If you find yourself thinking about getting a new puppy or even talking about it with your family, there are many things to consider. Don’t make the mistake of rushing the decision, a new puppy is a big change and there are many considerations to make. Here are ten tips to ensure a positive transition for both you and your new friend.
Do you really want a dog?
The most important tip for anyone thinking about getting a puppy is to look long and hard at their life, expectations, and comfort. If you despise the cold and rain, you are certainly not going to want to take a dog out for daily runs. The same is true for those who don’t have a lot of spare time. A puppy will turn your life upside down, in positive and negative ways. Shelters are overrun with unwanted dogs and cats that were obtained during the lockdown. Puppies are adorable and fun, but they will always grow into adult dogs who may be less cute, especially if training takes a back seat when time is scarce. Think about your lifestyle and how a dog will fit into it.
Is everyone on board?
Is your significant other as excited at the prospect of a new puppy as you are? Or have they voiced concerns that they aren’t ready for such a commitment? It’s essential that everyone is happy to welcome a new family member into the home as it can cause unnecessary strife and friction. Puppies can be shockingly destructive, and the latest addition will affect everyone in the house.
Time each day
If you know you’ll be headed back to the office in the future, or you will soon be away from home for other reasons, be sure you have a plan for what your puppy will be up to for that time. If you’re going to be away for more than 4 hours with a puppy or 6 hours with a fully grown dog, you need a plan for a potty break. Some opt to hire a dog walker or have a friend stop by to let their dog out for a midday pee.
Research your breed
If you are purchasing a purebred dog, be sure you have a good understanding of what your dog will need from you. For example, high-energy breeds will need a lot of exercise daily. If this need is not met, destructive and negative behavior can occur. Talk to breeders, people who already own the breed, and be sure to research thoroughly. Some breeds are more wary of strangers and can require more training and socialization, be sure you can provide it! Mixed breeds can also be a mixed bag of needs, and behavioral quirks, so proper training is vital.
Cost
Like most things in life, there is an expense to owning a dog. If you choose to get, pet insurance be sure you can afford the monthly fee. On top of this, a large breed dog can cost over $100 a month in food, depending on the type you choose. In addition, vet checks, vaccinations, grooming, and care costs add up quickly, so be sure you’re ready for a 10-15 year commitment to these expenses. If this seems like too much at the moment, a wonderful option is to foster for a local rescue. Rescues frequently need homes to ease the transition for shelter dogs and provide a more comfortable place for the dog to stay before going on to their ‘forever home. While you foster, all expenses are usually covered.
Environment
There are some primary considerations to take into account regarding your home space. Ensuring the safety of your new pet is paramount. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your pet’s physiology and what can be potentially harmful; Puppies are notorious chewers. If you have kids in the house, ensure everyone knows not to leave important items lying around. Cables, area rugs, and decorative items should all be watched carefully or secured. Some species of plants are highly toxic to dogs, so research them and be sure they are safe or move them to a different room. Finally, be sure you have an area your puppy is allowed to rest in without being bothered. Puppies have a lot of energy but also rest much of the time. There must be an area they can retire to without being pet, picked up, or overstimulated. This could be a crate, room, or fenced-off area.
Prepare for your puppy
Be sure you have the same food your puppy has been eating, enough for at least a week. Transitioning to a different brand (if you choose to) should be done very gradually over two weeks to prevent stomach upset. Think ahead to what your puppy will need as they grow. Nails will have to be trimmed, its coat taken care of, water dish kept full. Make out a list of everything you think you will need, and buy it before the puppy comes home. Chew toys are a must. If you want to discourage your puppy from chewing things, you’d rather them not, be sure you have lots and, I mean, LOTS of appropriate things they can chew. This means you will have to put up with a certain amount of puppy things strewn about your home, but it’s essential for them to chew something, and for them to do that, they have to have access to appropriate toys 24/7.
Secure a veterinarian before you get your puppy
With the influx of “COVID pets,” many vet offices are at capacity and not accepting new patients. So be sure to call around and find a spot for your puppy before you bring them home. Not having a vet will make it very difficult to ensure your puppy stays up to date on vaccines and checkups, important things for a growing dog.
Work out a schedule
An 8-week old puppy is not unlike a newborn; they will have to potty every hour or two during the day for the first week or so you have them home. This means you will almost certainly be up in the middle of the night to ensure no accidents occur. Keeping track of when puppy last went pee and poo may sound a bit over the top, but knowing when the puppy needs to go will cut down drastically on accidents. This becomes even more important if you have multiple people in the home. Keep track on a whiteboard the last time the puppy went pee and poo for everyone to see; this way, it doesn’t rest on one person to navigate potty training during the busy first few weeks at home. If you opt to use pee pads, please remember that this can cause considerable delays in potty training. Also, anytime you encourage indoor elimination, it will be more challenging to transition to outdoor-only breaks.
Keep their world small
Giving your new puppy the entire run of the house is not recommended. If you do so, they will instinctively find an out-of-the-way place to make their private bathroom. Too much space gives a puppy too many decisions to make too soon. Instead, choose an area of the house you spend most of your time in (puppies and dogs want to be with their people) and block off areas your pup does not need to visit. Not only does this decrease the amount of “bad” things they can find to chew, but it also allows you to keep a close watch over them for signs they need to go outside for a pee break. As your dog gets older, you can expand the area they are allowed to roam in. If you find this causes an increase in accidents, decrease the area again.
Kids? Talk to them
Puppies have sharp teeth, lots of energy, and aren’t always cuddly. Talk to your kids about appropriate interactions with animals. Small children should never be allowed to carry puppies around, as they can be easily injured if dropped. Sitting on, hugging tightly, or being rough with the puppy are big no-nos as this could not only hurt the puppy, it can create too much excitement, leading to nips with those sharp puppy teeth! Instead, model slow, calm interactions with the puppy. Appropriate play with a rubber toy to occupy those teeth and be respectful of the puppy’s quiet time.
Invest in a professional trainer
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your new puppy is to hire a trainer off on the right foot. Investing in a professional is the best way to get you quickly training correctly and efficiently (which leads to correctly and efficiently trained dogs). Weekly group classes are fantastic for exposing a new puppy to different smells, sounds, and sights, which are essential for development. Learning to work with your dog around distractions in such classes is important for shaping a well-socialized and focused dog. When looking for a dog trainer, be sure to ask where their credentials come from and if they use positive reinforcement only. Trainers who use force or aversive methods should be avoided, especially for young puppies.
If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to having a peaceful and enjoyable transition for both you and your new puppy!
