These Are the 5 Things You Need Before
Bringing Your First Dog Home
You’ve been waiting
for this moment for years. After searching high and low for the perfect dog,
you’re ready to bring your first pet home. Or are you? Before you introduce
your dog to his new home, make sure you have these five necessities.
A
Pet-Friendly Place to Live
Renting with pets
can be challenging. Before adopting a dog, make sure your current home allows
pets and that you’re prepared to find pet-friendly housing if you have to move.
You should also
consider the type of dog your home can accommodate. If you live in an apartment
without a yard, look at small breeds who don’t need a lot of space to play.
Large and high-energy breeds like Dobermans, Australian Shepherds and Labrador
Retrievers do best in homes with fenced yards where they can run. Keep in mind
that not all small-breed dogs are laid back. The American Kennel Club places
Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Russell Terriers, and Miniature Pinschers among the most active dog breeds.
A
Great Veterinarian
Your dog’s first
vet appointment won’t be long after his adoption day. If you bought a puppy or
adopted a dog from an animal shelter or rescue, he may need booster vaccines to
establish immunity against a number of nasty illnesses. The first vet
appointment is also a good opportunity to get a prescription for flea, tick,
and heartworm preventative and have your dog microchipped. If your dog isn’t
spayed or neutered, schedule this important procedure as well.
Get recommendations
from friends and neighbors for a great veterinarian in your area, and make sure
you’re prepared for the first appointment. By establishing a
relationship with a vet you trust, you can protect your pet’s health for life.
An
Exercise Plan
Dog ownership
completely transforms your household routines. Lazy mornings become neighborhood
walks and couch potato evenings turn into backyard play sessions. While it’s a
lot of fun, it’s a lot of responsibility too. If you don’t keep up with your
pet’s exercise needs, it could lead to unwanted behaviors in your new pet. Have
a plan for getting your dog plenty of exercise every day. If you have a family,
assign exercise duties so your dog gets trips outside every few hours. If
you’re running the house solo, make use of dog walkers (which can run between $18
and $22 for a 30- to 40-minute walk) to get your dog exercise while
you’re at work.
Don’t forget to buy
a leash and harness so you’re prepared for your first walk! While it’s still
important for your dog to have a collar to carry ID tags, Whole Dog Journal
explains why harnesses are better for walks.
Training
Tips
Even the sweetest
pooch needs training to become a well-behaved member of your household.
Unfortunately, first-time dog owners often underestimate the training time
commitment. As Modern Dog Magazine explains, training should happen multiple
times a day, every day. And it doesn’t stop once your pet knows a few commands.
To build a strong relationship between owner and pet, make training a lifelong
endeavor.
As a first-time dog
owner, it’s a good idea to work with a professional trainer to teach your dog
basic obedience and teach you how to train your pet effectively.
Tools
for Clean-Up
From muddy paws to
shedding fur, dogs are messy creatures. Make sure you’re prepared for the
reality of living alongside a four-legged family member by stocking up on
cleaning supplies. In addition to grooming tools, you’ll want an enzymatic
carpet cleaner for house-training accidents, a scooper for picking up the
backyard, and a dog shampoo to minimize smells. If you don’t have a vacuum
cleaner that’s built to handle pet fur, this is the time to upgrade. A quality
vacuum properly equipped for pet messes not only eliminates dust and fur
floating around your home, it also tackles odor and reduces dander so your
friends with allergies can still visit.
Every once in a
while, you might discover that you’re short on time and can’t devote enough
attention to all the pet hair and dander that has built up. If that’s the case,
don’t hesitate to bring in a team up who can whip your house back into shape.
When making your budget, keep in mind that a house cleaning in the Monticello,
Minnesota, area runs between $126 and $240, though a number of different
factors (location, house size, etc.) will influence that price.
Adopting a dog is a
big step. As much fun as it is, adding a dog to the household can also be
stressful if you’re not prepared. Follow these tips before bringing your dog
home and you’ll be able to spend time enjoying your new pet’s company instead
of worrying about your to-do list.
Written by our UDR friend for the benefit of UDR
Jessica Brody
Ourbestfriends.pet
mybestfriend@ourbestfriends.pet
Thank you Jessica!
