What Are The First Things to Do When You Bring a Dog Home?

The day when one brings a puppy home changes the life of the people who live in it for a very long time. From now on, they have a huge responsibility for the health and well-being of a pet. Those who take care of their dogs a lot know how much these animals are able to love their owners.

But giving a dog home is not enough for making the pet happy. There are many other things that you should know when you decide to have a puppy. Here, you will have a list of things to do when you bring a dog home. So, stay tuned.

Gather All Needed Supplies

Think about which items will be needed for your pet. Prepare enough food which is appropriate for your dog. This might be small or large breed puppy food, depending on the type of dog you have.

Think about the bowls for your pet. There should be at least two of them: one for water and one for food.

Get a leash. You will need to take your dog for a walk very often, and it’s going to be too dangerous for your puppy if you don’t use a leash. The type of it should depend on the dog’s size and strength.

Also, remember about the waste bags. You should always clean after your pet while being outside. If you want to go eco friendly, there are many ‘green’ versions of bags.

If you are buying a pet when it’s still a baby, getting some toys is obligatory. Many adult dogs also enjoy playing with them. Some balls or flying discs can also be used for teaching the puppy.

Remember that you’ll have to wash and groom the dog. To buy a special soap or a shampoo and a comb is a must.

Make Sure The House Is Ready For A Dog To Live In

All experienced pet owners already have a habit of hiding all the items that can be dangerous for the animal into a safe place. Remember to not leave sharp things such as scissors or knives in the area where a pet has access to.

The tiny objects should be hidden too. We all remember this cliche scene from movies when a pet swallows an engagement ring. So, in order to avoid any unpleasant situation, don’t leave small objects in the area where your dog has easy access to.

All the valuable items that a puppy can chew should be in a safe place too. Some people even close the doors to the rooms where furniture is too expensive to get damaged.

Create A Schedule

If you are a super occupied business person who doesn’t have a free minute during a day, you need to bear in mind that a dog will feel sad and lonely without your presence at home. It has been proved that they develop emotional bonds with their owners and tend to miss them when they are not at home.

Make sure you have enough time daily to take care of the puppy you are responsible for. For instance, you can walk them before work or to come home during the day if it’s possible.

Many people also buy cameras for the house, so they can check what their pets are doing during the day. You will have peace of mind that the puppy is not destroying your super expensive sofa right now or does not pee on the carpet.

If you don’t have enough time to dedicate to the dog, ask other family members to do so. It’s highly important for the dogs to feel someone else’s presence and attention. Bear this in mind.

If you get a dog at the moment when you are mostly at home, but you know that soon you’ll be busier and spend less time with them, teach them to play alone. If the pet gets used to your constant presence, and then you disappear, they might develop the feeling which is similar to depression in humans.

Therefore, you have to let the pet play alone for a couple of hours daily. Even if it looks sad and your heart is melting, you should bear in mind that this is the best solution for the future.

For example, you can leave a dog outside for an hour or two while the whole family is inside. Or let them stay in the balcony or a different room. It will let them understand that people won’t be around all the time.

The Last Thing

You should remember that having a dog means taking responsibility. Take care of your pet in a proper way, and they will bring you a lot of happiness.