Introduction
Congratulations on taking the exciting step to become a first-time dog owner! Bringing a furry friend into your life can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of responsibilities and challenges. In this quick-tip guide, we will provide you with some ideas and advice to ensure that you embark on this journey fully prepared to make it a pawsitive experience for both you and your new canine companion.
What to Consider Before Bringing Your New Furry Friend Home
- Research and Choose the Right Breed
Identify the ideal breed for your lifestyle, finances and living situation. If you’re an active person and want your dog to go with you on adventures, find the right breed whose temperament will be suitable. If you live in a smaller apartment, research smaller breeds that are best suited to this type of lifestyle.
Really dive into the type of temperament, energy level and size of dog you want.
And do thorough research on your chosen breed’s possible breed specific conditions (and consider pet insurance from an early age!).
- Adoption vs. Buying
The benefits of adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization is incredible! There are so many dogs waiting for their Forever Homes and rescue dogs are typically super grateful animals who bond deeply with their adoptive parents.
If your heart is set on a breed, do thorough research in locating a responsible breeder – we can’t stress this enough. Doing due diligence will work out best for you and your best friend in the long run.
- Preparing Your Home
Dog-proof your living space to ensure safety. Check for sharp edges, loose carpets, anything that can shatter and break which could lead to injuries.
Set up a comfortable and designated area for your new dog. Many dog owners believe in crates, while some create a ‘nook’ for their dog’s bed and toys.
Dogs need to feel safe and know they have their ‘own space’ for some doggy me-time and of course bedtime.
Welcoming Your New Dog
- The First Meeting
Create a calm and welcoming environment for the first encounter between your new dog and your home.
Build trust and form a strong bond from the beginning. Besides snacks and a ton of love, consider puppy and socialization classes. Early dog behaviour classes do wonders for the new doggo and its owners! Rope in the whole family and make it a fun, and loving, team effort.
- Establishing a Routine
The importance of a consistent daily schedule for feeding, exercise, and bathroom breaks is incredibly important. It makes the dog feel safe, cared for and stable, while helping the owner grow accustomed to caring for the new member in the home.
Nurturing a Happy and Healthy Dog
- Health and Nutrition
Schedule a visit to the veterinarian for vaccinations and a wellness check immediately after bringing your new dog home. Taking care of your dog’s health from Day 1 can help prevent complications later in life.
Choosing the right food based on your dog’s age and breed is vitally important. There are also excellent joint support supplements available for especially larger breeds/and or older adopted dogs that can be added to their daily nutrition.
- Exercise and Socialization
Regular exercise helps to not just maintain physical health for your new dog, but also mental health! They need to move and play just like we do. And in fact, exercising and playing with your dog is just as healthy for us as humans too.
Register your puppy or older adopted dog into socialization classes early so that you can both enjoy long walks in the park, on the beach and in the neighbourhood without worrying about your doggo being insecure or aggressive around other people or animals.
- Grooming and Hygiene
Do research to understand the grooming needs based on your dog’s breed and coat type.
Regular grooming routines keep your dog clean and healthy. And this also acts as a bonding tool between you and your dog. Nothing beats the pampering by a pet parent for your dog!
If you’re a working pet parent and need some groom assistance, research reputable groomers with reviews and referrals. There are many amazing groomers in South Africa, and if you choose the right one, your dog will enjoy a pampering dog-spa session every coupl of weeks!
- Safety and Security
When outdoors, it’s always best to use a leash, unless of course your dog is secure and socialized. Make sure their collar has an identification tag, and microchipping your dog is highly recommended.
Before your new dog comes home, make sure your fence or wall is high enough to prevent escapes. Some dog breeds are excellent climbers and high jumpers and see ‘breaking out of the yard’ as a game – which can be very dangerous for your dog, other dogs and even humans.
Common Challenges and Solutions
- Dealing with Behavioural Issues
Addressing common behavioural problems like barking, chewing, and digging can be done by attending puppy and socialization classes early. If your dog is an older adopted dog with these behavioural problems, finding a responsible and well-referred dog behaviourist is recommended.
Providing appropriate toys and training your dog with positive reinforcement can help deter these behaviours. Remember: patience and consistency is key.
- Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is more common than normally expected. You can find signs of separation anxiety online, but best is to consult with your vet if you suspect your dog is suffering from this behaviour.
There are lots of tips to help you gradually acclimate your dog to your absence.
If the behaviour is destructive or debilitating, best is to consult with a dog behaviourist. A responsible behaviourist will give you the tools to cope with the behaviour and bring peace of mind to you and your dog.
Final Thoughts
Welcome to Pet Parenthood! Get ready to embark on a wonderful journey with your new furry companion. These are a just a few tips we can think of to assist in your journey and help you make informed choices. There are loads more tips and ideas online, in books, from your vet, and of course behaviourists.
Responsible dog ownership might even involve taking precautionary measures to help your fur-buddy with unforeseen medical expenses. Consider pet insurance early. Just because they’re young and healthy now does not mean they’ll always be issue-free. Rather be safe, (PawPaw Pet Insurance is happy to help ) and sleep peacefully at night knowing your new dog is covered now, and in the future!
Yours in Paws,
The PawPaw Team