You Have a New Dog - Now What?
Bringing home a new pup is a time of excitement and celebration! Odds are it’s been something you’ve been thinking about for a while, but even still once you get that new four-legged friend home it can feel overwhelming. Here’s a handy guide to help you figure out the first few days to weeks of bringing your new pal home.
What do you need?
GEAR:
High quality crate
Treats
Toys
Food
Grooming Tools
ROUTINE
Routines are vital. Dogs, like children, prefer knowing what’s going to happen and when. The better they understand the routine, the easier your life will be.
Feeding schedules
Feed 2 - 3 times a day, depending on their age (adults 2x, puppies 3x).
If the dog walks away from their food, pick it up.
You won’t starve your dog, they will quickly learn.
A feeding schedule will help you know how much and how often your dog is eating, which alerts you to changes that mean your dog is feeling unwell.
They also help prevent overeating and excessive weight gain.
Potty Schedules
Feed them, and take them out, at regular intervals throughout the day until they start alerting you to their needs.
If your dog isn’t reliable, keep them in the crate while you’re busy. You cannot correct a dog for something if you don’t see them doing the deed.
No food or water after 5pm. This helps prevent nighttime potty breaks.
Assimilating your pup into your life.
Your life is busy, and you won’t always be able to cater everything around your dog, so make sure your dog adjusts to your busy schedule.
Keep your and your dog’s needs in mind while setting up your own daily schedule. Pick a dog that will fit into your lifestyle.
All dogs require attention and exercise, plan for that and work it into your schedule. It should be as regular as brushing your teeth, not something you can “just do tomorrow.”
Every dog needs training. Get them into training as soon as you bring them home. You may think this is extreme, but it’s a lot easier to prevent bad habits then undo them.
Life happens, and sometimes life is crazy and routines fall apart. Be prepared for change, and have a back up plan for when things just don’t go according to plan. Training, treat games, mental stim toys, etc can all be a good way to tire your pup out for those days when you’re too busy to get them out there.
EXPECTATIONS
You can expect a lot from your dog, but be fair to them in understanding what they’re capable at any given stage. Don’t expect Ultimate Obedience from a puppy that hasn’t even mastered a sit. It takes time to teach your dog the rules. Don’t put so much pressure on your dog and yourself to get everything perfect right away. So start your training immediately, and be fair as your new dog acclimates to their new home.
Bringing a dog home can enrich your life, but like all things worth doing, it will take work. So buckle in and start.