Adopting a Dog? Here are Some Helpful Tips

Getting a new dog is a thrilling experience, and your new canine friend ultimately becomes a new addition to your family who will serve as a loving companion for many happy years. However, as you may well expect, owning a pet is a huge responsibility, and there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before making the final decision, as well as how to take care of your new dog. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect, we are going to provide some useful tips to take on board to help you prepare for adopting your new fuzzy friend.

Ensure You Have Sufficient Outdoor Space

Dogs need a place to let off steam and ‘do their business.’ Therefore, it’s important you have enough outdoor space for them to roam in between their daily walks. Unfortunately, most dogs stay cooped up while their owners are at work, but they need constant stimulation and a change of their surroundings to prevent behavioral issues. With this in mind, you should aim to let your dog explore the outdoors to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing – providing it is safe to do so. Pay attention to the condition of your yard and check for any aspects that could be a safety hazard. Installing composite decking has become a popular option for dog owners as it provides a safe and secure space for dogs to explore and does not splinter or warp, but you may be wondering how much does a deck cost? Outdoor Living Inc. understood that this was a common question, so they have a guide on this with the answer, enabling you to budget correctly and have your decking in no time.

It’s A Legal Requirement To Have Them Microchipped

It has become the law in most states to have your dog microchipped. You can never plan for the unfortunate moment that your dog may get lost or run away, so you need to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. Without the relevant contact details, it would be near enough impossible to ever be reunited with your beloved pooch. Microchipping is a simple procedure that can be carried out by your vet. Also, ensure that you include a tag on your dog’s collar, including a phone number and your postal code so you can be traced.

Be Aware of What Your Dog Eats

Some foods can be deadly to dogs, so while you may be keen to feed them scraps from your plate, ensure you’re well educated on the type of foods that could cause your dog more harm than good. These include but are not limited to:

• Chocolate
• Onions
• Grapes
• Nuts

What’s more, you should also be aware not to overfeed your dog, as this could cause obesity and lead to severe health complications.

Start Training

The key to a positive relationship with your dog is ensuring that there are clear boundaries in place. Puppies, in particular, are unaware of the rights and wrongs, and in the early days, you may find that they are chewing furniture or even urinating in the house. However, rewarding good behavior will ensure they learn how to conduct themselves – much like children.