
prone to separation anxiety, you’ll want them in a space where they can’t wreck everything.
a place to stay when you’re not home. If you’re going to be keeping them crated, you’ll have to decide
on where that will go and how to train the dog to get used to the crate. If the dog you’re adopting is
prone to separation anxiety, you’ll want them in a space where they can’t wreck everything.
· Walk: If your dog is anxious around other dogs or reactive, you’ll need to consider where you can
walk him so that he doesn’t get overstimulated and frightened.
walk him so that he doesn’t get overstimulated and frightened.
How you will:
· Introduce him to the other pets: if you have other animals in the house, you’ll need to
put together a plan as to how you’re going to introduce the pets. How this goes will depend on many
factors, like what animals you currently have, how they feel about other animals, and how the dog
you’re adopting interacts with other pets.
put together a plan as to how you’re going to introduce the pets. How this goes will depend on many
factors, like what animals you currently have, how they feel about other animals, and how the dog
you’re adopting interacts with other pets.
· Reward him: Figure out a reward system early and stick to it. It’s best if everyone in the home uses
the same commands and rewards the same way for good behavior. This will help solidify the reward
system for your dog.
the same commands and rewards the same way for good behavior. This will help solidify the reward
system for your dog.
·Train him: Are you going to be doing the training yourself, if so, what method will you use? If you’re
going to be using a trainer, you’ll have to consider what kind of trainer you want to use and how you’re
going to implement what you learn.
going to be using a trainer, you’ll have to consider what kind of trainer you want to use and how you’re
going to implement what you learn.
·Teach them to be handled: if you’re getting a puppy, it’s important to remember that puppies are
not born used to being handled. Learning how to handle a puppy and how to get them to enjoy human
contact is critical. This is the stage where you discourage nipping, possessive behaviors, and other
behaviors that are natural to dogs, but not the best for people.
not born used to being handled. Learning how to handle a puppy and how to get them to enjoy human
contact is critical. This is the stage where you discourage nipping, possessive behaviors, and other
behaviors that are natural to dogs, but not the best for people.
How much you should:
· Feed them: As your dog grows and ages, their feeding needs will change. Puppy charts may not
accurately show how much your puppy should be eating, so this may be something you need to
discuss with your vet to make sure you’re not underfeeding or overfeeding your dog.
accurately show how much your puppy should be eating, so this may be something you need to
discuss with your vet to make sure you’re not underfeeding or overfeeding your dog.
· Keep them crated: There are many positive reasons to crate train your dog. It helps with anxiety
and encourages them to learn to be alone, and it also helps with reinforcing training. However, there
is also a limit to the amount of time your dog your dog should spend in their crate and the crate should
never feel like a punishment.
and encourages them to learn to be alone, and it also helps with reinforcing training. However, there
is also a limit to the amount of time your dog your dog should spend in their crate and the crate should
never feel like a punishment.
· Leave them alone: Dogs are incredibly social creatures, which means
they don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. As dog's age, they may become better at being
alone, but puppies can suffer a lot of anxiety when left alone for hours and hours on end. Before you
get a dog, consider exactly how much time you have to dedicate to this animal, who will rely on you
for everything.
they don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. As dog's age, they may become better at being
alone, but puppies can suffer a lot of anxiety when left alone for hours and hours on end. Before you
get a dog, consider exactly how much time you have to dedicate to this animal, who will rely on you
for everything.
·Dog-proof the room: Puppies and even older dogs can be quite destructive. Teething, boredom,
and separation anxiety can all turn your dog into a whirling dervish of destruction. If it’s a puppy, know
that you are going to have to put things away that you cherish and don’t want to be destroyed. If it’s
an older dog, it may take some trial and error, but it’s always best not to leave your $500 shoes out
near them the first time you leave them alone.
and separation anxiety can all turn your dog into a whirling dervish of destruction. If it’s a puppy, know
that you are going to have to put things away that you cherish and don’t want to be destroyed. If it’s
an older dog, it may take some trial and error, but it’s always best not to leave your $500 shoes out
near them the first time you leave them alone.
What you will need:
· Food: No matter the age of the dog you’re getting, have some of their previous food on hand when
they first arrive. Fast food transitions can cause gastro issues in dogs and cause diarrhea. Not only
will they be miserable, but you will be too!
they first arrive. Fast food transitions can cause gastro issues in dogs and cause diarrhea. Not only
will they be miserable, but you will be too!
·Home essentials: whether this is dog doors, gates for blocking access, or pet fences, you will need
to outfit your home to better suit your new member of the family. This website is a great place to get a
variety of dog necessities that will make you and Fido’s life much more comfortable.
to outfit your home to better suit your new member of the family. This website is a great place to get a
variety of dog necessities that will make you and Fido’s life much more comfortable.
· Bowls: The right size food and water bowls for your dog are essential. Your veterinarian or the
breeder should be able to tell you if the dishes should be elevated or if you should be using something
like a puzzle bowl to slow eating.
breeder should be able to tell you if the dishes should be elevated or if you should be using something
like a puzzle bowl to slow eating.
· Toys: interactive toys that encourage your dog to amuse themselves and help them with
problem-solving will be beneficial for a new pup or an old dog.
problem-solving will be beneficial for a new pup or an old dog.
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