Invest in potty pads or extra newspapers as well. Even if your dog is fully housebroken, they may be prone to accidents at first as they adjust to living with you. Even with a well-trained dog, accidents are inevitable. You should make sure that you have a stain remover and paper towels to deal with those occasions.
Avoid keeping your dog’s water and food bowls in the kitchen. This area is one of the most high-traffic spots in most homes. All the hustle and bustle in and out of the kitchen could stress out your dog while it eats and cause issues with their digestion. You may want to place their bowls in the dining room or in a special little nook in the living or family room. [1] X Research source Most dogs make a mess when they eat. Make sure wherever you place their food bowls isn’t too hard for you to clean up, and place a mat or towel under the dishes to help keep spills manageable. [2] X Research source
Try to buy your dog food in bulk; this will save money and take care of all of your dog’s meals for the month. You can keep the bag of dog food in your pantry for easy access at mealtimes. If your dog is elderly or special needs, ask if they require a specific food to eat.
Start with a few different kinds of toys. These will help you get an idea of what your dog likes so that you can buy more in the future.
Make sure you buy a bed or pad for the bottom of the crate. This will help keep your dog comfortable and prevent them from getting sores. Place the dog’s crate in your (or another family member’s) bedroom. Dogs can get anxious when inside their crate. Knowing you’re nearby will make it easier for them to be in their crate. You can gradually move it elsewhere after the first two weeks, once your dog is more used to you. [7] X Research source
If you don’t have or want to use any areas in your home with hard flooring, lay down newspaper or potty pads on your carpeting to contain any messes.
Look over your bedroom to check where you keep your shoes, dirty laundry, and hair care accessories, such as combs and bands. Your dog may be tempted to chew on these, so they will need to be placed out of sight and reach. Your shoes and laundry can be tucked into your closets. Hair care tools are best placed on your dresser, if your dog cannot reach the top, or on a high shelf. [10] X Research source If your living or family rooms have fireplaces installed, make sure access to the fireplace is blocked off by a grate or screen. Look out for small objects your dogs could be tempted to chew, such as toys, and put them away. [11] X Research source Check your kitchen inventory for foods that are poisonous to dogs. This includes coffee, chocolate, garlic, and avocados, to name a few. Place these items far out of your dog’s reach, like on a high shelf or in your pantry. [12] X Research source
If you can’t hide certain wires, use cord covers and protectors. These will keep your dog from chewing on cords that you just can’t hide.
You may want to walk the dog and let it use the bathroom first thing in the morning. Feed it immediately after you return home. Take the dog back out to use the bathroom after it finishes eating. Whoever wakes up earliest in the morning can take care of these responsibilities, if they are old enough. [18] X Research source The rest of the afternoon can be filled with your other daily responsibilities. Give your dog breaks every few hours to go for walks and use the bathroom. [19] X Research source The evening is a great time to play with the dog and feed it supper. Offer these tasks to your kids. They’ll likely be at school during the day, so evening responsibilities can help them bond with the dog. [20] X Research source Take the dog out for one last bathroom break just before the house settles down for bed. [21] X Research source
If you choose to keep your dog outside for any extended period, make sure it has access to food and fresh water, along with a shelter to protect them from the elements.
If no one in your household can stay home with the dog, look around for pet care services, like daycares and walking services. [23] X Research source
On top of being a good way to teach your dog proper behaviors, obedience classes help you build a relationship with your dog. This is why they are recommended any time you bring a new dog into your house. Make sure everyone in your home spends time at obedience training with your dog. This way your dog learns to listen to and bond with everyone in your house.
If you know anyone else with a dog, ask them for vet recommendations. Word of mouth is a great way to find new, highly-recommended pet health professionals.
If your dog has already been chipped by the adoption center, be sure to request that they modify the chip to feature your information. [27] X Research source
If you need to switch your dog to a new food, do so gradually. Start by adding 1/4 cup of their new food to a bowl of their old food. Increase the amount of the new food and decrease the amount of the old food a little every day until your dog has fully transitioned.
