If you are having a dog join your family for the very first time, there are a lot of things that you’ll need to know and expect before you choose your breed. Some people go with whatever breed of dog happens to be available, while others seek out a specific breed or look around at different breeders until they find their perfect match. Regardless of what type of dog you choose, preparing your home and lifestyle for their arrival is crucial to giving them a happy and fulfilling life. Fortunately, knowing what to expect with your first dog isn’t too difficult to find out and will prepare you for everything that lies ahead.
Going to the Vet
When you first bring your dog home, you’ll likely need to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian to have their shots done. This can actually require a few visits because there are several different things your dog will need to be given shots for. As time goes on, the number of visits to the vet will decrease as the puppy turns into a full-grown dog, but you’ll still need to bring your dog in for regular checkups and maintenance at certain times. Your dog’s health is not too different from your own except they visit a veterinarian instead of a doctor.
Choosing Their Food
Choosing your dog’s food is very important to the way they look and feel throughout their life. A good diet will produce a healthy and shiny coat of fur which is a clear indicator that their diet is properly balanced. Conversely, a poor diet will have the opposite effect and dogs can even develop skin allergies if their food contains too many types of filler. Just make sure you are buying a quality dog food that has real meat as the first ingredient rather than corn to ensure it is good for your dog. Also, there are several things like onions, black olives, and chocolate that can actually harm your dog, so make sure you educate yourself on what to avoid.
A Dog’s Behavior
A dog’s behavior is completely contingent on two things; proper training and consistency. Most owners opt to bring their dog to a training class so they learn all the proper and basic skills and techniques to behave properly. However, it is ultimately up to you as pet owners to follow through with that training and maintain consistency. Additionally, there are a few things that are virtually impossible to control such as a dog’s reaction to loud noises like fireworks or thunder. Even the flash from lightening or bright light from burning sparklers can cause your dog to get scared and bark. Just try to be patient, use commands, and never get angry with your dog because it simply doesn’t work.
Going Out of Town
One of the most difficult things you’ll have to do as a pet parent is leaving your dog at home while you go out of town. There are plenty of paid kennels that will take care of your dog for you, but they will be locked up in a small kennel most of the day instead of enjoying the comforts of home. In my experience, having a friend or family member stop by a few times a day to feed your dog and let them outside is the better choice. It can take some careful planning, but making arrangements for your dog to stay at home it usually the best choice.
