Quick Tips for Preparing Your Family for a New Pup

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.

Need more ideas...check out these Must Have Dog Supplies  

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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