In the US, 63.4 million households have dogs. Because they’re man’s best friend, you probably want one for yourself!
But without the right preparations, it can be terrifying for a pup to arrive in a new (and strange) house. So to ensure your pet has an easier transition, you should make some small changes to welcome Fido.
Below, we’ll show you how to prepare for a new dog so it feels right at home!
Make Your Home Dog-Friendly
Just like you’d have to do with a baby, you need to make your house safe. That way, your pup can explore its new home without getting into trouble or danger.
Put yourself in your pet’s shoes and think of all the things you could get yourself into. For example, if you usually leave mousetraps around, that could go badly.
Other things to do include moving chemicals to higher shelves, getting all electrical cords out of the way, and relocating choking hazards to higher areas as well.
Buy the Right Supplies
Here are some of the basics you need to buy for a new dog:
- Dog food
- Dog treats
- Food and water bowls
- Dog toys
- Dog bed
- Dog collar
- Leash
- Poop bags
- Dog brushes
- Dog shampoo
Not sure what types of food and treats to get? Then ask your dog’s veterinarian, which you should’ve researched already.
And if you want to do crate training, then get a decent-sized crate as well.
Sign Up for Obedience School
There’s nothing worse than leaving your dog for work and coming home to a wrecked house. Not only is this stressful, but your pet might get separation anxiety as well.
The best thing to do is to sign up for obedience school. That way, you and your dog won’t start with bad habits that are tough to break. House training will be a cinch!
If you’re too busy to attend with your pet, you can consider a board and train program. Your puppy can go through professional training and you can receive the proper information afterward through shorter lessons. Click here for more information.
Discuss Dog Duties
You’ll need to spread dog duties across each member of the household. What’s most important is that your new pet isn’t left alone for too long in the first week. This time is crucial for it to adjust and get comfortable in your home, so you want to have a routine it can depend on.
If there will be times when the dog needs to be left alone, then look into pet sitters and other pet care services.
Make Your New Dog Feel Comfortable
Getting a new dog can be exciting, and you’ll probably think of it as a new family member. To make sure it feels the same way about you, you’ll want to follow our advice.
When you see how happy your puppy is, all the time and money spent on prepping will be worth it!
Check out the rest of our blog for more pet tips.