A New Pup! Time to Prepare...

You’ve decided to adopt a new canine companion…congratulations! It’s an exciting time! But, with the excitement of a new adoption comes a fair amount of stress and overthinking when it comes to the particulars…there is only so much you can plan for, but I wanted to provide you all with a practical guide for adopting a new pup!

Firstly, Do Your Research! As should be clear by now from reading these blogs, we here at What Dogs Want believe education is our greatest strength. Research which breeds of dogs are best suited to your current lifestyle, and plan accordingly! Simple things like: do you have a back garden? Are you at work a lot? How much walking makes sense for you? All very simple, yes, but essential in picking the right companion for you and the right owner for them! Also, research the wants and needs of breed mixes as they can differ wildly.

In a practical sense, figure out the basics first of all: the weight of your dog and the size of your dog are simple, but important things to know. That way you can purchase a leash and harness that fits! However, until they are in your home, you won’t know for sure which size fits best. Consider different size options and what kind of harness or collar to use. Also, consider where they will sleep: in bed with you, or in a dog bed. Of course, every dog is an individual beyond just breed and different dogs will want different things so be prepared for different options! Also, if adopting from a different country, your new pet will have possibly travelled for days in the back of a van, so  make sure you have pet wipes on hand for a quick method of cleaning your new arrival without the stress of a bath! And, of course, plenty of blankets and toys! It’s essential that they have their own things that they can get their scent on, bond with, and recognise as their own comfort items.

Next, Puppy Proof your home! Whilst your new resident is getting used to their new home, you’re going want to make it extra safe for them! You’ll want to proof the home for:

• Hazards! As your new pup is exploring their new home you’ll want to make sure they do so safely. Look at ways of minimising risks to them like stray cables being tucked away and not leaving any chocolate or crisps lying around etc. simple but so important! Try to look at things from a dog’s perspective: they will definitely see things that you may not notice yourself! Be prepared to move things on the fly and always remember that it’s better to be too cautious than not cautious enough!
• Space for seclusion/ decompression! A new dog in a strange place after a long journey may need their own area to feel secure. Make sure you give them a dedicated space that is their own, quiet and extra comfortable! This can be a separate room where no one else is, so if they are getting too excitable or overwhelmed and stressed, you can bring them to this neutral zone so that their self soothing can kick in.
• Pee Pads! Your new best friend might be toilet trained…but a new environment might lead to overstimulation and ‘accidents’ happening. Placing pee pads strategically is the best policy in this instance. It’ll be your responsibility to reinforce their toilet training with positive reinforcement techniques (praise and treats afterwards, for example) or getting them started on constructive toilet training in the same way.
• Speaking of…Stock up on Cleaning Supplies! Your best bet for cleaning away stains and odours as efficiently and effectively as possible is with an enzyme cleaner. A great one that we use is Simple Solution Enzyme Cleaner (available on Amazon!)
• Consider purchasing a safety gate! This applies especially if you have children or other pets in the home! For the first weeks, you’ll want to have a quick solution that separates the pets without making them feel trapped behind a door. A safety gate achieves both! This will be essential if you plan to leave your dog home alone, and can also be used to designate their decompression area.

Now that you’ve proofed the home…it’s time to have A Plan of Action! These are key decisions that will shape your dog’s relationship with you and set the standard for their care and well-being. Make sure:

• Make sure to establish someone as the Primary Care-giver! Someone your dog can rely upon for food, comfort & companionship. If you live with somebody else, however, it is essential to also establish them as a safe, reliable provider who can take on feeding and grooming duties for the new arrival when necessary. This creates stability and familiarity for the new dog and will reduce their stress levels dramatically whilst increasing their social currency in the new home.
• For the same reasons, make sure to give equal weight to Walking Duties! Whilst getting familiar with their new walking routes it’s important the dog feels a sense of consistency in a strange new environment.

• Sleeping Situation! Will your new pup sleep in their own bed or with you? And what time should bedtime be set for? Again, these are essential for building a healthy routine and rhythm for your companion. Adult dogs need around 12-14 hours of sleep per day, and puppies need up to 18 hours per day! A lot of this will be naps throughout the day but dedicated sleep time is even more important as a result!

• Register with a Vet! You’ll want to schedule a check up as early as possible and familiarise yourself with the dog’s most recent health credentials. 

• Pet Insurance! You want to make sure that they are covered medically for the future as soon as possible; it’s better for them and it’s better for your wallet!

Finally, remember that every dog will require time to decompress, learn your routine, and feel comfortable! They’ve just arrived in a strange new world where everything is different. The time it takes will vary between every dog; there is no set timeline for when to feel safe. Your role is to be patient, be attentive, and guide them through this transition. Your pup’s personal history, experience with people and other pets will play heavily into how long they take to fully settle and assimilate with your life. As will factors such as whether they were rescued from the street or adopted from a shelter hold weight in determining a timeframe. It might be difficult…it might take a while…but it will be worth it in the end. While it takes us owners only a few seconds to fall in love with our canine companions, they just need a little more time and patience. 

For any further advice on what to expect with a new doggie arrival and what you can do to fully prepare, please get in touch with us at What Dogs Want! Our experts can help you directly and then you can help your new dog get what they really want: a happy new home.

Written by C.W. Swan

Sources:

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/new-puppy-checklist

https://www.royalcanin.com/uk/dogs/puppy/preparing-for-your-puppys-arrival

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/puppycare

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/puppy/checklist

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/new-puppy-checklist

Meet Your Dog - Kim Brophey