Bringing Home Your New Dog

Bringing Home Your New Dog 

By LukEli K-9, Dog Training and Behavior Modification Professionals

So, you found the perfect new furry member to add to your household, now what?

Here are five simple steps to follow before bringing home your new dog.

1.     Make sure you have all the supplies needed for your new pet BEFORE you bring them into your home.

Scrappy Doo, LukEli's first foster,
on his adoption day!

Things like feeding and watering bowls are not the only necessary items you need to be fully and properly prepared for Fido. Make sure you have a leash and collar with when you pick up your new dog. It is also a good idea to have some sort of ID tag on the dog too. Remember your new dog does not know you well yet; if for some reason they get loose from you the chance that they will respond to you calling them back to you is very low. The ID tag will help get them home safely again.

Be sure to have a few different types of toys for your new pet to play with as well as a nice comfy spot that is designated just for them. If you plan on crate training your dog, their crate can serve as their designated area, as long as you take the time to make the crate a positive experience. (We will talk more in depth about crate training in tomorrow’s blog.)

Most importantly don’t forget food! Most breeders and rescues will give a day or two worth of food the dog is already eating. This will give you time to go out and buy the same food or to easily transition his belly slowly to a new food (If you need help determining what food’s best to feed your dog, we can help! We’ll have a class on nutrition you’ll be able to sign up for coming soon).

2.     Plan to bring home your dog on a weekend or during a time where you can take a day or two off work.

It is important to plan to bring your dog home when you have time to spend with him. Spend time just hanging out with your dog petting and talking to him. Let him make positive associations with you and your voice.

Weekends are great because you will have at least two days to spend with your dog. Take time to slowly introduce your new dog to other dogs in the household and other people in your home. (We will be posting another blog about dog/dog introductions)

3.     Make sure both the new dog and any other pets in the household are up to date on all vaccinations.

Reputable breeders will have already vaccinated their dogs before sending them home with you. If adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue most will only adopt out healthy vaccinated animals. However, it is still very important to make sure other pets in your home are up to date too, as some shelter dogs may carry disease home to your unvaccinated pet.  

4.     Try to set up an easy to follow regimen for all members of your household to follow.

Dogs do better with structure. Take time to set up a schedule with all members of your household: plan on walking your new pet, feeding them, potty breaks, training, and don’t forget play time!

Something to keep in mind when bringing home a new pet, even one who is already potty trained; it is not unusual for them to have a few accidents the first few weeks. Take them out often and watch carefully for signs that they may need to go outside. Soon you will be able to know the signs that indicate they need to potty and how long they can hold it between potty breaks.

5.     Enroll in training classes.

Once you get settled with your new pet, it is a very good idea to enroll in some form of training classes. Whether it is private lessons or group classes, getting help from a professional trainer will help set you and your new pet up for success. Reading books about training is great as well, but there’s just no substitute for hands on practical training and dynamic learning. Plus, when you understand how to better communicate what you want with your dog, you and your family will have a happy, well-balanced furry family member for years to come.