Collaborative post. I’ve been researching dogs. The kids and I really want one and like with the hamsters the husband would grow to love having one too. Yes, we love our hamsters who are amazing little guys but dogs are a whole new level of “pet”. We’re not ready just yet as I’m still doing my research, plus we need to move, but I can safely say I want one of everything!!! Ha, crazy I know, but I’m an animal person. It’s not just me thinking of getting a dog though, many of us love these fabulous 4 legged creatures and will often look to buy one from a puppy. But, there are preparations that you need to be aware of before you buy. In this post, we consider How to Prepare for a New Puppy.

How to Prepare for a New Puppy

Choosing Your Dog

You need to decide what type of dog you want initially. To do this you need to consider the amount of space you have in your home and garden as that will influence the size of dog you might select. Also, consider the amount of exercise they will need. This varies considerably with breed and age. Another thing to consider is medical issues that can occur within specific breeds. So let’s say you would like a labrador retriever for example you’d look up a site like https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-retrievers-hamilton/. These sites have information specifically on the breed of dog you are considering and can help you decide if this is the dog breed for you. I have 2 friends that would love a chocolate lab and I’m also tempted.

Find A Local Vet

Once you do get your puppy/dog you’ll need to take them to the vet. Even if you buy the puppy from a reputable dog breeder you should make sure that you get your puppy checked. Make sure vaccinations are up to date and find out if you need to bring them in for any additional vaccinations as they get older. Making sure that your puppy is healthy from the start is a good way to ensure that you have peace of mind and that your pet will grow healthy and strong.

Training

You will need to train your new puppy. There are different types of training options to consider. Also, think about whether or not you will do the training yourself or will you take dog training classes with your dog, somewhere like https://www.bestbehaviourdogtraining.co.uk/. Classes can be the better option if you’ve never trained a dog before and are highly recommended for first-time dog owners. 

Puppy Proof Your Home

One of the things you would need to do is to puppy-proof your home. Puppy proofing your home means that you take the time to ensure that your puppy will be safe in their new environment. Remove objects that are within their reach that may cause them harm.

You may need to remove rugs and furniture to make sure that your puppy does not injure themselves. Cover electrical outlets and place electrical cords safely out of harm’s way. Put a gate on your staircase just as you would if you had a young child. Puppies can fall downstairs and injure themselves very easily. Make sure that you keep human food and any medication out of the reach of your pet as some of them can be poisonous to them.

Make Potty Training a Priority

In most, instances puppies will not have been potty trained. Unless properly trained they will relive themselves anywhere and everywhere. As a result potty training is one of the first things you will look to do. Make sure that you stock up on cleaning supplies as you may well need them.

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Garden Safety

When you are bringing a new puppy home a lot of focus is often placed on how you should make your home ready for your puppy. However, you also need to ensure that you are making your backyard safe for your puppy as well. Check for any plants that may be poisonous to dogs. Make sure those are removed properly. If you have a pond or swimming pool in your yard these will need a fence or some other kind of barrier to prevent your puppy from falling in.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

If your family is anything like mine they will be very excited for the new arrival to finally make it home. Try not to overwhelm your puppy on the first few days that they are home. Give them some space while they settle in and learn everyone’s scent and the layout of their new environment. 

In conclusion

There are so many more things that need to be considered before buying a dog. These are things you need to consider carefully to make sure that getting a dog is right for you. Far too many pets are bought on a whim or the idea of having a pet and are later resold or put up for adoption. Please do make sure you also buy pets from licensed breeders as otherwise, you’ll be finding why it’s best to do this the hard way.

On the whole, having a pet whether it’s a dog, cat, hamster, or husband is very rewarding. It’s something that can not only give you companionship but also a friendly, non-judgmental ear to talk to and is also wonderful for your mental health.

Do you have any pets? If you could have a pet what would you choose?

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