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3 things to do before bringing home a new dog

4th July 2021 Print

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of adopting a dog. 

They call them man’s best friend for a reason, and whether you’re a first-time owner or experienced pup handler, you’ll have plenty to do before your new furry friend arrives. 

With so much to sort out, let’s waste no time and get right into it – here are three things to cross off your list before bringing home your new pet. 

1. Stock up on supplies 

This may seem obvious, but you should have a thorough list of everything you’ll need for your new dog in their first week. 

Food is the first essential, and it may be worth stocking up on a few varieties to find out what flavours your pet enjoys. And if they’re not yet toilet trained, puppy mats are a must for those early teaching stages. 

Meanwhile, a good supply of pet toys will keep them entertained and help them get comfortable in their new home, while a cosy pet bed to sleep in will give them a sense of safety and security – you can even make one of these yourself if you don’t feel like forking out the big bucks. 

2. Make a plan 

Having a dog is a major commitment, so it’s a good idea to work out how you’ll fit their needs into your daily routine before your canine companion joins you at home. For instance, what time of the day will you feed or walk your new pet? If you’re adopting with a partner, family or housemate, it’s also a good idea to assign responsibility for each of these tasks in advance. 

You should also aim to set boundaries early on. For instance, will you allow your dog into the bedroom or on the sofa? Different owners have different attitudes to this, but it’s a good idea to make these decisions before adopting so that strong boundaries can be established from the beginning – whilst dogs like to push their luck a little bit, they thrive on order, rules and routine, so it’s important for you and them that they know the rules. 

3. Register with vet 

Your new dog should have their first check-up as soon as possible after coming home. This is particularly important for puppies, but generally crucial for dogs of any ages when coming to their forever home. 

As well as vital vaccinations, it’s also a good opportunity to check everything is well with your pet and detect any potential health problems. For instance, allergies can be spotted early on if your vet sends samples for analysis to labs such as Avacta Animal Health. Picking up these issues early on will make them easier to treat in the future, ensuring you have a happy and healthy pet. 

This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are just three checklist tasks to sort before bringing home your new dog. 

Best of luck with your new best friend – we’re sure you’ll have a blast!