If you are setting out to adopt a dog and don’t know where to start, we are here to help you. Take a look at our essential dog care tips so that you will make the right choices.
The initial days for any pet will be crucial because it will not know what to expect from you or your family members. The hierarchy you set at home in the beginning stages will be of the utmost significance.
Before You Bring Your Pet Home
- Pick a place in your home that best suits the dog.
- If you plan on crate training your pet, make sure you set up the crate beforehand.
- Make his living space dog-proof. Check for any loose electrical connections, use baby gates, vacate all chemicals if any to higher shelves, and remove the plants from the area.
- When training your pet, make sure you and the rest of the family are using the same vocabulary. It will help your pet learn faster and avoid any confusion.
- As a safety measure, put an ID card with your phone number on it, in case your pet wanders off.
The First Day
- Give your new dog, the time to settle down and get accustomed to the new environment. Take special care about how your children behave with the new pet, as kids can easily frighten the dog.
- Before you pick up your new pet, keep in mind when you fed him last to avoid any gastric distress.
- If you are carrying him with you on a car, make sure you have secured him inside a crate.
- Once you reach home, make sure you take him directly to the toileting area. Wait for your new pet to relieve himself. However, it might take some time since the environment is new to your pet.
- If you are thinking of crate training your pet, make sure you leave the door open. This way, the dog will go in whenever he gets the urge.
- Now, focus on training your new pet. Maintain a schedule for playing, food, and toileting.
- Allow your pet to spend some time on its own and give attention to your pet whenever he shows good behavior.
- If your pet has lived with a different family before, spend some time with your pet to iron out the communication differences between you and your dog as it may be used to varying commands with its previous owner.
The Following Weeks
- Make sure your pet gets all the necessary vaccines before you take him out in public places freely.
- Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior around people. It will help you understand the degree to which your pet is getting comfortable with its new environment.
- To create a lasting bond with your pet, maintain the food schedule, potty time, and make sure you give him enough attention regularly.
- Always keep a veterinarian’s number handy in case of an emergency.
To sum it up, this was a brief article encompassing a few essential dog care tips you should know, before adopting one. I hope this was insightful!
