Any time you’re considering bringing home a new dog to enrich your daily life, be sure everything in your daily schedule and the supportive community is ready for the new addition. Dog adoption is a wonderful activity, and with National Puppy Day just around the corner, there will be many homes ready for wagging tails and licked faces.

With that being said, there are some things you need to prepare so both your dog and you feel comfortable and at ease as you learn how to adapt to one another. Let’s review some top things to know about adopting a pet.

 

 

What are the Responsibilities of Adopting a Pet?

Over 65 million households around the U.S. own a dog. These are wonderful animals full of love and quirky personalities sure to make you smile. Before you sign on the dotted line with pet adoption, there are a few realities you need to consider.

To start with, dogs need training. They are not born understanding that outdoors is the potty and not your recently purchased white rug. In addition, you’ll need to devote a good chunk of time to walking, exercise, and positive reinforcement. If you work 14 hours a day and barely get any time to relax, you may not have the time to invest in a new puppy.

Finally, dogs are not cheap. While they certainly won’t break the bank, you need to take them to veterinarians for healthcare and invest in a few pet-related supplies like food, toys, and bedding. This creates a safe space where your doggy can flourish.

 

 

What Age Dog is Right for You?

As you explore the various ins and outs of dog adoption, you must focus on breeds and age considerations. A young herding breed will be extremely more active than an older bloodhound. Think about it this way:

• Adopting Puppies: These are under a year old and have a ton of energy. They also need immediate healthcare to establish immunities and will not have the socialization with humans and other animals to remain calm, meaning you’ll need to train.
• Adult Dogs: While less training is required, there will be an adjustment period where they learn about you and your environment, and you get to know their current habits.
• Senior Dogs: Senior pups are calmer and have lower energy. You may be out of luck if you expect to go jogging with them. As they enter the later years, there is a shorter commitment, but that also comes with more frequent vet visits.

No matter what age or breed you choose, dog adoption has many rewards. Plenty of studies show dogs help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. They encourage you to get out and exercise a little, even if that is a 15-minute daily walk. Plus, they are incredibly loving, making you feel more welcome in your home.

Now, let’s talk about what to prepare when moving forward with dog adoption.

 

 

What to Do When Bringing Your Dog Home

#1 – Create an Adoption Pet Supplies Checklist

Your dog needs a welcoming space to feel at peace. That will require some essentials, including:

• Collar & Leash
• ID Tag with Contact Info
• Food & Water Bowls
• Dog Bed
• Grooming Supplies
• Training Pads
• Treats
• Toys

For the collar and leash, you should check out the Petbobi Dog Runner for your yard, which is at least 50 feet. This will give you complete peace of mind for your pet’s safety while allowing the four-legged friend to roam as they’d like.

 

 

#2 – Dog-Proof Your Digs

Like it or not, a new dog will chew on things. Be sure to hide away soft goods like blankets, slippers, or anything else you don’t want assessed by the pup. You should also remove any poisonous cleaners or plants they can easily get to.

Invest in some alternative Petbobi chew toys that help foster healthy teeth and enrich your dog’s mind as they adjust to your home.

 

 

#3 – Ease Into Dog Adoption

National Puppy Day often results in a lot of families picking up puppies before they’re ready. Dog ownership takes patience. Before you bring your dog home, spend time with them in a neutral space so they learn how you interact.

When you do bring them home, try going room by room over multiple days. This gives them time to adjust so they feel 100% comfortable and supported as they explore.

 

 

#4 – Create Routines

The best way to train dogs is with routine and consistency. New puppies especially have to understand how things happen around your home by seeing them performed over and over again.

This means you must maintain a regular eating, feeding, walking, and sleeping schedule. You don’t want your dog to ask for a treat directly after a meal or require a walk when you’re half asleep in bed. Establish those routines early, and you’ll have a much happier dog.

 

 

#5 – Establish Crate Training

Dogs naturally crave a safe space where they are protected from loud noises, other creatures, and unwanted attention. This is crucial to keeping them calm so they don’t feel overwhelmed by new experiences.

A crate is fundamental to this type of training. It gives the dog a home they can always use that tells everyone else they need a little quiet time by themselves. This is also a fantastic tool for potty training.

 

 

#6 – Set Up a Space Just for Them

Similar to the crate, you also want an open-air space just for the dog. This should be a welcome space with plenty of pet supplies that support a fun, engaging, and relaxing space for your doggo.

For example, find a corner near your family couch or an area near the fireplace (not too close, of course) where the dog can hang out while you relax. Throw some fun toys like the Petbobi Interactive Dog Toys Series and a bed that is not too big but fits and supports their bodies well.

 

 

#7 – Find a Local Vet

As you introduce your fresh family member from dog adoption to your daily life, you want to establish a relationship with a local veterinarian. Make sure they are fully qualified, have medical insurance, and have solid online reviews from other pet owners.

Even when your pet is 100% healthy, having someone you can rely on if things go sour or the dog decides that Korean BBQ bone from dinner is healthy, you have a pro to walk you through the situation.

 

 

#8 – Consider Pet Insurance

Many vets will offer pet insurance for a health plan. This is a small monthly payment, so you are better protected against expensive visits and can establish a routine checkup schedule, so they are always in optimal health.

 

 

#9 – Slowly Introduce Other Pets

If you do have a few other dogs, cats, chickens, or absent-minded in-laws living in your home, you’ll want to take time introducing them to your new dog. Different scenarios work for different animals, but in general, you want to:

• Keep the first few sessions short.
• Maintain calmness with yourself and your pets.
• Keep the dog on a leash.
• End the session if either pet appears aggressive.
• Reward the dog whenever they act appropriately.

You’ve probably seen those online videos of new puppies unwrapped by older dogs at Christmas. What you’re not seeing are the thousands of videos where that went wrong. Give your other pets time to feel comfortable with the situation so there aren’t any fights or long-term trauma.

 

 

#10 – Always Use Positive Reinforcement

Dogs respond to praise better than anything else. For some, this is physical attention, like a pet or hug. For others, it will be food and toys.

The goal is to link these rewards with good behavior. You want to reinforce a positive feeling and reward when your dog uses the potty the right way, interacts with a new person calmly, or simply stops barking at the passing cars when you tell them enough is enough.

 

 

Wrapping Up

National Puppy Day is coming up in March, and there are bound to be many exciting new doggos for you and your family to consider. While those big round eyes promise hours of fun and love, having your home and yourself well-prepared saves you a lot of stress. Do your best to set things up, and you’ll have a rewarding dog adoption experience.

No matter what, don’t forget the dog toys from Petbobi. These are fantastic tools for keeping your pet happy, healthy, and under constant enrichment. Have fun, and congratulations on your new four-legged family member!