Getting Ready For Your New Dog Or Puppy

Getting a new pet can be an exciting thing but it can also be a little stressful, especially if it is your first pet. By being prepared you can enjoy more of the fun moments. It’s nice to have some of the details taken care of so you can tend to your new furry friend. Remember this is a big adjustment for him too. Some pets adjust more quickly than others, but by preparing things should run more smoothly which can help nip some potential problems in the bud.

You’ve went through the process of deciding what type of pet is best for you, you’ve decided where to get him or her and have found the right fit. There are some supplies you’ll need to get beforehand and some you can pick up shortly after bringing home your new pet. The supplies you’ll need will vary somewhat depending on whether you’re bringing home a puppy or a dog.

One of the first things you will need is something to bring him home in — a pet carrier. You can get something fancy or simple just make sure it it the right size for the pet that will be using it. You may want to let him sit in your lap, but this can be a bad idea, especially since he may be nervous and you don’t know how he will react on the way home.

Puppy-proofing your house is essential if you’re bringing home a puppy. They love to chew on things and sometimes they swallow things they shouldn’t or they may go for some of your favorite items. You don’t want to have to take the new puppy to the vet right away because he swallowed something he shouldn’t have, so make sure things are out of his reach.

The reason puppies chew so much is because it’s a natural behavior. You can’t and shouldn’t try to stop the behavior, instead be prepared for his arrival and have a few chew toys waiting for him. Typically if you keep chew toys on hand and keep your favorite items off of the floor you’ll be ok.

It’s also good to have the puppy or dog food, the food and water dishes, and a few toys set up before bringing your new puppy or dog home. If you have everything set up ahead of time you will be able to enjoy spending time with your new pet instead of spending that time organizing his space. This will also help him get to know where to find the food and water and the toys.

You will want to be prepared with a collar and a leash right away too. It’s safer to keep him on a leash, especially at first. Remember he may be a little nervous and he won’t be familiar with his surroundings. Having him on a leash will also prevent him from chasing after a squirrel and darting into the street.

You will also want to get a pet id tag right away. No one wants to think about loosing a pet but this is an important precaution. This is even more important during the transition period, before you build those habits and before he is familiar with the new surroundings.

Some things you might want to consider shortly after bringing your new pet home include training or other types of reference books, training treats, a pet gate or an enzyme cleaner to help with messes until he is potty trained.