Tips bring new dog home checklist: Here are some essential steps you should take into account when you bring a new dog into the house.
There is a lot of planning required when you’re bringing a new dog into your home. Unless it’s a stray dog off the street, most people plan carefully with such an addition. For instance, you need to have treats and proper dog food. Additionally, you should buy a dog bed, leash, bowls for water and food as well as toys to prepare for the arrival of your new dog.
Most people often arrange for the first vet’s appointment early enough. They also choose to talk to the entire household to make plans for welcoming the pet. For instance, you can inform your children about the new pet and rules pertaining to walking, feeding and daily practices. The big day comes around and it’s time to pick your pet.
Home Sweet Home
Of course, everyone in the entire household is excited about it. As you bring the pet home and as you pass the driveway, open up the front door and take the leash off your pet and inside the animal goes. If you don’t know it by now, trouble starts here. You need to be prepared if you need everything to go off without a hitch.
If you need your pet to be properly disciplined, you need to teach him/her the house rules, set boundaries and also bring up limitations on the get-go. The moment your dog enters the house, you need to set a proper message because this moment is critical. Basically, you will establish the ground rules at this time and you need to do it right. You can always let her run into the door but make sure that he/she understands the rules.
Don’t tell your dog to do whatever they want because you have immediately conferred the message that there are no limitations, boundaries or rules. That means immediately, your pet will start eating shoes, will not be housebroken and will always beg for everything. Additionally, you should expect your dog to climb on the furniture, jump on your guests when they arrive into your home. Now, you will be completely stressed trying to find out what’s wrong with your new dog.
Keep in mind that bringing a new dog into your home is a very delicate process that needs to be handled properly. Here are some essential steps you should take into account when you bring a new dog into the house.
1. Always Remain Calm
It’s very tempting to greet the new pet with excitement since you have added a new member of the family. However, you need to remain calm at all times. Yes, you can welcome the dog into your home but don’t give him/her more than the minimum allowed affection or attention. Remember, you’re taking the dog from a familiar space and taking her to a completely new place. The entire time you’re inducting the pet into your home, you need to remain calm.
2. Long Walks
When you get your pet home, you need to keep him/her on a leash since you’re going on long walks through the neighborhood. The leash will serve two purposes here. You can drain the excess energy allowing you to calm him/her. Additionally, the dog will become acquainted to new smells, sounds and sights allowing him/her to acclimate to the neighborhood.
3. Introducing The Dog To Your Home
Once you have taken the walk, you need to keep the dog in the leash for a proper introduction around the house. Regardless of whether you’re staying in a condo, an apartment or a house with a backyard, don’t let him/her get into the house first. First, you need to open the door and lead the way. It’s advisable to make the dog lie down and wait patiently as you open the door. The dog shouldn’t be allowed into the house unless you have made the official invite.
4. Give Your Pet A Proper Tour
Once you have invited your pet into the house, you need to keep him/her on the leash as you give a proper tour, from one room to the other. Don’t allow the dog to wander or sniff around the house aimlessly.
Always spend a little time in each room before moving on to the next one. Also, you should make sure you’re the first one going into every room. This is the best way to establish your leadership over the pet. Once you go into the room first, the pet has to wait for your invitation to enter or get out of the room. You need to do this consistently and don’t allow the pet to follow you into the other room without permission. The same goes with your backyard, garden or patio to make sure the dog understands the rules.
5. Avoid Touching, Talking Or Eye-Contact
During the tour you should avoid touching, talking or making eye contact with the pet. You should use your body language to communicate and use simple sounds or finger snaps. Keep the stimulation to a minimum since your dog is quite overwhelmed and allow the focus to be solely on you.
6. The Feeding Area
Now you can take the dog to the area with food and water. You can also add some treats or reward but make sure your pet is still on a leash. If you want some more tips on feeding then check out this site – The Happy Pooch.
7. The Pet’s Sleeping Area
Have you set aside a special sleeping area for your pet, away from the rest of the activities in the household? It’s time to take the pet there. Now, you can take off the leash. Basically, you’re telling the dog this is where you sleep and it’s your personal space. If he/she decides to settle down and ignore the family for a while, don’t be too alarmed. Now, your pet has actually found a place they belong.
8. Calm And Assertive Energy
Now, you can proceed with the rest of the day exuding calm and assertive energy. Make sure the rest of the household ignores the pet and continues with their business as usual. If your pet joins you, acknowledge it but don’t be too affectionate. He/she is still getting used to the new house just as you’re getting used to have a pet around.
