Bringing home a new pet is both exhilarating and exciting

How To Prepare For Your Newest Family Member

Bringing home a new pet is both exhilarating and exciting.  However, what is fun for you and your family, at the same time can quickly become nothing but major anxiety for your newest family member.  With just a little preparation, both you and your new companion can make an easier transition for everyone involved.

Have A Family Conference

Before bringing the new family member home, make sure everyone is on the same page and on board with what having a new pet entails, as well as what job each person is responsible for in regard to the new family addition.  In this manner, the possibility of confusion or problems will be minimize, which in turn will make the integration of your family and your new companion a smooth one.

Make Sure You Have Your Supplies

There are several items that are basic necessities to buy and have on hand for your new companion.

Crate

Your new family member will bet both nervous and scared in their new surroundings.  As a means of providing them a possible safe place, a crate can prove invaluable.  Also, if you are planning on crate training your companion, it is best to start from day one.

Bowls

Your new pet will need both a food bowl and a water bowl that is dedicated to just them.  This will get them used to the bowls themselves, and they should remain in the same spot as all time, for ease of being found by your companion.

Food and treats

It is suggested that you use the same food, and treats, that your companions is used to.  If you feel the need to change either their food or treats, do is slowly in small increments, to prevent any chance of an upset stomach.

Collar and leash

It is best to get your companion used to wearing a collar, and being led on a leash as soon as possible.  They will most assuredly fight the idea, but with a little time and patience, they will be walking by your side happily in no time.

Bed

Your companion really needs its own bed.  It is not a good idea to let them get in the habit of getting on the furniture if that is going to change down the road.  Not only will it confuse them, but once they have felt the comfinessof your furniture, they are less likely to give it up without a fight.

Toys

Every companion, no matter what age, loves toys.  However, with the younger family members, a chew toy can prove an invaluable asset.  Dogs chew—it is just their nature.  Even though you can’t change the fact that they chew, you can control what they do and do not chew on.

Cleaners

It is a given that at some time or another your companion will have an accident.  It is in your best interest to have cleaning supplies on hand to handle the issue, because the longer the issue is left unresolved, the harder it will be to deal with.

Baby gates

When first introducing your companion to their new home, it is best not to let them have full run from day one.  This only adds to their anxiety of being in a new situation.  It is suggested that you block them off, and limit them to one room, adding more rooms after a few days.  To aid in this endeavor, baby gates are a great idea.

Puppy-Proofing

Before your new companion arrives, make sure you have puppy-proofed your home.  Make sure to pick up any items and place them out of reach of your new companion, that may cause harm to them or they may cause harm to.

With a little time taken out to make the proper preparations, your companion will begin feeling like a member of the family in no time, and everyone will be happy and content.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

Leave a Reply