Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Adnan Ali
Pets are the best. They’re there when you need them, and they always make you feel better when you’re down. But sometimes, they can be a bit of a hassle. For example, if you’ve never had a pet before, especially a dog, it can be difficult to know what supplies you’ll need or how to train them properly.
According to the pet owners survey by Statista, around 69 million households in the US have at least one dog as a pet. It also makes dogs the preferred category for pets, followed by cats and saltwater fish. If you are planning to be a proud dog parent, this article will help.
We’ve listed seven tips to prepare yourself before bringing your first dog home. Let’s take a look.
Get the Supplies You Need
You’ll need a few supplies to get started. It’s important to keep them on hand, so you have everything you need when your new dog arrives.
These include:
- A collar and leash
- Food and water bowls
- A comfortable bed for your pet to sleep on during the day (and at night)
- Toys to engage with when you’re not around. Your dog will also need an area where they can play with these toys when left alone in the house or yard.
- A crate or kennel to keep them safe when you’re not home. It is especially important when your dog is new to the house and doesn’t know how to behave around children or other pets.
Consider buying pet supplies from an online pet store. You can buy almost all your pet supplies from an online store like PetRx.
With the convenience of an online pet supply store, you can have everything you need for your canine friend delivered to your door in no time. You might even find great deals on products that are hard to find in stores.
When you buy from an online pet supply store, it’s easy to compare prices and find what you’re looking for. You can even do comparison shopping before buying from a local store.
Prepare a Space for Your New Pup
You will need a place for them to sleep, eat, and play. If you have the space, it would be ideal if the room you keep the dog in is separate from where you live. This way, they won’t get into any mischief while no one is looking or disturb anyone while they are sleeping.
Be sure that this area has clean sheets and blankets on the bed to make it smell like home when they arrive. If you don’t have enough room in your house for another bedroom, consider buying a foam mattress, so your dog can feel comfortable lying on his bed without disturbing anything else.
Set Up an Initial Vet Appointment
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that there were 121,461 registered AVMA veterinarians in the US in 2021. Additionally, there are around 33,872 veterinarians more who are non-AVMA members because of their vet degrees before 1977. With so many vets around in the US, it won’t be a difficult task to find a qualified one near you.
Before bringing your dog home, ask friends and family for recommendations for the best veterinarians. If they don’t have a personal recommendation, ask them to pass your inquiry to their personal contacts. If you don’t know anyone who can help you find a veterinarian, check with your local pet store. They can connect you with someone recommended by other customers.
Talk to your vet about vaccines, deworming, and flea treatment. Your new puppy should be up-to-date on their vaccinations before coming home. If not, get that done first.
Also, discuss whether they must receive other preventative treatments, like heartworm medication, before moving in with you. It ensures you don’t overburden your dog’s system with unnecessary medications or boosters soon after adopting them.
Choose a Training Strategy
Training is an important part of owning a dog and can be fun for you and your dog. One of the first things to figure out when bringing home your pup is what kind of training you want to do with them.
Your vet will have their own opinion on this. They can also refer you to certified trainers in your area who are experienced with whatever strategy appeals most to you.
Your pup’s first lesson should be an introduction to being a family pet, teaching him not to chew up everything in sight, bark at strangers moving through his space, chase cars, or jump up on visitors. If he’s trained well from the beginning, it will make life easier for everyone involved.
Plan Your Doggie Schedule
When you’re bringing a new dog home, planning is essential. Take the time to think about what your dog needs and how you’ll procure the necessary supplies. It’s also important to understand how your schedule will change. If you work from home, there’s no reason why you can’t put in a little extra effort at the beginning of puppyhood to keep your furry friend happy and relaxed.
Plan your day, keeping in mind what’s best for your new buddy. Try not to overschedule yourself. Get some sleep, and above all else, trust yourself as an owner-parent who knows what’s best for their pooch.
Keep Pee Pads or Newspaper Ready for Accidents
Your pet will likely have accidents even if you adopt a fully-trained adult dog. You should be prepared for that.
Puppies who aren’t house-trained haven’t learned that the bathroom is outdoors. They need to learn where to go potty and will still mark their territory with pee or poo if they get scared or excited in new places.
Also, dogs need to go outdoors regularly, and many will try to mark their territory indoors, too, because they don’t know any better. If you catch them in the act, it’s easier to train them early.
Bond With Your New Companion
One of the most important things to remember when bringing a new pet dog home is that they need time to adjust. Do your best to make them feel comfortable while giving them space if they seem nervous or scared. Try taking your dog out on walks, playing with them, and sleeping near their crate. It will help build trust between you and your new pup.
If you have children in the house, they must first be aware of how much attention their new friend needs. Letting kids know about that can prevent any issues later. If there are no other pets in your home yet, try taking turns playing with each other, so everyone gets used.
Prepare Yourself Before Introducing a New Pet to Your Home
According to IBIS World, the pet store market is worth $23.5 billion in 2022. It has grown at a rate of 1.9% between 2017 and 2022. It shows that with the rise in households having pets in the US, the demand for good pet supplies has also risen over the years.
Before you bring your puppy home, it’s important to prepare yourself with the right supplies you need to care for and train them. It includes getting a crate, harness and leash, water bottle, dog bowl, brush, dog bed, and toys.
Another crucial step is ensuring that you and your pet are comfortable with each other. You’ll be spending a lot of time together over the years, so it’s important to know what kind of personality he or she has before you bring them home.
