More than one in five (21%) dog owners in the UK adopt their new four-legged friend from a rescue centre or animal charity.
But, how should you prepare your house before bringing a new pooch home for the first time?
Dog chew specialists and rescue dog advocates, TastyBone have compiled a simple guide for preparing a home for a newly adopted pet, to ensure they get the best possible welcome into their new family and make the transition into home life less daunting.
Assess room layout
If you plan on keeping your new pet in the kitchen, make sure they won’t be able to climb onto tables or work surfaces, and, if adopting a large or bouncy dog, a baby gate should be installed to prevent your dog getting into other rooms or upstairs unsupervised. Think of preparing your home as babyproofing and get rid of anything that should be chewable or easily swallowed.
Restaurant quality
A dog’s feeding area is really important, so place the food and water bowls in a quiet and undisturbed area which, once decided, isn’t moved. Make sure you buy the same food that the dog has already been eating at the rescue centre for at least a few weeks, to reduce the risk of an upset stomach.
Bedroom of dreams
A good-sized, cosy bed is essential to make a dog feel at ease in their new environment. Although it has negative connotations, a crate can provide a really good introduction for the pet, as it will have a private space to call its own. This can also stop restlessness at nighttime, and your dog will feel extra comfortable if you make their crate as cosy as possible, with all their favourite toys and blanket.
Stock up
From collars and leads, to treats and toys, make a list of essentials and buy double, even triple, what is needed. Toilet mats and pet-safe antibacterial cleanser is a must for any early accidents that happen while the dog is getting used to their new home, especially if they haven’t been house trained. Getting caught short without enough poo bags could be not only embarrassing but may also lead to a hefty fine from the council.
Rehearse
Before the dog enters your home, it’s wise to practice certain behaviours and habits you and the family will have to get used to, such as not leaving shoes or slippers around to be chewed. Other examples include putting all food out of reach, shutting doors to rooms they won’t be allowed into and storing valuables in safe places.
A formal introduction
Bring the new dog into the home on the lead at first and take them around their new surroundings introducing them to their bed, the lounge and any other areas that are available to them. A firm ‘no’ or ‘leave’ command when venturing into off-limit areas is a good start too. The same steps can be repeated in the garden so they can have a play and smell around their new environment.
Steph Green, Junior Brand Manager at TastyBone, said: “Deciding to give a rescue dog a new home is one of the greatest joys in life, but in all the excitement it’s sometimes easy to overlook some of the finer planning details.
“Make sure that you have every supply necessary, including toys, treats, a bed and grooming products, and if you have a car you will need to think about seatbelts, travel crates, protectors and a whole lot more. Our TastyBone products are great for dogs, especially those who like to chew! We hope that our tips can aid your preparation for when your new furry pal arrives home.”
For more helpful tricks and tips surrounding dog ownership, visit https://www.tastybone.com/blog
