Adopting a new dog is such an exciting time! That being said, bringing your new pup home is only the first step on the road to helping him or her acclimate to their new life. It can be an overwhelming adjustment for some dogs, particularly if the one you have adopted is a rescue.
In order to make the transition as smooth as possible, here are three things you should do so that your dog can get a happy and healthy start to his new life.
1. Prepare Your Dog’s New Home
Are you planning to crate train your dog, or will he sleep on a fluffy bed at the foot of yours? Do you have the right size water and food bowls for your dog’s breed? There are so many supplies that you’ll need to get ahead of time to make sure that your dog has everything he’ll need to settle in.
Start by making sure you have enough toys for your dog to play with so that there is no confusion about what things in your house are appropriate to chew on. Make sure that you also invest in a good leash for all of those walks that you’ll be taking together.
2. Take Your Dog to the Vet
Taking your new dog to the vet as soon as possible might sound a little far baby
fetched. After all, it is likely that he or she received any necessary medical care wherever they were being cared for before. That being said, it is important to have your pet registered with a veterinary office as soon as possible in case something unexpected comes up. Most veterinary offices want to do a physical checkup on new pets to make sure all is well.
Furthermore, you need to ensure that your dog has received any and all necessary vaccinations. If you have adopted a puppy, they might have not had all of the shots that they’ll need to ward off any harmful illnesses. Thankfully, there are plenty of experts, like those at easyvet Frisco, who will help guide.
3. Set Boundaries
It can be very tempting to let your adorable new housemate take over and do whatever he or she pleases around the house. Unfortunately, taking this attitude, especially with young dogs, can have some serious consequences.
It is important to establish right away that the dog is not the head of the household. If there are any areas in your house, such as a baby’s room, that you want your dog to stay out of, then you need to make that clear as soon as possible. If you don’t want your dog to make himself comfortable on the furniture, this is another boundary that must be established quickly.
Lastly, setting a firm schedule right away regarding food times and walks will go a long way in helping your new pet settle and help them find comfort in their new and loving home.
Tammie~