Bringing home a new dog, whether it's a playful puppy or an adult dog, is an exciting but responsible task. It's important to prepare your home and family to ensure a smooth transition for your new best friend. This comprehensive guide will help you through the key considerations when welcoming a new dog into your home.

 

Preparations for a Puppy

 

Puppy-Proof Your Home

• Remove hazards like toxic plants, chemicals, small objects, and choking risks. Check children's rooms for items to remove or use baby gates to block off inaccessible areas.

• Secure cabinets, trash cans, and anything a curious puppy might access.

• Install safety gates or barriers to block areas with stairs or dangerous objects, but don't isolate the puppy from the rest of the family; they should be part of the household.

 

Equipment

• Purchase essential supplies such as food bowls, a cozy bed, toys suitable for puppy teeth, and grooming tools.

• Get a leash and harness for walks.

• Consider a crash-safe crate for the car and use it indoors initially to teach the puppy to stay in it during travel.

 

Feeding and Nutrition

• Buy puppy food and establish a feeding schedule (4 times per day). Consult your breeder for guidance; initially, the puppy should eat the same food it ate at the breeder for a couple of days, then you can slowly switch to another food. If you choose to cook your own food, you can start phasing it in immediately.

• Educate yourself about dog nutrition; rely on independent research as the pet industry may promote processed food that isn't always the healthiest option.

 

Health Check

• Schedule one for a general health assessment if the puppy hasn't had a vet check.

• Learn about vaccinations. Our veterinarians receive their training funded by the pharmaceutical industry, which profits from every shot and every side effect. I'm not saying you shouldn't vaccinate; I'm saying you should make an informed decision based on your own research about the risks of injecting heavy metals and other potentially harmful ingredients into your dog.

• Learn about potential health issues specific to the breed.

 

Training and Socialization

• Enroll in puppy training classes to learn basic commands and proper behavior.

• Expose your puppy to different people, animals, and environments for socialization, but ensure it's at the puppy's pace. Protect your puppy from individuals or dogs that don't respect their boundaries.

 

Safety Measures

• Have cleaning supplies for accidents on hand.

• Keep paper towels and a mop easily accessible indoors and establish a designated outdoor area for potty training.

• Be prepared for car rides with a crate or safety harness. Some puppies may get car sick, so have paper towels and a bag for disposal. Sometimes it can help to insert a pine twig into the dog. Pine secretes a substance that can be somewhat calming to many dogs.

 

Time and Patience

• Dedicate time to build a bond through play and training.

• Be patient with accidents; never scold the puppy for indoor accidents as it can create fear. Take them outside immediately after eating/drinking, sleeping, and playing.

 

A Calm and Safe Environment

• Limit visitors during the first few weeks to reduce stress for your puppy.

• Take the puppy out to the same place each time in the beginning. This means that the puppy recognizes its own scent and feels more secure, but also learns to understand what it should do outside.

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Ensure your home is a calm and secure place, providing the right conditions for your new puppy to adapt to their new life in your family.

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Show the puppy a designated spot where they can always find peace and privacy, like a bed in a quiet corner where they won't be disturbed.