Bringing Your New Dog Home

So you've taken the plunge and adopted a dog of your own. Congratulations! What do you do now?

Supplies

  • Collar and leash
  • Water and food bowl
  • Toys
  • Identifications tag

Welcome Home

  • Try to arrange the arrival of your new dog for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days
  • Spend some quality time together
  • Remember not to neglect other pets and people in your household

Heath Care

  • If you already have dogs or cats at home, make sure they are up-to-date on their shots and in good health before introducing your new pet dog.
  • Take your new dog to the veterinarian within a week after adoption.
  • If your dog has not been spayed or neutered, make that appointment!

House Rules

Work out your dog-care regimen in advance among the human members of your household. Decide things like:

  • Who will walk and feed him?
  • Will Fido be allowed on the couch, or won't he?
  • Are there any rooms in the house that are off -limits?

House Training

Always assume that your new pet is not housetrained, and work from there. Read over the housetraining information given to you at the time of the adoption

Crating

Crates may look to you like the canine equivalent of a jail cell, but to your dog, who instinctively likes to den, it's a room of his own.
Do not crate your dog all day, or he will consider it a jail cell.
The crate should not contain wire where his collar or paws can get caught.
He should be able to stand up, turn around and sit comfortably in normal posture

Let the Games Begin

  • Dogs need an active life so that means you should plan plenty of exercise and game time for your pet.
  • If running in the park is too energetic for your tastes, try throwing a ball or a stick, or just going for a long walk together.
  • If you are visiting family or friends, bring your dog and a leash along

A Friend for Life

Be reasonable in your expectations. Life with you is a different experience for your new companion, so give him time to adjust. You will soon find out that you have made a friend for life.