The big day is finally here: It’s time to pick up your new dog or puppy! Whether you’ve picked up your pet from an adoption facility or from a trusted and accredited breeder, it can still feel like an exciting and overwhelming time. Understanding what to know as a new dog owner can feel like a whole new world.
You want to be prepared. Nobody wants to be clueless on the day their dog arrives, so you need to do your reading and preparation ahead of time and be realistic about what you still don’t know. This research can sometimes feel overwhelming, but fear not.
Here are some of the best and most useful tips to know before getting your first dog:
- Get the right food: All dogs are more likely to thrive if they have the proper nutrition. Your veterinarian can be a good source of advice for this since there are more choices on the market than ever before. Also, bear in mind that different formulas exist for puppies and adult dogs, and your choice will be dependent on which age group you’re getting.
- Prepare for house-training: If you’re dealing with a puppy, then this is definitely a useful tip to know before getting your first dog: You will need to house-train them. If you’re adopting an adult dog, then it could be a bit of a crapshoot, but it never hurts to prepare as if they’ll need this help. If they need this training, it can be a good start to confine them to something resembling a playpen with mats to make cleanup easier.
- Limit access to your home: Something to know as a new dog owner is that, within your home, it’s a lot more difficult to take access away from the dog than to never grant it in the first place. If you want your new pet to be confined to just the downstairs area, for example, then it’s time to put a gate up on the stairs to keep them from roaming freely.
- Stick to a routine: Like any other domesticated animal, dogs do best when given some structure to their days. They should have an idea of what to expect and when. This will go a long way towards helping them settle in and integrate with your family. Your routine could vary—you might like to start the day with a walk before breakfast, for example—but it’s best to have it planned ahead and then not deviate too much as the days go on.
If a pooch is in your future, then a big day is coming up for your family. It’s exciting to learn tips to know before getting your first dog, but you also want to make sure that the experience is fun and relaxing for everyone. Get your preparation done well in advance, and you can focus on the joy of the experience.
Our team here at D&G Kennels has seen countless families who were thrilled to bring a Presa Canario into their home, and we’d love to help yours as well. Keep an eye on our puppies page to know when new litters are expected.