Tips for New Dog Owners

Bringing a new furry family member into your home is exciting and can be rewarding for you, your family member, and your new dog. However, with a new pooch comes many new responsibilities, so you should make sure that you’re ready to take your new role as pup parent seriously. Your dog will be with you for years to come, so you should be prepared for the exciting lifetime that you’ll share with your pup. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when you bring a new canine companion into your home.

Things to Consider Before Bringing Your Dog Home

Before you even bring your new dog home, you should mull over the following tips to be prepared. First of all, you should know what breed of dog will be best for your unique family and needs. You may think you know which breed is best for you and your family, but before you commit to one specific breed, you should understand the needs of each breed and how they fit into your family’s lifestyle. Hunting breeds, for example, need more exercise and training. Smaller toy breeds need less exercise but can be injured easily due to their smaller size. Families with small, young children may want a dog above five months of age, since puppies can be unruly and have sharper teeth. All of these factors are important to consider when you’re deciding on the age and breed of your ideal dog.

Make Space for Your New Dog

When we say make space, we mean both physical space and space in your budget for your dog to move in. First, you should make sure that your home can accommodate a dog – many apartments and condos don’t allow dogs to live in-unit. Then, you should try to find a free corner or room for your dog to inhabit. No matter the size, your dog will appreciate having their own space to get some alone time. Dogs are territorial animals, so make sure they have some space that they can call their own. Dogs are also expensive, so you should make sure you have the appropriate funding to pay for vet bills, food, collars, leashes, and other medications and dog products that your dog will need both in their puppy years and for the rest of their life. Dogs require space and money, so you should be ready to provide both.

Prepping Your Home in Advance

Aside from making space for your dog in your home, you’ll need to “dog-proof” your home to prepare for your dog. Be sure to tuck electrical cords under baseboards when possible. Make sure household cleaners, which can be toxic to dogs, are stored high up, out of your dog’s reach. You should also move plants out of your dog’s reach, as many house plants are also toxic to dogs. You may want to consider moving small rugs and packing up breakable items while your pup is still in their destructive phase. Otherwise, you could end up with broken valuables and torn up furniture.

Supplies to Have

Before you bring your new pup home, you should have plenty of supplies to make sure they feel right at home in your home. Here are some must-haves for your doggo: a pet or baby gate, cleaning supplies to deal with inevitable accidents, a new dog bed with plenty of blankets, a dog collar, dog tags, a leash, dog bowls, a crate, dog shampoo, and a doggie toothbrush.

We hope these tips help ease some of the stress of becoming a new pet parent. Use these tips as a starting guide and your dog will feel loved and welcomed into your home instantly.