Do you think you and your family are finally ready to get a dog? Maybe you have been looking up different breeds but deep down, you just aren’t sure. Either way, this guide should help you to make that all-important decision. Keep reading for The Ultimate Guide To Preparing Your Home and Family For a New Dog.
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Research
One of the most important things that you have to think about before you go and get a dog is research. Talk to people who have been through the process of rescuing a dog if that is what you’re thinking of doing. You also need to chat with people who have had that breed of dog before as well so you can find out more about their temperament. Remember that dog care rules are constantly changing, so if you had a dog when you were younger, the process of looking after them may be much different now. You really can’t be overprepared here, and the more you can find out, the better experience you will have when you go to pick up your new pooch.
Time
You are going to have to make time for your new pet. Sure, you might know that they need walking twice a day and grooming as well, but you also need to think about booking days off work to take them to the vets and training. If the weather is awful, you still need to take them out too, even if you don’t feel like it. By asking yourself questions based on the above, you can be sure to find out if you are truly ready.
Getting up Early
If you have come to the conclusion that you do have enough time in the day to look after a dog then this is great, but you do have to make sure that you are also willing to get up early in the morning. If you are getting a puppy then there is a chance that you will have to get up every 4 hours or so to let them out. You also need to get up first thing in the morning to take them out for a walk. Remember that they might not want to spend too much time alone when you first bring them home, so they will require much more attention during this stage. If you know that you cannot function without getting a solid 8 hours sleep then you need to work out how your life is going to change when you bring a new puppy home. If you are worried about toilet training your new pet, then why not look into a rescue dog? There is a chance that they will already be toilet trained and you will be able to give them the forever home they are looking for.
Puppy-Proofing
If you are thinking about getting a puppy then you have to make sure that your home is puppy-proofed. You also have to put away any valuables, any shoes or whatever your puppy might chew on. Exposed wires and even outlets should be covered too. After all, puppies can be mischievous and the last thing that you want is for them to cause some serious damage to your home. If you want to stop your dog from causing damage, then you might also want to think about using baby gates to narrow down the area your dog can roam about the home.
Learning
You may be teaching your dog tricks and how to behave, but you will need to do a lot of learning
too. You need to learn how to read your dog and how to understand their body language too. You should be able to tell when they want to go outside, and when they are feeling overwhelmed. They will always let you know things like this in their own little way, and it is your job to make sure that you give them a good level of care when it comes to this.
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Dealing with Doggy Drool
Dogs drool, vomit and urinate. You will be dealing with some kind of waste every single day, and it is your job as a dog owner to try and make sure that you stay on top of things. Stock up on wipes, poop bags and even a carpet cleaner before you need them. When you do this, you can help yourself to stay on top of things until you get through this stage. You might not think that you need it, but you most certainly do and if you are not careful then you may end up with a problem on your hands.
Cash
Certain dogs need certain types of food. Some dogs also have digestive issues, so you may
need to invest in a more expensive dog food. Dog toys are also required, and occasionally, you will get the odd vet bill. You might not always be able to prepare for things like this, but being financially stable will most certainly help. If you want to really help your dog, then it may be worth getting them checked out by the vet when you first pick them up. When you do this, you can help to make sure that they don’t have any undiagnosed health conditions and that they are healthy. A vet can also check out their teeth too, to find out if they have gum disease. Dog bad breath is commonly caused by this, so if you suspect that there is an issue then it is always worth getting them checked out as soon as you possibly can.
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Sitting down with your Family
It is so important that everyone in your household is on board with welcoming the new dog. If they aren’t or if you know that your children are apprehensive about dogs then it is worth talking with them to find out the root of their worry. A dog is a long commitment for everyone and it is so important that you understand the way that people feel about it. It also helps to make sure that you have some kind of schedule in place when it comes to walking and feeding the dog, so everyone is on the same page.
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