When you choose to make your family a little bit bigger by adopting a dog, you are taking on a great deal of personal responsibility. Your new pet will look to you for guidance on how to behave in their new home as well as for a sense of security in their new surroundings.
The first few weeks with a dog can be quite the challenge. This is especially true for dogs that have experienced some sort of trauma or hardship in their life. Because of this, it is a good idea to learn as much as possible about your new dog’s background.
That being said, some dogs adapt to a new home with ease and without much effort. Even so, however, you will want to take specific steps towards ensuring that your home is as ready for your new pet as possible.
With that in mind, if you are about to bring your new dog home for the first time, here are a few of the simpler ways in which you can make your dog feel at home sooner rather than later.
Talk to Your vet
The first conversation that you should have about your new dog is with your veterinarian. They will be able to get you going in the right direction when it comes to making your home comfortable for your dog. They will also offer you advice about how to ensure that your dog is well looked after from a medical perspective.
You should look to schedule an appointment for your dog fairly soon after bringing them home. This is because your vet will need to perform a physical evaluation and make sure that they are current and up to date with all necessary vaccinations and immunizations.
Have a chat with your local Easy Vet veterinarian to see when they might be free to see your dog for their initial appointment.
Give Them Their Own Place
The next thing that you can do in order to make sure that your new dog settles in quickly is set up a place in your home that is all their own. They will undoubtedly be curious about their new surroundings, but giving them their own space can make the entire process much easier.
Find a comfortable dog bed for your new pup and set it up in a part of your home where you would like them to sleep. If you are going to be crate training your dog, this is something that you should get ahead of time as well.
Be Patient
The most important thing that you can do when introducing a new dog into your home is practice a bit of patience. Don’t try to force your new dog to spend time with you and the family if they are not ready. Rather, give them the space that they need to adjust in their own time. Establishing a schedule and being calm and patient will help the process greatly and help your dog to settle in sooner.
Follow these simple steps to make your dog feel right at home.
