New Dog Guide

New Dog

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Dog Guide

Getting Started

Having a new dog is like hosting a family member, a toddler, and a nervous new roommate all at once. While joyous, it takes time to figure out the rules of the house. Your new dog will have many questions. When is dinner time? Where do I sleep? Can I go outside or do I just wait here? What can I play with?

Have some basics ready to go: the more prepared you are, the better able to handle any surprises that come your way.

Tips for Settling In

Patience and consistency are key to helping your pet adjust to their new home. Many animals can feel anxious or overwhelmed during the first few days; let them familiarize themselves with you and their environment at their own pace. Setting up a predictable routine for meals, walks, and playtime can also be beneficial when easing your pet into their new lifestyle.

Food

Pet nutrition differs for every animal, so there isn’t just one food that’s considered the best. Dry dog foods like FirstMate Wild Pacific Caught Fish & Oats Dry Food or Orijen Original Recipe Dry Food are simple to feed and come in many options. A freeze-dried dog food like Shepherd Boy Farms Bison Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Food can make feeding a raw diet more approachable. And Ziwi Peak Beef Air-Dried Food is great for pups that love texture with a little bit of chew! It may take a few tries before finding the right food for your dog, or even a combination of foods. That being said, it isn’t necessary to stick to the same thing forever. In fact, we recommend introducing your pet to different types of food and proteins! Diversifying their diets not only keeps meals interesting, but it can also increase the variety of nutrients your pup gets.

Toppers & Sides

Toppers and sides can be mixed into existing diets to add moisture, protein, and flavor. Adding a few Open Farm Meat Balls to a bowl of NutriSource Chicken & Rice Recipe w/ Wholesome Grains Dry Food offers a boost of protein and makes meals more interesting. Incorporating toppers can diversify your pet’s diet and can be beneficial in situations when you might not have their go-to food on hand.

Bowls

Bowls are an often overlooked element of feeding time. We strongly recommend dishwasher-safe, stainless steel bowls, especially if you feed raw, because stainless steel is easy to clean, won’t harbor bacteria, and won’t chip.

Leashes & Collars

Collars should fit snugly with room for two fingers between the collar and your dog. For leashes, start with a standard six foot leash. Got a dog who pulls? Pair a six-point leash with a dual clip harness, which gives you the option to attach the leash to the front of the harness for more control. Safe walks are always the goal and treats like Bixbi Pocket Trainers Bacon Flavor Training Treats can reinforce good behavior.

Training & Sleep

You’re going to be doing some degree of training with your new dog. No matter what degree of training you decide to go for, it’s better to start sooner than later. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks…but it’s easier to break bad habits before they become routine.

Crates & Pens

Crates and pens are the doggy equivalent of cribs and playpens, offering a safe and contained space where your new pup can feel protected. Crates can also help with potty training for puppies. Make sure to find the right size and type for your dog: puppies should have just enough room to turn around and lie down, while soft sided crates should only be used with adult dogs and non-chewers. The MidWest Contour Double Door Dog Crate is especially good for growing puppies, since it comes with a divider that can be adjusted.

Training Tools & Harnesses

We are big believers in using the right harness and leash, as well as early training for behavior, potty training, crates, and walking etiquette. Positive reinforcement is a big part in establishing rules and boundaries that make your dog feel safe and secure. Clicker training in tandem with a treat can help reinforce good behaviors. Plus, the time you spend working together will establish a deeper bond.

Beds

Dog beds should be big enough to easily fit your dog, while also being comfortable, durable, and machine washable. Find the bed that suits your pet: some dogs need to burrow, while others sprawl. Senior dogs and dogs with extra health needs may need an orthopedic dog bed for additional support.

Health & Wellness

We take it as a given that dogs depend on us to feed them, take them for walks, and make sure we keep them dry and warm at night - we cheerfully do these things every day. It can be less instinctive to take care of the other things they depend on us for: dental and nail care, flea maintenance, and health supplements. But regular maintenance should be on the radar to help avoid long-term issues.

Flea & Tick

Fleas and ticks are much easier to prevent than they are to eradicate. Preventative measures such as spot-on topicals or collars, which are available in both natural and traditional varieties, can stop pests from becoming a problem. Seresto Flea & Tick Dog Collars need to be replaced every eight months, while topical options often need monthly reapplication. If your pet already has a flea problem, it’s best to take care of it quickly with a treatment that will kill existing pests. In addition to keeping your pet itch free, using the Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home can help get rid of unwelcome fleas and tick in your home.

Grooming & Dental

Routine pet grooming is a critical part of maintenance. Whether you wash your pet at home or visit our self-service pet wash, using the right brush and washing your dog will keep their skin and coat healthy. And establishing dental and nail routines early will save money and headaches down the road. If your pet resists tooth brushing, options such as ropes, bones, and dental chews for dogs like Whimzees Stix Dog Dental Chews can help scrape your pet’s teeth.

Supplements

Pets can’t voice when they are having problems, but they tend to show us in other ways that they need our help. Loose stools, nervous barking, or a reluctance to go on walks may be symptoms of deeper problems that can be addressed with supplements. For example, glucosamine and chondroitin are frequently recommended for joint issues while supplements like Nulo Functional Probiotic Chews have been found to help promote skin and coat health.

Sanitation

Cleaning up after poop, pee, and everything in between is an unavoidable part of being a pet parent. Dog poop bags, spades, pee pads, and cleaners and pet odor eliminating sprays are tools you might want to have and can make alleviating the mess much easier.

Cleanup

Clean up for an already potty-trained dog can be as simple as using a poop bag or a scooper. If you have a new puppy, a dog that is still learning the ropes, or a dog with some medical complications, then you may need a few more dog sanitation tools. Dog pee pads or pee grass may help with emergencies or establishing an indoor spot for pottying, and a dependable cleaner and odor spray might be your best friend for removing stains and odors.

Playtime

Playtime. It’s basically the best part of your dog’s day. Spending time with you, doing fun stuff, and maybe even getting something delicious to eat. Keep your best friend in playtime heaven by stocking up on all the good things - like treats, chews, and toys - that keep boredom at bay.

Treats

Believe it or not, all treats are not created alike. Low calorie treats for dogs are good for training since you can dole out more in one session, while high meat treats like JustFoodForDogs Chicken Breast Treats can be extremely motivating – especially for food lovers. No matter what you choose, treats are a staple and give your dog added assurance that they are special and cherished.

Chews

Chews offer a delicious reward while also being a time-consuming, mentally stimulating activity, which can help ease pet anxiety. Choose the right chew for your dog, based on mouth size, dog size, chewing enthusiasm, and past chewing behaviors. Deli items like Redbarn Collagen Wrapped Esophagus Stick Chew and Fog City Pet Bully Sticks often come in multiple sizes, so double check that it’s the right fit.

Toys

All dogs have their own toy preferences, but we recommend one plush, one interactive, and one outdoorsy fetch/pull toy to begin with. Interactive and stuffable toys are especially great for smart, bored dogs, while ropes, frisbees, and balls are a good bonding activity. A 3-in-1 toy like Chuckit! Rope Fetch Dog Toy is a good option since it can be thrown, tugged, and gnawed on.

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