What To Expect When You Adopt A Dog - Insight on Preparing For The Big Day

The initial time it takes to help your pet adjust to his new surroundings can last for a while.

Be prepared to devote a lot of time to your new pet in the first few weeks that he is in your home.

Some dogs can take up to a year or more before they feel fully comfortable, depending on what their background is and where they come from before moving in with you.

It’s important for you to know that this is a strong possibility and to decide if you are willing to do what it takes to help your dog get acclimated and comfortable with his new surroundings.

You’ll have to add a line in your budget for pet care, which can get pretty expensive depending on the dog.

You’ll have vet bills, of course, and then there are all of the items you will need to buy for your pup:

• dog food
• treats
• heartworm\flea prevention
• grooming supplies
• toys
• leash and collar
• poop bags
• a dog bed
• a crate
• and any other items that your pup might need.

If your dog has high-maintenance grooming needs, you may need to consider adding in the cost of professional grooming services.

Your schedule is going to have to change, at least at first.

This is especially true if your new friend is not yet potty-trained.

You may discover that sleeping through the night is not an option during the first week, as your pal wakes you up at 3 am to go outside.

If you adopt a puppy, then you'll need to spend a lot of time at home with him in the beginning, so honestly, consider if your schedule allows for that.

If not, can you hire someone or ask a friend to come to your house during the day and play with your pup or let him outside while you're at work?

Your dog’s schedule will be different from yours, so it will take some time for him to get into the groove of how a day in your life works.

Traveling and vacations will not be the same.

Maybe you don’t really travel that much, so this might not be a big deal for you.

But if you are used to just picking up and going on a new adventure, whether for a week’s vacation or just a weekend getaway, it’s not going to be as easy with a pet.

Depending on your financial situation, you could just board your dog whenever you are ready to go out of town.

But if you leave very often, this might not be very fun for your canine companion.

However, boarding can get expensive, so other options could be a friend or family member that is willing to dog sit or finding hotel accommodations that allow dogs (usually for an added fee).

No matter which way you slice it, adding a pet into the mix will make traveling a bit more expensive, and it gives you another thing to think about when you are planning your trip.

A new dog could affect who comes to your house.

This might not be a deal-breaker for you, but if you have a close friend or family member that visits often and has a bad dog allergy, then that person may no longer be able to come over to your house.

 First things first, make a list of everything you want to prep before you get your pup.

Also, make a list of any supplies you will need for your new pal.

A sample list might look something like this:

• Dog Crate
• Dog Bed
• Toys
• Chew bones
• Dog food
• Treats
• Grooming supplies: shampoo, brush/comb, nail clippers, dog toothbrush, and toothpaste, detangling spray (if applicable), leave-in conditioner
• Leash (or harness) and collar
• Heartworm/Flea Prevention
• Set up an appointment with the vet (find a vet if you don’t already have one)
• Fix loose boards in the backyard fence so the dog cannot get out of the yard
• Puppy proof the house (keep cabinets closed, put trash cans inside cabinets, etc.)
• Familiarize yourself with where the nearest animal emergency clinic is and have the phone number in a handy place
• Make a designated sleeping area for your pet
• Make a list of local groomers
  

This is not a definitive list, but it is a good start, and you can add things to it that are unique to your individual situation.

For example, if you live in an apartment, you will need to verify that your complex allows pets.  Check to see if there will be a pet deposit due or any monthly rent increase if you have a dog in the apartment.

Decide when the best time to bring your new pet home will be and plan accordingly.

Set up your schedule ahead of time, and plan and be home as much as possible during the first week that you are with your new pet.

If you know that during the week it will be rough to be home most of the time, then plan to adopt your dog on a weekend so that you at least have a few solid days together in the beginning.

Also, if you know you are going out of town, don’t adopt your dog within the few weeks before your trip.

Before you bring your dog home, it’s important to know what you will be okay with him doing and the things that you are not going to allow.

The best way to train your pet is to be consistent and straightforward from the get-go.

If you waffle on all of your commands and rules, this is just going to confuse your dog and make training more difficult.

Therefore, know ahead of time things like:

• Will you allow your dog on the furniture?
• Will you let your dog sleep in your bed?
• Will your dog have constant access to his dog food, or will you have designated feeding times?
• Will you let your dog have access to the entire backyard?

Things like this are important to know ahead of time.

If your dog comes home and jumps on the couch, and you aren't sure yet if that’s okay, then your dog won’t be sure either.

Set your rules and be ready to lay down the law from day one.

Have a schedule ready for your pup.

For example, a morning walk followed by breakfast and playtime, and then an afternoon walk when you get home from work.

Set time aside to play with your pup when you are home, then perhaps it's dinner time, followed by an evening walk, and the night ends with quiet time and bed.

Also, remember grooming when you work out your daily routine.

Depending on the breed of dog you choose, daily grooming can be very minimal to very involved.

You'll want to designate a time each day for brushing your dog's teeth, wiping or cleaning his eyes, washing his face, and possibly daily brushing.

You'll also want to have a routine in place for nail trims, grooming sessions, and any other special attention your pooch requires.

Your dog, just like you, deserves to feel safe and secure.

Providing a special area for your pet will help your dog feel comfortable.

This area can be a particular corner of a room where you put his dog bed, food and water bowls, and his toys.

You can also set up a special place for your pet in multiple rooms.

A dog crate left open with comfortable bedding inside of it can also be a great option as it helps your dog feel secure.

Depending on how often your dog will spend time outside, you can also provide a designated area for him in the yard or on your patio, like a dog house or outdoor bed.