If you are about to become a dog owner, you need to know that your dog’s first days home will be a period of a huge adjustment. You can make the adaptation phrase much easier all around by following the next steps.
Prepare Your House
In order for your dog to have a safe place that it can call its own, first and foremost you have to make your house puppy-proof. What this means is that you want to keep hazardous items like medicines, chemicals, poisonous plants and valuable possessions that the dog may chew out of reach . This is because dogs can be champion chewers and have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t. Ideally, you would want to create a special living space for your dog like a spot in the corner of the living room and introduce it to him. This will give your furry friend an understanding of which areas are accessible and which are not.
Stock up on Dog Products
This one is very obvious, before you bring home a new dog, you want to have at least some basic dog products so your dog can go through the adaptation phase smoothly. Your four-legged friend’s first night may be confusing and frightening. That is why giving your dog its own cozy spot where it can curl up, relax, and feel warm and comfortable is very important. Just like your bed is your most intimate and personal space in your home where you can relax and unwind, the same applies to your dog as well. Quality pet food and treats can also get your new dog off to a good start. In the beginning you should give the dog the same food that was given to him in the shelter and then slowly introduce something new, so it doesn’t have a hard time with the food changes. Other dog products to have are bowls for food and water, a leash and maybe some toys to keep the dog happy and mentally stimulated.
Relationship Building
Finally, once you have welcomed your new dog into your home, you want to give it time and space to adjust. Be patient with its behavior and commit some time to get to know your dog’s habits and personality. This is a period of trust-building, so don’t yell at the dog or try to force close contact. Once the dog has settled in and you are familiar with its responses, you can start with the training process.
