First Time Dog Parent? Here’s the Ultimate Guide.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself” –Josh Billings
Dogs can be a lot of work. A puppy too. They need to be walked, fed, and groomed in traditional ways and when they need medical attention or behavioral training. If you’re a first time dog parent and you’re overwhelmed or just feeling a little lost, there are some things you need to know. This eleven part guide ensures you’ve taken all the important steps when owning a new dog and prepared for their care and life’s unexpected events.
1. Spend time researching the breed
Its breeds come with certain physical or behavioral traits that are not always apparent when meeting someone. Knowing your new pet’s breed, size, personality, and activity level can help you understand what’s normal for their age and whether or not they are prone to certain health issues later in life. Sporting-dogs tend to be more active than others but can have issues with joint pain if they over-exert themselves constantly.
2. Do your research
If you’re planning to bring home a pet from a shelter, ask the shelter’s adoption counselor for advice on building a healthy relationship with your new pet. Sign up for the pet’s newsletter and visit the kennel regularly.
If you’re adopting the first dog from an animal control officer or rescue group, keep in touch with them throughout the process. Consider their advice, and ask them any questions you may have about your new pet’s behavior or past.
3. Understand their needs
These animals need a lot of attention, but you don’t have to dedicate your entire life to them. Becoming a first time dog parent means that you’ll be able to appreciate their feelings, and they’ll learn to trust and love you unconditionally. However, there are biological needs you’ll need to fulfill for them to grow and develop properly. Pets need regular meals that provide all the necessary nutrients to remain healthy. Feeding them regularly at proper intervals is often more important than what they’re eating. Evidence suggests that pets will eat less when they know the food will be available regularly.
Provide it with playtime and exercise. They will need a place to run free, chew on toys, and play chase games. Some pets enjoy interacting with other pets and playing games, while others prefer to be alone. You should understand what kind of pet you have before engaging in sports or other activities with them. Understand their behavior and body language to communicate with your pet properly.
4. Make regular veterinary appointments
Pets can develop medical issues that require a visit to the veterinarian. Make regular visits to get updated medical records on your pet, which will help you understand what’s normal for their age and breed. Make sure to fill out any necessary forms such as adoption paperwork and personal health records before meeting with your vet. Even small changes in behavior or weight are important to document.
Keep an eye on your pet’s temperature, especially if they are not feeling well or it’s cold outside. An abrasive massage at the base of the tail could signify fleas and ticks that could spread disease through bites.
5. Make friends with other dog owners
There’s a great sense of community among the owners and shelters. Many communities will have social events, adoption fairs, and other events that allow you to meet other pet owners in your area. Social interaction with other pet owners will help you learn to deal with all kinds of pet behavior and keep you alert to any disease outbreaks. Many communities have a website, newspaper, or other community meeting place where pet owners can get together and exchange information.
6. Know the dangers
Pets are wonderful animals that provide friendship and companionship to many people, but they can pose various dangers. Some dangers include traffic accidents, biting children, or attacks on other pets. Being a first time dog parent, knowing the signs of problems can help you understand how vigilant you need to be around your new pet. These problems may include toileting or housebreaking issues that require some active intervention by their owner. Please don’t leave them unattended while learning, as this will only result in accidents.
If you have children, keep your pets away from them until properly trained. Tragic events can happen when dogs are not properly trained or supervised.
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.” – Mark Twain
8. Get them socialized with people and other dogs
Pets that are properly socialized with people and other pets will become better pets and enjoy a happier life. Early socialization allows pets to learn how to get along with people, other pets, new places, and various stimuli they could never experience in a sheltered environment. It would help if you took your pet out regularly to help them associate positive experiences with the great outdoors. Their first time going for a walk should be done using positive reinforcement techniques by rewarding them for going potty properly and behaving appropriately around people or other animals.
9. Don’t ever let them fight
Lifestyle choices such as leaving a chew toy on the floor that can get chewed up or giving your dog access to roaming areas full of children can sometimes result in dog fights. When dogs fight, they don’t just damage each other, but they also develop fear and aggression toward each other. If you’re not aware of this possibility, it can be too late when these problems develop. The best way to avoid fights is to clarify that you will never allow your pet to fight with another pet. You can also train your pet to avoid situations where fighting could occur, such as by teaching them how to walk on a leash or using a crate during the day.
10. Create a safe, comfortable area for them to sleep
If you have young children or unsupervised people, it’s important to create a safe and comfortable area for your pet to sleep in. It would be best never to allow them to sleep in the same room with small children, as this could lead to injury or even death. It can also be dangerous for other pets who live in the home. While there may not be enough floor space for one pet, you should ensure enough room for two pets. If you have a crate available and choose to use it as their sleeping space, ensure they have access to toys and stimulation during their down time so they won’t develop separation anxiety while sleeping.
“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.” – Robert Wagner
11. Establish a set routine
Dogs need to know what to expect from you and what you expect of them. To get the most out of your furry friend, you need to establish a consistent routine they can fall back on when they are left alone. To prevent boredom or anxiousness, try to spread out their daily activities. For example, eating can be done first in the morning or right before bedtime. If they are fed multiple times a day, choose two or three times when you will start the feeding process so it’s not overwhelming for your pet. You can also start a routine that encourages good behavior, such as brushing and ear cleaning.
Remember, responsibility is a key factor that goes into pet ownership. Having a pet is a joy, but it comes with great responsibility and should be approached to understand that you will help them grow into a well-adjusted pet that provides you with many years of companionship. As long as you’re dedicated to putting in the time and effort required for raising your new friend, there’s no doubt in our minds that you will succeed. First time dog parent or not, it’s important to understand that your lifestyle should reflect your pet’s well-being.