Bringing a new dog into your home is exciting, but it also requires a significant level of responsibility. Below are some steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition for all the members of your household, including your new pet.
Prepare yourself for the commitment: Hold a family meeting to discuss everyone’s schedule, and how it might fit around dog responsibilities. Determine who’s going to be responsible for morning and evening feedings, walks, and training your dog.
Make Breed-Specific Considerations: Determine what breed fits in with your family’s current lifestyle. Research the breed you’re interested in, and think about the best ways to prepare your household.
Training: Now is a good time to line up your training classes, or determine who in the household will be responsible for training. Either way, this is a significant commitment.
Set Up a Pet Budget: Dogs are more than a one-time expense. Food, pet supplies, and vet bills are regular expenses associated with pet ownership. It helps to plan ahead and determine your monthly budget so that you are ready for the unexpected.
Find Your Local Resources: Now is a good time to line up a local veterinary clinic, animal hospital, and independent pet store. That way you’re prepared when you need them.
Buy What They’ll Need Before They Arrive: Now is the time to make some initial purchases for your new dog. A crate, dog bed, some basic toys, and an initial supply of food and treats are essential, before they enter the home.
Dog-Proof Your Home: This isn’t unlike baby proofing. This includes putting baby-proof latches on cabinets that hold any potentially dangerous food, cleaners, or medications. These items can also be moved out of reach, if that’s an option. The kitchen garbage may also need to be moved to a more secure location. Check for any small nooks, gaps, or holes where a dog may be able to get in and cause mischief. Once your animal’s been around for a few days, you may need to tweak and make adjustments.
Choose the Right Food and Treats:What’s cheapest isn’t always what’s healthiest. Do some research and consult a vet to find out what food and treats may be healthiest for your dog in the long run.
Expect the Unexpected
Owning a dog teaches us patience. No matter how prepared we think we are, our new pet will come with their own personality and quirks. Be prepared to be thrown off your game a little bit. It’s part of the joy that comes with dog ownership!
