Bringing home a new dog is exciting, but it does bring some inherent stressors with it as your dog figures out his or her new home. It’s not uncommon for people to walk through the door and immediately realize they weren’t quite as prepared as they’d anticipated. To help reduce the stress of bringing a dog home, make sure you have the following items on hand so you can focus on enjoying the moment.
Training Materials
Dog training takes many forms, and training will vary on the expectations you have for your dog. For example, most dogs will be trained some simple commands such as coming when called or sitting, but not all dogs are expected to retrieve hunted birds. Some people don’t mind if their dogs bark, while others will need anti-bark collars to help their dogs learn expected behavior.
Make sure you’re prepared with at least some training reference books and simple treats as rewards. Many people find success with clicker training in particular.
Feeding Supplies
Dog bowls are an easy item to remember for new dog owners, but food can be trickier. Make sure you get the appropriate food for your dog’s size and breed, and keep in mind that puppies will eat different food than adult dogs. You can always ask your local veterinarian if you’re unsure what to feed your dog.
Dog food typically comes in fairly large bags, so you’ll need a place to store the food — preferably something secure so mice can’t get to it.
Collar and Name Tag
Even if your dog typically sticks around the house and the house itself is secure, every dog is bound to find itself a little lost at one point or another. To help keep your dog safe, give them a collar and name tag as soon as possible. The identification tag will have the dog’s name, your name, and your phone number so anybody who might find your lost friend can contact you to get them home.
Collars aren’t one-size-fits-all, so don’t forget to measure for the right size. If you’re bringing a puppy home, you may need to get a bigger collar as the dog grows.
As part of the dog-owning community, commit to helping return any lost dogs you might see, because you’d want others to do the same for you.
Dog Leash
Not only do dogs love walks, but they need the exercise. Many dogs face unnecessary weight and joint complications because they end up overweight due to poor diet and exercise. Caring for a dog’s physical health is an important part of dog ownership. As a bonus, the human walking the dog also gets some fresh air and exercise, so it’s a win-win.
You’ll likely find you’ll need more supplies, such as a shedding brush, but this list covers your essentials to make the transition into your home smooth. If you’ve got all these handled ahead of time, you can focus on playing with your dog and getting to know each other, setting you up for a wonderful relationship together.
