Bringing home a new member of the family is an exciting moment and one that doesn’t come very often for most households. Whether you’re going to be a lone pet parent or you’re adopting a new animal into a house with other pets or even some kids around, there’s a lot to do. Luckily, there are a few basics that are true no matter what your home life is already like. Let’s talk about the important steps you should take on the first day and in the first month so you can smooth the transition for yourself, your new pet, and anyone else who is already in the household.
Bringing Home a New Dog: Day One
On the very first day, you’ll want to have the basics set up for your new friend from the get-go. You’ll also want to make sure you plan for some transition time because your dog will need to get used to things and you will need to get used to your dog. Here are the supplies you’ll need to have on hand from the get-go, whether you’re adopting a puppy or a fully grown animal.
- Food and water bowls
- Leash
- Bedding of some kind
- Food for the breed and age of the animal
- Toys
Your new pet will be a bit overstimulated, so take some time to lead the dog through your home, showing every room. Avoid too much talking, just let the animal get used to the space. If other pets are around, a leash is a good idea. You don’t need to keep them totally segregated, but you do want to control how close the new dog can get to your other animals until you’ve had a chance to oversee introductions. You should also give the pet some time to roam around and get used to the terrain after the walk-through. Later, after things have calmed down a little, you can introduce other animals and people. Minimize touching during this initial transition phase, there’s plenty of time for snuggles when your dog has gotten comfortable.
Set Yourself Up for Success Throughout the First Month
You’ll need to spend some time in that first month setting up the rest of the supplies and services you’ll need. That means grooming brushes, picking out a veterinarian, and deciding how much of the animal’s care you’re going to handle yourself. You will want to figure out a method to train your dog during this time, but if you’ve adopted a puppy you might want to wait a few months to start a formal training program or obedience school. It’s also time to read up on the best methods for handling accidents and other mishaps around the house.
Remember, a lot of your dog’s behavior revolves around the environment they’re in, and the way you act toward the animal is a big part of that environment. Learning the best practices for training and communication can have a profound impact on both the bond you share with your dog and the behavior they exhibit during your day to day life together. Bring everyone in the house onto the same page with verbal cues and other training choices, and keep an open mind as your dog learns to communicate needs back to you as well. Most importantly, have fun!
