3 Tips for the New Dog Owner

There’s nothing quite like bringing your new pup home; your friend for life. However, when becoming a first-time dog owner, there are many things that people don’t tell you about. It’s a time full of joy but it’s also a time full of challenges. 

When I first brought my dog home, there were so many things I was unaware would happen and would need to watch out for. Sleep? What’s that!? It was like bringing a newborn home—something I hadn’t quite signed up for. The good news is that your little pup will finally adapt and so will you. To help you out, here are our top pet care tips to help you both make it through the experience:

Make a place for them to sleep. 

I made so many mistakes when it came to my pup’s sleep and now the pooch has claimed my bed as his own. When he first came to my apartment, I didn’t want him to sleep in my room as he wasn’t trained to pee outdoors yet. So, I slept on the couch with him for the first two weeks (first mistake). Then, I finally got him to sleep in his dog bed outside my room for the next couple of months. Until, one night, he wouldn’t stop scratching my door. I gave in, and the rest is history: my bed is his bed. To avoid these mistakes, if you plan on crate training him, make a cozy bed in his crate. It may take some work to convince the pup of how great their little space is, but they’ll catch on as you stay consistent. CBD oil for pets can help to calm them before bed. It’s perfectly safe and when you use it about a half hour before bed, it can help them get sleepy and calm in time for bedtime.

What are you feeding them?

Finding the best food for your pup can take patience. Sometimes, dogs have unknown allergies, and they may not respond well to the food you bought for them. Also, as they adapt to your home, they may not have much of an appetite. If you find certain food is causing them to have diarrhea or an upset stomach, consider working new dog food into their diet. It also helps to have set times for their daily feeding, as it allows them to build routine. Cheap food is usually not the best for your pup, so make sure to factor in quality food when budgeting for your pup. Make sure to look up the types of foods they shouldn’t eat, as anything from grapes to chocolate can be toxic for your puppers, and to maintain a healthy weight for your dog so they can enjoy their daily lives without discomfort. 

House training your pup requires consistency.

Undoubtedly, one of the most challenging things about bringing a pup home, whatever their age, is the house-training aspect of becoming a new dog owner. We love our homes and more than likely, we want to avoid messes all over the house. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t come from the shelter completely house-trained. Training is also essential if you’re working from home with your pet, which is more common due today due to COVID restrictions in place. 

To get started, you’re going to want to invest in some pads for when he/she goes inside, as that will make it easier to clean up. Now, getting your pup to go outside is going to require time and commitment. Most professionals say to take them out every 30 minutes, although you can stretch it out to every hour. It will take time and may feel like they’ll never get it—until one day, they just stop going inside your home and start asking to go outside.

Don’t Worry!

Your life will get back to normal, with the added plus of a “best friend.” Be patient, be consistent, and everything will work out.