Are you planning on adopting a dog? Do you want to make sure that you are prepared for adopting a dog? Then, this post is just for you as it looks at the 12 things you need to do before adopting a dog. If you are a dog lover, it makes sense to make the compassionate decision of adopting a furry buddy. Chances are that you have spent time convincing your parents, roommates, or partner about adopting a dog. Now that you have decided to adopt a dog, you need to ensure that you and your home are prepared for the dog. Besides, you must be prepared for bringing the dog home after spending all that time at the shelter getting to learn more about it. If you’re also planning on getting a pet cat, visit Dogblog for tips on how to introduce a cat to your dog.
Even though your heart might be ready to bring a dog home and to shower it with love, you must consider whether you have the money, space, and time to add a permanent new family member. Taking care of a dog is a huge commitment and you should be prepared for what you are getting yourself it. The following things should be done before adopting a dog.
- Take Time with the Decision
As much as you want to bring a dog home, you must take time with the decision. There is no need to rush with the decision. Every decision that is taken after great consideration tends to be more effective than one that is made abruptly. With all those pictures of dogs over social media, you might be tempted to make the decision quickly. But, if you want to provide a good future to your furry buddy, you need to put a ton of thought into it. For instance, you need to consider where you live and if your family travels a lot, would there be someone who could watch over the dog when you are not home and do all the house members agree to you getting a new dog. These questions should be carefully thought before you make any serious decision.
- Make Sure That You Can Afford It
Another important thing that you need to do before adopting a dog is to determine whether you can afford one. Make sure that your wallet can afford a new family member. Keep in mind that dogs require a great deal of care that can translate to big bucks. When you take responsibility for a dog, you also have to be able to spend money on it. Some of the costs you should consider include emergency and regular vet visits, grooming, toys, treats, high-quality dog food, a collar, and bedding. Before you adopt a dog, you should account for the costs that are associated with owning a dog. Moreover, you should consider choosing a dog that meets your budget and personal needs. The cost of dog care can quickly add up. Hence, you need to be sure that you are financially prepared for adopting a dog.
- Be Prepared To Get Your Dog Neutered or Sprayed
Anywhere from 6 to 8 million animals are left at animal shelters in the United States each year. Many of them are put to sleep because there just are not enough homes for all of them. Think for a second how you would be killed if there was not enough room in the world for you. There is only one way for this to be stopped and that is by ensuring that no unwanted puppies are born. However, that is something completely impossible as puppies are born during the mating season and you simply cannot prevent dogs from breeding no matter how hard you try.
- Microchips and Dog Tags Are Compulsory
Since accidents happen all the time, you never known when and if your dog could end up running away and getting lost. If you run away or leave your home and are unable to return home, you can always find someone to call for help. However, that is not the case when it comes to dogs. This is why you must get a dog collar that has proper tags that mention your dog’s name and your phone number. The vet will be able to put the microchip on your dog. It is a simple procedure that you need to consider before adopting a dog. Microchips offer an effective way to locate your dog and ensure that it can return home. The tags should be updated if you move and you should provide the updated address to the microchip company. Contact your local vet for more information.
- Consider Dental Care for Your Dog
Dogs need to get their teeth brushed just like any other human. Dental health is crucial for overall health. This is why you should get all the relevant products for brushing your furry buddy’s teeth multiple times every week. The toothbrush should be slowly and gradually introduced to your dog. Moreover, there needs to be a ton of positive reinforcement to get your dog on board. Develop a fun routine for your dog such as by rewarding it after each brushing. Dental care is something that you cannot afford to overlook. You can learn more about the dental products that will be needed by asking your local vet for more information on dental care for dogs. It will help prepare you for taking care of a dog.
- Take Care of Your Dog’s Nails & Fur
Besides taking care of your dog’s teeth, you also need to care about its nails. Do not let your dog’s nails get so long that they end up interfering with its normal walking routine. When a dog’s nails grow very long, it could impact its nervous system and gait. This is why you need to prepare a routine to keep your dog’s nails trimmed regularly. It will help ensure that they do not get too long, break, or get snagged onto something. Keep in mind that some dogs hate having their paws handled. Hence, it might be a good idea to get details about the nearest groomer or vet so that you can take your dog there once a month and have its nails handled.
Moreover, you will also need to take care of your dog’s fur. Get a nice dog brush to help ensure that your dog does not have to deal with nasty matting. Brushing your dog’s fur is good for its health as it increases circulation to its skin. Brushing your dog’s fur is also a great bonding activity. However, you should keep in mind that some dogs require professional grooming. Therefore, you should find out which groomers cater to your dog’s breed. These days, it is easy to browse the internet to learn more about different groomers near you. To prevent your dog from smelling bad and being dirty, you will also need to wash it from time to time. Get a dog hair shampoo for its fur. It will keep your dog smelling nice. But, you should not go overboard with using the shampoo as it contains chemicals that could easily remove important natural oils and leave your dog’s skin dry.
- Stock Up on High-Quality Dog Food
The next thing that you need to do before you adopt a dog is stock up on high-quality dog food. Shop from a reliable platform such as petstorezero.com to ensure that your dog gets the nutrients it deserves. Keep an eye on the food that your dog eats. Only buy healthy, high-quality food. Since some foods that humans eat can be poisonous to dogs, you should only feed your dog with dog food.
Besides just stocking up on high-quality dog food, you should read up on foods that are harmful to dogs such as chocolates, onions, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, and the list goes on. Learn more about the type of food that dogs can eat. Only feed high-quality food and treats to your dog. Avoid over-feeding your dog as obesity is a serious issue that causes major health problems. It also makes dogs feel uncomfortable. Offer regular meals to your dog during set times. It will allow your dog to be healthier.
- Get Dog Toys
One thing that you should not forget is that dogs need entertainment and fun just as much as we do. This is why you should get dog toys before you adopt a dog. Prepare your house for your dog’s arrival by getting dog toys and entertainment items. But, you should hide all dangerous items like sharp objects, electrical wiring, and chemicals. Make your house a safe space for your new dog to thrive. Put away anything dangerous that could be perceived by your dog as a toy. Furthermore, if you do not want your favorite pillow or homework chewed up by your dog, you should make sure that they are not within your dog’s reach. Do get dog-friendly chew toys. Only when you have prepared your home for your dog’s arrival should you bring your newly adopted dog home.
- Learn More about Exercises for Dogs
If you want your dog to live a happy and healthy life, you need to learn more about exercise for dogs on the web. Many websites engage in affiliate options in dog niche and offer free guides that will surely help you. It is good for your dog to run around and walk as much as possible. However, there is a lot more exercise that dogs need to stay healthy. You cannot just let your new dog sit beside you next to the sofa. You need to make an effort to get games for it that incorporates a healthy lifestyle. Dogs have to go on long walks at least once a day. Games such as fetch allow your dog to release that wild doggie energy which is crucial for its health. Do get your dog to get as much fresh air as possible. A tired dog also tends to be the best-behaved dog.
- Learn About Training Your Dog
Before you adopt a dog, you should learn more about training it. This is something that you cannot overlook. When you decide to bring a dog home, you need to be prepared to train it. Set clear boundaries and rules for your dog. Guide your dog by offering positive rewards. It will help repeat and enforce good behavior. Dogs want to be praised just as much as human babies do. However, you should not scold or yell at your dog as it would make them afraid of you. If you want your dog to behave, you need to learn more about training your dog to teach it how to behave.
- Prevent Fleas and Worms
The garden can be a breeding ground for fleas and worms. If you are planning on adopting a dog, you need to make sure that your dog does not catch fleas or worms. Buy products that keep fleas and worms at back. Make sure to get your dog checked by your vet from time to time to prevent fleas and worms from taking hold of your dog. Heartworms are also a serious issue that you need to watch out for as heartworm disease kills dogs every year. The good news is that heartworm prevention is very simple since all you need to do is get a monthly medication for your dog from the nearest vet.
- Be Prepared To Give Plenty of Love to Your Dog
Finally, when you plan on adopting a dog, you should be prepared to give it plenty of love. Dogs are social creatures just like humans and they need all the affection they can get. Since dogs have a shorter life, you must give your dog all the love it craves every day.
Conclusion
From taking time with your decision to being prepared to give your dog all the love it deserves, this post will help prepare you to adopt a dog. Make sure to follow everything mentioned in this post to ensure that your new dog has a great time in its new home.