Adding a furry member to your family is enough reason to give anyone joy, but it is still a transition that you need to prepare for. It’s important to plan ahead so that your house and family are ready to welcome their new pet dog home. Here are five ways in which you can prepare your family for a pup.
Talk About Training Expectations
A new pet will need to first get used to your home, your family, and the rules they need to follow. With your children go over some ground rules on what’s allowed and what is not regarding the puppy. Set aside time to train your new pet where they will sleep, play, and relieve themselves. Set aside an area to keep their food and water bowls, and let your whole family know the feeding schedule to follow so that your new pet is happy and well-nourished.
Set Up a Safe Area for the Pup’s Bed and Crate
As mentioned, you need to set a place where the puppy will sleep and eat. With one in every four pet dogs in America diagnosed with one form or another of arthritis, it’s important to make sure that their crate and bed are in a place that’s easy to climb in and out of. Make sure that your new pet dog is comfortable, as they will put up less resistance to adjusting to their new environment. Ensure their space has a comfortable temperature and that there aren’t any health risks present.
Create a Bathing and Brushing Schedule
When your new pet comes home, it’s your duty to make sure that they stay clean and healthy. To achieve this, create a schedule for bathing them and brushing their teeth so they won’t develop health issues related to not being washed often or having their teeth brushed regularly. When you start this schedule immediately after they’re brought home, they will get used to it and it will be easier for everyone in the long term. It’s important to brush your dog’s teeth every two days or so. While 32% of people are concerned by how their teeth look, it’s also important your dog’s teeth look healthy so they can chew their food properly.
Purchase Fun Dog Toys for the Pup’s Arrival
Another important role played by a pet parent is making sure that their puppy has fun toys to play with so they don’t get bored, especially when spending a lot of time indoors. Shop around for these toys with your whole family, and if they want, let each child pick a toy for the new pet. You can get the toys along with grocery shopping or you can buy them online to save time if you were not planning on going for a grocery run anytime soon. It will be fun to keep the new dog happy when there are toys to let them play with.
Discuss Outdoor Safety Hazards
Since there will be periods when the dog gets to go outside, it’s good to discuss outdoor safety hazards with your children. They may be well-meaning but can still easily put the puppy at risk of injury. For instance, an average wooden pallet has more than 100 nails in it, and other materials on your property can also serve as a safety hazard for your puppy. Ensure everything’s put away and organized before bringing your furry friend home for the first time.
Follow the five tips above and get ready to be the best family for your new pet dog. They will most likely reciprocate and offer you a lot more love in return than you can imagine!
Leave a Reply