Quick Tips for Preparing Your Family for a New Pup
So, you’ve decided to get a dog for your family!
Congratulations! It is a quintessential part of the American dream, right? A
four-legged furry family member to love and adore with wags and kisses.
If you
had asked me a year ago, I would’ve told you that I’m not much of a “dog person”.
However, with one kid begging for a pet (and old enough for the responsibility)
and the other allergic to cats, we embarked on the journey of finding the right
dog for our family.
Quick Tips for
Preparing for a New Pup
Find the
right space in your home for a crate.
Crate training is a must for a
well-behaved dog. Choose a crate for your home that will fit your pup when she
is full grown. I like to have a collapsible crates
that is easy to clean –
especially in those first days of your puppy adapting to her new home.
Fill the
crate with cuddly (but washable) bedding.
We all want our pups warm and
secure at night or while we are away. Take an old t-shirt to put in with her
while you are gone.
Establish
a regular schedule for health habits.
Get in the habit early of
establishing those routine cues that help your pup know when it is time to eat,
time to go outside, and time to go to bed. Feeding schedules help with a
regular bathroom schedule. Be sure not to feed your pup too close to bedtime to
avoid messy crates or a midnight wake up call. Remember to reward to behavior you
want with treats! Find Healthy Dog Food Options
Find a
vet who can help you monitor your new pup’s healthy growth milestones.
Be a
responsible pet parent. Get your new family member properly vaccinated and well
acquainted with your local veterinarian. The local vet’s office is a great
place to make sure your new-found friend is happy, healthy…and if he were to
ever gets lost a great resource for Fido making it back home.
Plan for
your pup’s grooming and hygiene.
Depending on your pup’s breed, you may
need to have grooming items on hand for daily care. Three must-have items for
your new pup include:
* A dog brush or one of those cool gloves that
have the brush teeth are handy (ha! Pun intended!)
* Nail clippers keep those claws from scratching
up your hardwood floors.
* Organic shampoo is gentle on Fido’s skin and
coat.
Choose a
variety of chew toys….and save your shoes!
A teething pup is your shoe
collection’s worst nightmare. Keep you Jimmy Choo’s safe with a variety of chew
toys to fit your dog’s mouth, challenge his attention, and meets his mood. We
keep a few soft toy’s with squeekers (p.s. Hear Doggy Flatties with Chew Guard Technology Dog Toy has a silent squeaker and is awesome!)
plus a few of the Kong ® Brand chews on hand. If you fill the Kong chew toys
with treats or peanut butter, it will keep your pup busy for hours!
Assign
roles and responsibilities.
This is a great way to share responsibilities
and for young kids to take part in chores of taking care of your new pup. Part
of adding a furry four-legged family member to our household was clear cut
responsibilities. We have clear rules and rotations for who is responsible for
which pet chore each day. It has made my
transition to being a doggy mommy so much more enjoyable.
Adding to your family is a fun and exciting time! Embrace
this change like each new phase of your own children’s lives. A pet can create
wonderful memories and bonds for the kids, the dog, and the parents.
Remember,
a dog is a commitment. Don’t take it on lightly. Take your time finding the
right family member. We took over a year to finally decide on our Giovanni
Winston.
Until next time,
Katie
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that is easy to clean –
especially in those first days of your puppy adapting to her new home.
