Introducing a new canine companion to your home is both an exciting and stressful time. Whether you’re an experienced dog owner or a brand new one, each dog has a different personality so introducing them is a new challenge every time. There are a variety of ways on how to prepare for a new dog or puppy. Even after the surge in pandemic-related pet ownership, the adoption and purchase rates for dogs and puppies are still at an all-time high. With people going back to work, acclimating your new dog or puppy to your home can be difficult. Use these tips in our article this week on how to prepare for a new dog or puppy.
How to Prepare for a New Dog or Puppy
What supplies do I need for a new dog or puppy?
Before your new canine companion comes home, you should have their supplies ready. The most important items are as follows: leash, food, safe toys, crate, and water/food bowls. All these items will be needed daily so that your dog/puppy has a smooth transition to your home. Keep in mind that if the dog has never used a crate before, you will have to train them to do so. You should purchase a small bag of food that the canine is currently on and if you plan on switching them to a new diet, do it slowly. A dog that is already stressed out and then switched quickly to a brand-new type of food will be prone to digestive issues.
Should I establish a routine at home with the new dog or puppy?
This is a definite yes and it goes both for the dog and the humans in the house. Before the canine comes home, establish when he will be walked and by whom. You’ll also have to establish feeding times and appoint a specified person to do it. If too many people are involved in feeding the dog, meals could be missed, or the dog could be fed too much. There should also be a family agreement on where the dog isn’t allowed in the house. Make sure all your family knows about this plan. If one person decided to let the dog into an area they are not supposed to be in, this can make it harder for the dog to learn its new boundaries in the household. If you are having trouble finding time to train your new puppy or dog, consider our Dog Training Day Camp, Puppy Daycare, or Puppy Play and Train Day Camp.
How do I prepare my house for a new puppy?
Like young children, puppies get into everything. Before the puppy comes home, walk through your home and do an audit of everything that needs to be kept out of the puppy’s reach. Important things to keep away are the particularly dangerous ones such as electrical cords, chemicals, and indoor plants that could be poisonous. You’ll also want to put away anything that you don’t want to be damaged such as rugs and anything breakable that is within the puppy’s reach.
Should I let my children interact with the new dog or puppy?
Yes, you should, however, have them take it slow. Make sure their interactions are supervised and try to keep the environment as calm as possible. Children should be taught how to interact with the dog or puppy safely and appropriately. The most important things to learn are not to chase the dog, pull its ears, take its toys, or pull on its tail. Teaching children this now will prevent nipping and biting in the future. When the introductory period is complete, children should be encouraged to help with the dog’s care. This can include feeding, playing with, and walking the dog.
What training should I do with a new dog?
Socialization training is one of the more important things you should be starting out with. Socialized dogs and puppies tend to do much better in life and are less prone to aggression and behavioral problems down the road. Like all training, it should be done slowly. Introduce the canine to other people and other dogs in small numbers and then you can gradually increase the number. If you have other pets in the house, the new dog should also be introduced slowly to them. If you bring a blanket or towel your current pet lays on, this can be used as a way to get the new dog used to their scent. If your new canine companion is not crate trained and you want to use a crate, this should be done as soon as possible. You can check out our article on crate training here. If you end up adopting a puppy, house training will be extremely important. The best way to do this is to bring your puppy outside frequently (at least every two hours). You should also take them out as soon as they have eaten or drank. Try to keep the potty spot to one area in the yard and make sure they are rewarded when they do eliminate outdoors. If your work schedule is going to make this difficult, consider bringing the puppy to daycare.