Finding your new four-legged best friend is an exciting time, but it can also come with a certain amount of anxiety. Follow these tips and both you and your new furry friend will be fast pals in no time. It’s all about patience and consistency.
Make a list of supplies you’ll need
To make sure your pup has all the essentials required to stay healthy and happy, you should have a checklist of essential items for your dog. From food and water bowls to toys and training treats, this checklist will help you ensure that your pooch has everything they need to get adjusted to a new home. It’s a good idea to get acquainted with your local pet store because you’ll probably be making some repeat visits to stock up on supplies.
Prep your home
Preparing your home before bringing in a new pet involves making sure the environment is safe, providing necessary items like food and a bed, as well as introducing the pet to its new surroundings in a welcoming way. As you may not be aware of your dog’s bad (or good) habits such as chewing, be sure your favorite shoes and books are placed out of the dog’s sight until you become more familiar with their personality.
Dog expert Cesar Millan advises that it’s important that you enter the home first, rather than your dog. This will help establish you as the pack leader and set your new dog up for feeling more comfortable in your home and understanding boundaries.
Establish a routine and ground rules
About those boundaries… Just like people, dogs thrive on structure and routine. You’ll need to set boundaries about where your dog can and can’t go, and what it can and can’t play with. Stay consistent with these limitations to avoid causing your pup unnecessary confusion and yourself unnecessary stress. Be sure you’re walking, feeding, and playing with your dog at similar times every day. This will help your dog get settled much faster, and help the transition to a new home go smoother for everyone.
Start potty training early
Unless you want to constantly be cleaning up “accidents,” it’s imperative that you get your new dog started on house training as early as possible. A consistent routine of going outside to go to the bathroom with positive reinforcement is a great place to start. Contrary to the old wives’ tale, rubbing your dog’s nose in their “accident” will not benefit the housetraining process, as it will just instill fear and stress in their everyday life. Visit the Humane Society’s website for more information on house training.
Establish a feeding area
If your new dog is your only pet, this is pretty simple: just put your dog’s bowl where you’d like it to eat and it will learn “this is the spot where I’m fed” pretty quickly. If you have other pets, you may want to feed your new pet in another room or at least another corner from where your other pets are eating to avoid stealing or quarrels.
Take your dog for regular walks
While just letting your dog out to run in the backyard might help your dog get some energy out, it doesn’t establish you as the pack leader. Grab the leash and take your dog for regular walks around the neighborhood.
If you’re a resident of Caliterra, taking your dog for a stroll on one of our walking trails will not only get your pooch some physical exercise, but it builds a routine and helps to establish a strong bond of trust between you and your pet.
Caliterra is a great community for dog owners—we not only have a great trail system, we even have a dog park! If you’d like to learn more about the numerous amenities of this master-planned community, reach out to our team today.
