Introducing a new dog to your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s also important to make sure that you’re prepared for the challenge. In this article, we provide some tips for introducing a new dog to your home, as well as how to ensure a smooth transition for all members of the family. So whether you’re a first-time dog owner or just looking for ways to welcome a new furry friend into your life, read on for some helpful advice.
When should you take your new dog to get shots? And which shots are needed?
Scheduling a veterinary appointment within a couple of weeks of adopting a dog, regardless of the dog’s age, is always strongly recommended.
During this first visit, your veterinarian reviews your new pet’s records and determines the best vaccine regimen for their unique needs and lifestyle. It’s important for all dogs to get the rabies vaccine (also required by law), and the distemper vaccine, which usually includes vaccination against canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, other vaccines may be recommended. These could include canine influenza, bordetella, and vaccinations to protect against lyme disease, leptospirosis infections. And there’s even a rattlesnake vaccine!
The gradual transition from your pet’s previous food to the new food you choose is important to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. This transition should be made slowly over about 7-10 days.
It’s best to avoid “grain-free” diets as these diets have a possible link to early heart disease in dogs. Also avoid raw meat diets. Raw diets pose a significant risk to dogs and pet parents alike.
Make sure the food you choose is “AAFCO” standardized. This means that the food has been certified to meet all your dog’s nutrient requirements without any necessary supplementation. Talk to your vet if your pet has gastrointestinal symptoms following adoption such as diarrhea, vomiting, or inappetence. Your veterinarian can help differentiate between a true food-related issue versus a parasitic infestation or another systemic disease.
For both your new pet’s comfort and your rest (not to mention, your sanity!), start with an intentional sleep training plan beginning the very first night.
Crate training can be very helpful in the early stages, especially with a puppy. It helps them both sleep through the night and not beg to get into the bed with you. Additionally crate training helps to potty train your pup more effectively through the night hours.
If your new puppy whines at night, he or she may truly need a trip out the bathroom. But resist falling for it all night long. Responding to every peep from your new pet will only train them to keep interrupting your sleep. Try to avoid calming chews and other supplements unless absolutely necessary and recommended by your veterinarian.
House training a new dog is an important part of pet ownership. The process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the age, breed and personality of your dog. However, the key is to start early. Puppies need to go after eating and after waking up. So take them out to an appropriate spot, either on a puppy pad or in the yard. Take them out immediately after waking up, and about 15 minutes after they finish eating. Your dog should pick up the routine relatively quickly. Be on the lookout for urinary tract infections or digestive issues – either of these conditions could cause setbacks.
Play is important for your dog for many reasons. Engaging your dog with dog toys and games will help them burn off energy, stay mentally stimulated, and bond with you.
There’s an abundance of dog toys on the market, so it’s important to choose those that are appropriate for your dog’s size, age, and energy level. Choose toys that are non-toxic, well-made and that do not present a choking hazard.
Smaller dogs may enjoy plush toys or chew toys. While larger dogs may prefer more interactive toys such as ball launchers or tug toys. You can also use dog toys to teach your dog obedience commands or tricks. And of course, playing with your dog is also a great way to build a bond between the two of you. So set aside some time each day to play with your new furry friend.
First, it’s important to note that different dogs prefer different activities. And therefore, not all dogs like to play fetch. However, if you are interested in playing fetch with your dog, do the following:
Your dog may not get it right away, so be patient. Some dogs are more interested in chasing and will gladly bring the object back so you can throw it again. Other dogs are into the capture only. Once you toss it, they will go after it. But once they catch it, the game is over for them, and you’ll be the one fetching!
Before heading to the dog park with your new furry friend, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to ensure a safe and fun time for both of you.
New dog owners wonder if there are certain procedures for taking the dog into the dog park or if they should just walk in and see what happens. Let’s dive deeper.
If you’re unsure how your dog will respond while at a dog park, stand outside the unleashed area and see how your dog reacts. Do this for up to five minutes to get them acclimated to what’s going on.
When you enter the unleashed area, keep the leash on your dog. Other dogs will want to greet your pup, but keeping a leash on your dog can be helpful if you need to pull your dog away quickly should an unwanted situation happen.
After your dog is comfortable with what’s going on and they seem eager to play, let them off-leash, but always watch your dog while they’re playing. Accidents happen. Be aware – you’ll need to know what’s going on to be able to help your pooch if need be. By following these simple tips, you and your dog can enjoy a fun and safe visit to the dog park.
Bringing a new dog into your home can be an exciting and challenging experience. You’ll need to think about a lot of things: their health, how to feed them, where they will sleep and how to create a bond through exercise and play. If you have any questions about caring for your new pup, don’t hesitate to contact us at Airvet – we’re always here to help!
