Seven steps to creating a dog friendly home environment.
So, you’re on your way to adopting a dog, but how can you make sure your home is ready for your new canine companion? Here are some tips from our experts to ensure your family and home are paw-fectly prepared.
Stock up
Have you got all the items your dog will need day to day? You’ll need a harness, lead and collar, bowls, food, a bed, treats and toys. Make sure you check what food the dog has already been eating to make the transition as easy as possible.
Consider a crate
Dogs instinctively like to have an open ‘den’ that they can use as a safe place where they feel secure. A dog crate usually consists of a wire frame with a removable tray within the base where the dog’s bedding can be placed, but they are available in many different sizes, designs and materials. The crate should be big enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around and sit comfortably in a normal posture.
Puppy proofing
Each dog’s reaction to a new home will be different, but just as you would prepare your home for a new baby, you should do the same for a new pet. Close all external windows and doors, hide away your cleaning fluids, disinfectants and medicines in cupboards your pet won’t be able to reach, lock up gaps behind kitchen appliances and under cupboards, screen off fireplaces, and place electric cables out of reach so your dog can’t get tangled in them. You should also look out for fragile ornaments and tiny objects that the dog might swallow and remove items they might knock over or that could be chewed on (e.g. books, shoes, etc.)
Loo at the ready
The first thing you’ll need to do when you take your dog home is to take them to wherever they will typically be toileting. Take them to the garden, let them sniff around and get used to going out there. Use positive reinforcement and praise them when they do their business there for the first time.
Keep it calm
Friends and family may be keen to meet your new addition, but lots of visitors all at once in this unfamiliar environment can make your new dog anxious. Try to make the dog’s first day in the new home a calm period of adjustment – any children in the household need to understand that your new pet will need to be left alone for a while. After a few days you might want to allow visitors in, but try to do this gradually and individually at first, rather than inviting everyone at once.
Distraction techniques
When you first get a new dog, you’ll need to stay with them to help them settle at first. When you do eventually have to leave them alone, invest in an enrichment item such as a stuffed treat toy or puzzle food bowl to help provide a mental and physical distraction. This can help to prevent issues such as separation anxiety.
Pet pals
If you already have pets in the house, make sure they’re all up to date with their vaccinations and that they’re in good health before introducing them to your dog. If you have more than one dog, it’s important to ensure you have enough toys, beds and hiding places to avoid them becoming competitive and fighting.
Thinking about adopting a dog? Visit our dog rehoming page to see who is currently looking for a new home.
