Adopting a new furry friend is life-changing and can provide plenty of unconditional love and joy to any home. If you are thinking of adopting a new puppy, and you want to do so while feeling confident, preparing ahead of time and conducting research about the breed you intend to bring into your household can go a long way. The more familiar you are with the process of adopting and training a new furry friend, the easier you will find the adjustment period once your pup is home with you.
Buy Cleaning Supplies
One of the first ways to go about preparing for a new furry friend is to invest in the proper cleaning supplies for your home. Because puppies will require training to learn to go ‘potty’ or relieve themselves out doors or on a pad, you may experience numerous accidents during the process. Investing in floor cleaning supplies, wipes, and antibacterial sprays can be done by shopping at a local supermarket or even by browsing for the cleaning products you prefer at wholesale prices online, depending on your budget and preferred method of shopping.
Finding the best cleaning supplies for your home will greatly depend on the type of flooring, carpeting, or fabric you intend to clean. Anytime you are shopping around for new cleaning supplies to take care of accidents or spills caused by your new dog, you will also want to take a bit of time to research the safety recommendations for each product you’re interested in using. Avoid using harsh chemicals in the home when you have pets or children in the household.
Searching for the right cleaning supplies when you are in the process of adopting a new puppy can be done with a bit of time online. Search for traditional, well-known, and even new types of cleaning supplies designed specifically to eliminate odors, stains, and accidents caused by dogs and other pets that may be in the home at the time. While you are browsing online to compare different products, brands, and manufacturers, be sure to seek verified reviews from genuine online users to learn more about the potential highlights and drawbacks of each before purchasing your own.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Every pet owner understands the importance of preparing a home for a new furry friend. However, if you’re new to owning a pet and this is the first time you are adopting a new dog into your household, you will want to learn more about the process of puppy-proofing all areas of your house, both indoors and out. From protecting doors and expensive furniture to investing in a fence for your yard, you may need to take some time to brainstorm which areas of your house require the most attention before you bring a new dog or any type of animal into your family.
Investing in puppy training pads, furniture wraps or protectors, and even training toys or obstacle courses can all help you prepare better for bringing a new dog into the home, regardless of the breed you are adopting. Spending a bit of time researching the proper foods, types of toys, and training equipment that are most likely to benefit dogs of the same breeds as yours can help significantly if you are new to owning a dog and want to feel comfortable with the adoption process before moving forward. The more familiar you become with various training toys, solutions, and puppy-proofing products on the market, the easier it will be for you to ensure all areas of your home are genuinely prepared before allowing the dog into your home.
Prepare Yourself for Difficult Nights
Unfortunately, adopting a new furry friend means preparing yourself for potentially difficult nights, especially if you’ve adopted a particularly needy breed or a breed of dog that is more mischievous and prone to acting out. If you want to prepare yourself for difficult nights ahead of time before the hard part of training your new puppy begins, you may want to do so by investing in new furniture, pet-proofed decor, and other items around the home that can help keep your dog out of trouble.
From visiting local mattress stores to compare new beds that include tear-proof materials to shopping for dog toys, sprays, and other deterrents locally and online, there are a few different resources available when it is time to shop for your new pup. When you want to prepare yourself for difficult nights, it’s important to consider how you will protect your furnishings, where your new dog will sleep, and whether it will be in a cage or permitted to sleep in your bed or on the floor.
To learn more about the best course of action to take, it is best to familiarize yourself with the type of dog breed you’re thinking of adopting and bringing into the home ahead of time. When you understand the type of behavior that you should come to expect from a particular dog breed, you will know what to expect at various stages of growth. Joining online communities and reading verified websites dedicated to dog training are both great ways to feel much more confident in your ability to deal with potentially challenging nights while you’re in the transitioning phase of adopting a new dog in your own home.
Install a Reliable Heating and Cooling System
If you want to keep your newly adopted dog as comfortable as possible year-round in your home, you may need to install a reliable heating and cooling system, especially if your HVAC system is not working efficiently or at all at the moment. Maintaining a steady and predictable temperature with a well-maintained HVAC system will not only allow you to remain comfortable, but it can also reduce electricity bills while simultaneously extending the lifespan of your HVAC furnace or air conditioner altogether.
When you want to inspect or maintain your home’s HVAC system before adopting a new dog, you will want to seek a local AC contractor or a trusted heating contractor near you. Working with a professional HVAC contractor can streamline the process of inspecting and maintaining your HVAC system while providing valuable insights into the current condition and efficiency of your furnace and any air conditioners or central cooling system you have in place at the time. Whenever you are thinking of hiring a heating contractor or company to work in your home before adopting a new dog, you will also want to verify the authenticity of any licensing, certification, and insurance that is presented to you beforehand to protect yourself as a homeowner.
Accept That Your Home Will Be Messy
Anytime you are adjusting to having a new furry friend in the home, it’s important to remember that your home will likely be a bit messier than usual. Messes are not uncommon and can be expected when you are adopting a new dog, especially when you intend to adopt a puppy who has not yet been trained when it comes to going potty or even chewing items around the home. Whether you are a home painter or if you keep office documents lying around, it’s imperative to take the time to prepare your surroundings ahead of time before introducing a new puppy to the space for the best possible outcome.
Ensure Your Plumbing is Up to Date
Before adopting any new dog into your home, it’s important to ensure your home’s plumbing is up-to-date, especially if you are the property owner. As a homeowner, knowing how to go about inspecting and maintaining your house’s plumbing year-round is essential to prevent clogs, back-ups, or even sewer line issues, depending on the current setup of your home and the plumbing system you have installed and in place. If you’re ready to take the time to ensure your household’s plumbing is up to date before bringing a new puppy into the home, you can do so by seeking a trusted and reputable plumber near you.
Finding the best local plumbing companies near you can be done by asking those you know in your area for advice, recommendations, and referrals based on their personal experiences in the recent past. When you are interested in learning more about local plumbing contractors and companies near you, turn to social media and traditional online search engines to compare your options. While getting to know prospective plumbers in your area, be sure to verify that they are licensed, insured, and certified to work in residential homes.
Buy Your Puppy Some Clothes and Toys
If you want to buy a new furry friend some clothes and toys, you can do so before bringing them to their new home as a welcoming gift. Whether you’re an avid Pokemon fan or you prefer classic toys, treats, and clothes for dogs, you can find a wide range of options for all dog breeds and sizes by shopping locally at pet stores and even by shopping from home, online. Shopping locally and online will allow you the ability to compare all your available options before making the purchase that is genuinely right for you and the type of dog you are adopting.
Before shopping for any type of toy or piece of clothing for your new puppy, it is also recommended to take a bit of time to research the breed you intend to add to your household. The more familiar you are with the breed of dog you are adopting, the easier it will be for you to determine if they are likely to enjoy being dressed up or accessorized. Understanding the type of dog breed you intend to bring in the home can make a world of difference in terms of the experience you have as a new pet owner.
Learn To Help Them Transition
Whenever you’re in the process of bringing a new furry friend into the home, you will also need to take a bit of time to get to know your dog as best as possible. Helping them feel comfortable when they are around you is often key, especially if you are adopting a dog that requires ongoing anxiety treatment or is currently struggling with separation anxiety during the transition. From investing in comfort toys and blankets to providing your new dog with the best massage each day, there are a few different ways to keep in mind that can help your new puppy transition into its new place of living.
If your newly adopted puppy is experiencing anxiety, it can be heartbreaking to witness, especially if it is visibly shaken, panting, or unable to focus without crying out. Dealing with anxiety in dogs is often possible by providing comfort, love, touch (when accepted), and in some cases, even treats and comfort blankets or jackets, depending on the severity of the anxiety condition at the time. If you are unsure of how to go about addressing the anxiety you’re witnessing in a puppy you’ve recently adopted, it is often best to turn to a local veterinarian or clinic near you that you can trust and rely on for the treatment your dog needs and deserves.
Finding the proper vet for your newly adopted dog can be tricky if you are new to owning a dog or if you have just recently moved to an entirely new location. Ask neighbors, friends, and family members you trust in the same area who own pets for their recommendations if you’re unsure of where to begin. You can also take a bit of time to seek out veterinarians near you online, where you can compare services and read testimonials from past patients to find a location that is optimal for your dog’s anxiety needs.
Anytime you are thinking of adopting a new furry friend, researching the process and getting to know more about your preferred dog breeds can help significantly in making your experience much more enjoyable. When you are well aware of what goes into adopting a new furry friend of any kind, you are also less likely to find yourself caught off-guard when it comes to discovering an accident in the home or reprimanding bad behavior. The more you understand about the type of dog you intend to adopt, the more you will find the journey of adopting a new puppy pleasant and joyful.