Deciding to get a dog is a big step in one’s life. When you agree to get a dog, you agree to take care of a pet and keep them safe and healthy. Dogs bring so much joy into your life, but you need to properly prepare for their arrival. Your home will be their home, so you need to take steps to create an environment they can safely be part of.
It seems like there’s so much to do when preparing your home. Where do you even start? What should you do before you bring your dog home, and what are the key things to understand when you first bring them through the door? Here are some of the top tips for preparing your home for a dog, and how they’ll help you create the best environment for you and your pet.
Your Dog May Behave Differently At First
When preparing your home for a dog, one of the first things to keep in mind is that their behavior may not be what you expect at first. Getting a new home is a big change for a puppy, and it can be an even bigger adjustment if you adopt a rescue dog. You may expect them to be excited and well-adjusted right from the beginning, but they may not be the case. They may feel anxious and unsure of what’s going on.
Give your new dog time to adjust to their new surroundings. Familiarize them with your home, where they can play, their new toys, and members of your family. As time goes on, they’ll adjust to their new home with their new owner. Do everything you can at first to make your home feel safe for them, but realize it may take some time to adjust.
Your Dog’s Breed May Impact Their Behavior
Different dog breeds carry different personality and behavior traits. You need to keep this in mind when preparing your home for a dog. You may adopt a dog that’s a protective breed, such as a German Sheppard or a Boxer. This means they may be more dominant but trainable. However, they may have separation anxiety, which can impact you and your home. If you have a dog that’s within the herding breed, such as a Corgie or a Border Collie, they may have a lot of energy and are protective, but they can also be destructive if they’re feeling too anxious.
Understanding your dog’s breed will help you better understand their behavior. You may be frustrated that they dug up part of your yard, but if digging is part of their behavior if they’re feeling anxious, then you know why they’re doing it. You can call a commercial lawn care service to clean up the yard and take steps to help manage this behavior. The more you understand your dog, the better the adjustment will be.
It Costs Money To Raise A Dog
When thinking about preparing your home for a dog, you should know that raising a dog could get expensive. You’ll need to get food and water bowls for them, a doggy bed, a leash, a harness, etc. Plus, you’ll need to take them to the vet to get checkups. You may also have to take them to an animal hospital if an emergency comes up, and that can be an expensive bill to front. You also have to average in the costs of food, treats, toys, and doggy gates (if you need them).
There are some people who don’t plan for these expenses when getting a dog, and once it comes time to pay, they may be short on cash or stressed about money. One of the best ways to be prepared to bring a dog into your home is to set aside a monthly budget for pet-related expenses. This way, you’re planning ahead for all the things your dog may need and making sure they’re the happiest they can be.
There Will Be An Accident (Or Two)
You could be preparing your home for a dog for months, planning everything out, and trying to create the perfect space for your new pet. However, you have to know that accidents will likely happen when you bring a new dog into your home. Your new dog may not be fully housebroken yet, or they may run around a lot and knock something over. They could also have separation anxiety at first and chew up some of your belongings.
These are perfectly normal accidents for dogs to have when they’re in a new home. That’s why you should be prepared to handle these accidents appropriately. Stock up on cleaning supplies and keep things that risk being chewed up out of your dog’s reach. If you have valuable decor you want to keep for a long time, store it away for a few months until your dog feels better in your home. When these accidents do happen, don’t let anger and frustration take over. Step back, take a deep breath, and think about how you can handle it correctly. Training your new dog may take some time, but they’ll get the hang of it before you know it.
Get Ready To Put Up A Fence
One of the biggest things to do when preparing your home for a dog is to put up a fence in your yard. Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy, and a fenced-in yard is the perfect space for them to run around in. Plus, you can let them outside and know they’re in the safety of your own yard. It’s pretty easy to research what it takes to get an affordable custom fence set up in your yard. First, you’ll have to decide what kind of fence you want. You could get a wooden fence, a metal fence, or even an invisible fence for your dog. Once you decide what kind of fence you want, you can look into stalling it. If you can do it yourself, go ahead and install it. However, if you’ve never had to install a fence before, you may be better off calling fencing contractors and having them take care of it.
While you’re putting up your new fence, you can also take the time to evaluate your yard and see if it needs improvements for your pet. Are there holes you need to fill in? Any weeds you don’t want your dog rolling in? Perhaps you want to call a tree removal service and get a few trees removed to make room for a dog house. Since you’re already putting up a fence, you might as well look at other yard improvement projects.
Home Hazards Need To Be Taken Care Of ASAP
When preparing your home for a dog, you must make sure your home is hazard-free. Your dog may want to explore their new space, and if you have hazardous things lying around, your dog could get hurt. For starters, make sure your cleaning materials are in a secure place where your dog can’t reach them. Disinfectant spray, window cleaner, and dusting spray contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous for your dog to ingest. Make sure they’re out of reach so your dog doesn’t get into them by mistake.
You should also try to wrap up any home improvement projects you have going on before your dog comes home. You may be working with a custom garage floor contractor to get your garage fixed up, or maybe you’re working with contractors to expand your kitchen. If these projects are still being worked on, there could be tools and materials lying around. If your new dog wanders around the house, they could accidentally eat hazardous materials or injure themselves. For your dog’s safety, try to finish home projects before you bring them home.
The same concept should be applied to yard work as well. If you have stumps that need to be removed or trees you want gone, contact a lot clearing company to help you get rid of them. This way, both your yard and your home are the safest they can be for your dog.
You’ll Need To Keep Safety In Mind
You’ll need to keep all safety aspects in mind when you’re preparing to bring a dog into your home. Are there any loose wires in your home? Is there any risk your dog could get into anything they shouldn’t be getting into? If so, take measures to get these things fixed as soon as possible. If your air conditioning system is busted, try to get in contact with an AC repair service so your home’s temperature is optimal for your pet. If your windows blinds are cracked and falling apart, see if you can get new custom window coverings. If your blinds are damaged, your dog could accidentally ingest pieces of the blinds and get sick. If you think something in your home could be a safety issue, get it fixed.
You’ll also need to keep other people’s safety in mind when you have a pet in your home. If you have guests over and your dog isn’t comfortable with people yet, you’ll need to take measures to ensure everyone is safe. In case something does happen, you can research a dog bite lawyer to have on reserve. Use your best judgment when inviting people into your home while your dog is still adjusting.
Make Time To Bond With Your Dog
A key aspect of preparing your home for a dog is to make time to bond with them. Your new dog may be feeling confused and anxious about their new home and their new family. However, the more time you spend with them, the more they’ll trust you and bond with you. Plan out some activities to do with your new dog, such as going for walks and playing in the backyard. You can even do activities with them around the house to get them familiar with their new living situation. The more they feel at home, the better.
It Could Take Time To Develop A Routine
You may have a routine already mapped out for your dog. Most dogs need to go on walks at least once per day, so maybe you have two planned per day to give your dog some extra exercise and attention. Or, maybe you already decided when you’d feed them throughout the day. These tasks are nice to plan, however, your dog may not want to have that schedule just yet. It may take them a little while to adjust to your home and feel comfortable enough to get into a routine.
If you want to get your new dog into a set routine, start out small. Do one task at a time, and once they consistently do that part of the routine, add another. You can take them on a walk in the morning for two weeks so they can get to know the route. Once they seem comfortable, you can add in a walk at night. This way, you’re giving your new dog the chance to adapt and get comfortable with getting into a routine.
You’ll Have A Friend For Life
One of the best parts of preparing your home for a dog is knowing you’re preparing for a lifelong friend. Dogs are incredibly loyal and like to be part of a family. When you bring a dog into your family, you’ll gain a lifelong companion who will help you make a lot of happy memories. Keeping this in mind will help you get excited about making these preparations for your home.
Preparing your home for a dog can seem overwhelming at times. There may seem to be so much to do, and not enough time to do it all. Remember to take a breath and take things one step at a time. Your new dog is going to come home to a home that’s safe, inviting, and loving. It may take a little time for everyone to get adjusted, but it will be well worth it to have a loving pet in your home.
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