Puppy proof your home. For first time dog owners the best thing to do is make sure your home is free from any dangers to your new pet. Dogs love to chew on things so make sure to have lots of toys so it doesn’t start to chew on things it shouldn’t (like your furniture). Make sure to keep cleaning chemicals in a cabinet out of your dog’s reach.
Develop a new schedule. Having a new dog will change your routine, and it’s important to get you and your dog on a routine as soon as possible. Set bathroom times throughout the day and stick to the normal schedule as often as possible, especially if you have to potty train a puppy. Four times a day is a good amount for a new pet. Try to aim for good time for you, like before and after work, and after meals.
Make your pet feel welcome. There will be some anxiety for your new dog when it first enters the home. Make sure to let it have some space that it can call its own. Keep a cage for the pet to sleep in, or a dog bed that it can use. Acclimate it to the family slowly, telling children (who will be very excited) to give the dog time to get used to everything. Use treats early on to reward good behavior. It will help to train the dog and it will help it feel welcome.
Find the right food. If you are adopting an older dog, you may want to ask the best food to purchase from the person or shelter you’re adopting from. Puppies have a diet all their own. Research the right food to make sure your pet has the nutrition it needs.
Take a dog class. Dog classes are a great idea for new owners. You and the dog can go and learn from the professionals how to best raise the dog. You’ll learn valuable information and can share experiences with other new pet owners.
Be firm but patient with training. Training a puppy will take some time. As we mentioned above, it’s fine to reward good behavior with treats, but you should also let the dog know when it did something wrong. Dogs can pick up on the tone of your voice, but there’s no need to yell. Be firm and direct-sounding and your dog will get the message.
Find a vet. If you have a new dog make sure to bring it to us for a check up! We can make sure your dog has the proper vaccinations and can develop an overall health plan to make sure your new family member is a part of your family for a long time to come. First time dog owners can go here to book an appointment with us here.
