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Bringing home a new dog is very exciting, but, if it is your first pet, it can also be pretty stressful. Let me help alleviate some of that stress with a blog post. This time, we’ll be discussing some things to remember when bringing a new dog home. That includes a list of supplies, puppy-proofing your home, and even a few common mistakes new dog owners often make. Let’s get started.
First, you’ll need to head to your local pet store, or *cough cough* your favorite online pet supply retailer and pick up some necessary items before your dog arrives with you to your home.
You will need:
- A crate, or some other way to give your new dog a dedicated space of their own for when they need a break from you or your family
- Food and treats
- Bowls for food and water
- A collar
- A leash
- A bed to sleep in
- Toys, especially for a new puppy
- Some kind of gate or another way to section off parts of your home
Next, you’ll want to puppy proof your house, which can apply to older dogs as well as young ones. Really, you just want to make sure that there is a dedicated space, that is sectioned off away from the hustle and bustle of your home. Try to keep the energy in that area as calm as possible while your dog is acclimating to their new surroundings. In addition to helping to keep the dog calm, it will also help to give you some peace of mind, because you’ll be able to keep track of the dog’s movements in your house.
New puppies are adventurous, and all dogs are curious. You’ll also want to make sure that you hide any hazardous chemicals and other substances that your new dog is liable to get into while unattended. Having a gated off area for the dog can allow you to keep them away from toxic things more easily.
Finally, here are a few final notes. People often make mistakes that start out as simple problems but can balloon into larger issues.
1. Failing to plan for home care for your dog when you have to go to work.
Many people think that they can leave their new dog alone while they are at work and fail to plan for this new addition to their lives. Being suddenly and inexplicably left alone in a strange new place can be very traumatic for your dog and can lead to behavioral issues such as separation anxiety.
2. Not training the new dog.
Training your new dog is especially important because failure to do so can instill bad habits such as food aggression or poor leash manners. A good obedience class can be an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your new dog. There are lots of unqualified people who claim to be dog trainers out there though, so make sure that you do your research.
I hope that all of this information helps to make the first few days of owning your new dog much easier for you.
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