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Whether you have adopted a dog or purchased a puppy from a breeder, bringing your new canine companion home for the first time is a big step for both of you. Taking your time to acclimate your dog is important. They will be in a new place, surrounded by new people and smells, which can be fun, but also a bit scary too. Research is key to making your dog feel comfortable and settled. To help you and your new pup on your way, here are some tips on how to introduce a dog into your household.
Prepare Your Home
Preparing your home for your new pup includes educating the family and physically dog-proofing your house. You should keep hazardous and valuable items away from your dogs’ space and set up a space for your furry friend. You will need to gather supplies too. Getting your home ready can be a busy and stressful time, so you should check out an online pet shop like Time for Paws for all of your pet food and pet supplies. Here, you can browse a wide range of high-quality pet items for a great price.
Let Them Settle
Once your home is fully prepared and you have bought everything you need on your pet checklist, the next step is to bring your pooch home. When you pick up your dog, you must take them straight home. This is to minimise stress. You should discourage visitors to your home for the first few days, so your new pup can settle in without feeling overwhelmed. You should introduce your family and resident pets to the dog outside and keep it calm and low-key. Also, give them ample ‘quiet time’ to acclimate.
Establish Daily Routines
As soon as your dog enters your home, you will need to establish routines and begin training. You should make your dog aware of their space, for example, the room where they can find their crate, food, toys, etc. Using positive reinforcement to encourage them to use this space is highly advised. Dogs crave routine, so you will need to put a schedule in place too, such as feeding, walking, playtime, and alone time. Getting your family involved in taking care of the dog is important and will build trust.
Build a Relationship
Building a relationship with your new dog will require plenty of patience and training, but the results will be extremely rewarding. The behaviour of your dog and level of training may not be perfect right away, but with time and dedication, alongside expert advice, you will start to see great results. Training isn’t easy, especially if you have never owned a dog before. Whether you are bringing home an adult dog or a puppy, enrolling in obedience training classes at a verified dog school is highly recommended.
Introducing a new dog into your household is a fun and exciting time that will remain in your memories forever, so you should try your hardest to make the transition as easy and stress-free as possible.