Bringing a new family member home is a huge decision and not one to be taken lightly. Depending on the size of your new dog, you’ll need to make all sorts of changes. Things in the home will need to be “dog-proofed”, and maybe even a new room will need to be reorganized!
If this is your first time bringing a puppy into your life, here are some tips to help you prepare for this new addition to your family.
Consider a Different Vehicle
Depending on the type of dog you’ve chosen, bigger dogs just need a bigger vehicle; preferably, a van. Having a bigger car to bring your dog to and from training or the vet is so much easier. Everyone will enjoy the extra breathing room.
If you have a vehicle you’ve been itching to get rid of, but don’t have the time to sell or think it’s worth selling, there is another option: donate it and give back to animals! Places like The Humane Society take donated vehicles. They’ll sell your old car and use the funds to benefit the animals. If donating your vehicle is something of interest to you as a way to give back to other pups like your own, make sure to read this car donation checklist to make sure your vehicle is eligible.
Gather All Necessary Supplies
Make sure to have everything ready before your puppy comes. That way, you’ll have everything prepared when they make it home, and you won’t have to make any late-night dashes to the store for something you forgot. You’ll need things like:
- A collar
- A leash
- Food and water bowls
- ID tag
You’ll also want to get toys, a bed, and maybe even a crate if you plan on leaving your pet home alone during the day.
Housetraining
Your new pet might not be housetrained, even if they’re older. A puppy definitely will not be! Make sure you are prepared for the messes that may follow from an untrained dog! Puppy pee pads will make your life easier during the training period.
Make sure to read up on house training before your new pet comes home. Pets respond to consistency and routine. You want to have a plan set in place for how you will train your new pet before they arrive. But just in case, make sure you buy some pet stain remover before the big day, too.
Make Sure They’re Healthy
If your pet is from an animal shelter, they could come from all sorts of backgrounds. They may not have been previously vaccinated, spayed, neutered, etc. Also, sicknesses can be spread through an animal shelter as well.
Make sure to take your new pet to a veterinarian one week after bringing them home, to cross out any risk of serious illness or disease. If you’re considering getting pet insurance, it’s smart to set this up before your pet’s appointment, as pet insurances don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
Final Thoughts
Deciding to adopt a new pet is a huge responsibility. This is a living, breathing creature that is relying on you for life! It should sound a little stressful because it is! You are now solely responsible for their food, water, shelter, entertainment, and health.
With all that responsibility comes endless and unconditional love from your pet, which will make caring for them all worth it in the end. That being said, however: it is imperative that you ready your home for your new pet before they get there. Everything will be very hectic anyway, especially if you already have other pets at the home. Having everything ready at your house will make the transition of bringing home your new pet go as smoothly as possible.
