While you contemplate owning a dog for the first time, you must weigh your responsibilities carefully. Take this advice when adopting a new furry friend.
Adopting a dog for the first time is an exciting new adventure for you and your family. Dogs are energetic and fun additions that will provide your household with a companion for life. However, the fun part of becoming a dog owner comes after the early, hard work of dog ownership. As you begin this exciting transition into a pet-loving lifestyle, we have some important advice for adopting a dog that you won’t want to miss out on.
Before You Bring Them Home: Buy Their Essentials
A new dog is an investment, and whether you’re bringing home a puppy or an older rescue, it’s necessary to make your home as dog friendly as possible. Buy a crate for transportation, a dog dish, some food, and a leash to start. Don’t forget to tack on a couple of different kinds of toys to enrich them. You can add more things to your list once you’ve owned your new canine companion for a couple days; getting the essentials down first will make them feel at home in your abode.
As you work through the doggy checklist, look for areas of the house that need to be dog proofed. You may need to buy barriers for certain rooms, like the kitchen or office, in case a curious puppy with a mischievous streak decides to explore. Make sure nothing in your home within dog’s reach is dangerous for them to chew on or ingest.
Consider Training
If you want your dog to behave well around people or learn tricks, it’s best to start training them early. You can do most of the around-the-home training on your own, such as potty training. Training your dog early to enjoy a good car ride is important, especially since many of their early car rides will be unpleasant trips to the vet.
Your dog may have extra behavioral issues that you will need a professional trainer for. A trainer will work with your pup to help them learn appropriate behaviors that won’t damage your home.
Be Patient
The most important advice for adopting a dog is to remember that owning a pet is a commitment for their entire life. Whether you’re exhausted by month one or after their tenth birthday, your dog is your companion. They’re intelligent creatures with emotions, and if you don’t want to see their behavior improve or help them live a healthy life, owning a pet may not be the best choice for you. While there are exceptions, it often falls on you—the pet owner—to correct bad behaviors and provide them with everything they need to be happy. Have faith in your dog and they will be your number one fan for their entire life.