Whether you’re looking for a companion for yourself or your kids have been begging you for a dog, your new pet will make an excellent addition to your household. Dogs can bring so much joy into your life, but it is important to make sure that you’re ready to be a responsible dog owner. As well as making sure that you can afford to have a dog, you’ll also need to prepare your home for their arrival. Below are some of the key things you’ll need to have in place before they come home with you.
Food & Treats
You’ll need to make sure that you’re providing your dog with a nutritious diet, and it’s always worth doing some research into your dog’s breed to check if there are any special requirements you’ll need to accommodate. If you have friends or relatives with dogs, ask them or your vet for food brand recommendations. You should also make sure that you have some dog treats at the ready too, as this can help you with training and bonding with your new dog. Another thing that you might want to have at home are supplements for dogs to make sure they’re getting all the right nutrition; you can find a variety of supplements at Buddy and Lola.
Beds, Toys, and Other Accessories
You’ll need to provide your new dog with a comfortable place to sleep, so purchase a quality dog bed before their arrival. This may also act as their safe space while they are getting used to their new surroundings and family, so put it in a quieter corner of the house to help keep them calm. You’ll also need a dog lead, collar, balls to play catch, chew toys, and food bowls. You may also want to get gates if you don’t want your dog going in certain areas of the house, pet flaps for your back door, and coats and blankets for when the weather gets colder.
Move Breakables and Lock-Up Cleaning Products
If you have kids in the house, chances are that your cleaning products and breakable items are already securely tucked away in a safe place or moved out of reach. If you don’t have kids or certain items are on lower shelves that could get broken, it’s worth moving them out of the way as your dog could easily knock them over or try eating something that could cause them harm. You might even want to switch to non-toxic cleaning products for a safer solution for your new pet, too.
Make Sure Your Garden is Secure
Finally, if you are bringing a dog home you need to make sure that your property is secured properly. It’s not uncommon for dogs to run outside, and if your outdoor areas aren’t gated or there is a hole in the fence, it will be easy for your dog to get out. You can use gates inside your house to stop your dog from running out when the front door is open, but you should make an effort to secure the perimeter of your property where possible.
If you are getting ready to welcome a dog into your home and family, use these tips to help you prepare for its arrival properly.