Dog Pregnancy Calculator And Timeline
First Time Dog Owner! Best Wishes!
There are certain things in life which money or fame cannot guarantee. One such thing is the joy of becoming a first-time dog owner.
It’s a new start to a journey filled with care, companionship, trust, and love. You cannot adopt or bring home a new pet just like that.
For that journey to become a satisfying one, you should understand what’s right for both you and your pet.
Are you ready to meet all their needs? Can you make them happy the moment they walk into your house?
Useful Tips For First Time Dog Owners
Are you keen to jump on the bandwagon of buying a new dog? Congratulations to you for entering this marvelous world of canine ownership!
Go through these essential tips and prepare yourself to become a responsible dog owner.
1. Are you mentally prepared and know what to expect?
It could be an adult dog or a puppy, there is usually some sort of adjustment period in the beginning.
Be well prepared in advance and stay calm. Senior dogs may need more time, especially if they spent more time in a rescue or a shelter.
Puppies, in general, need plenty of training including potty and house training. Get your home ready and this will aid you to get off fast.
2. Learn A-Z about puppies
Puppies are beautiful. Are they easy to handle?
There are a lot of things you should know about puppies. You may or may not know the right way to raise puppies.
Vaccinations, training, and early socialization are some of the many things you will need to add to your must-do list.
The best way is to start the research before your puppy actually comes home. In this way, you are well-prepared to face any eventuality.
3. Take care of your dog’s basic requirements
After becoming a proud dog, you should master the most important simple dog care tips.
At the outset, each and every dog needs proper social interaction, physical care, adequate shelter, and nutrition.
4. A vet can make a world of difference
Every pet needs a qualified vet. The very first place you should visit after bringing home a dog is your local vet.
Your vet will check your dog’s health and she will make you understand about your dog.
Your vet will guide you with enough tips on dog care. Seek a qualified team and staff.
5. Maintain enough stock
You have to ensure that your dog eats well. For that to happen, you should decide what you want and what your pet needs? You can ask a dog expert to begin with.
Carefully find your way through the collections of dog crates, collars, leashed, beds, bowls, shampoo, and toys. There are some useful pet supply websites that can meet all your requirement.
6. Select the Perfect Dog Food
The food your dog eats decides his health to a large extent. Your pet’s diet determines his overall health. With plenty of foods to choose, you may easily get distracted.
Read and understand the essentials of dog nutrition. Select the most appropriate diet that fits your pet’s needs. Bear in mind, there is no fixed solution or magic formula when we talk about dog food.
Simple tip- if you find your pet doing well on specific dog food, then you are on the right track. You should ensure whether the food is balanced and complete.
7. Dog Training is Important
Every pet needs training. Dog training helps you manage your dog; it gives your pet a clear sense of direction. Proper training can easily make both dogs and you much happier.
Dog training will improve the bond between both you and the dog. Spend quality time each day and train your dog following all the important steps of training.
8. Behavior Problems
No dog is obedient. Most dog lovers will have to face some sort of a behavior problem at some point in their life. It can include destructive chewing or excessive barking.
Some of the other behavior problems include aggression and separation anxiety. In the long run, it’s better to have previous knowledge about dog behavior problems before they cause trouble for your dog and you.
Recommended Read: Pet Body Language Guide
9. Be prepared to handle health problems
Your dog is bound to face some important health issues in its lifetime. Some dogs will only exhibit minor health issues that are simple and easy to deal with.
Luckily, your dog will not face any serious health issues. Take enough precautions to maintain your dog’s health and many health problems can be avoided.
10. Behave like a trustworthy dog owner
Every dog or cat owner should behave in a responsible manner. It means you are ready to take care of your dog and unconditionally accept responsibility for all your dog’s action.
This can be further elaborated as taking care of your pet while moving harmoniously with your community members. Any responsible first time dog owner will do this without any hesitation.
If you do this, then you can claim to be a responsible first time dog owner.
Ideal Dogs For First Time Dog Owners
There are plenty of dog breeds in the open. Each and every dog breed consists of a relatively predictable grooming need, energy level, and size.
Some dog breeds suitable for most first time dog owners
- Golden Retriever
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Poodle
- Pomeranian
- Papillon
- Labrador Retriever
- Bichon Frise
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Boxer
Guidelines For All Prospective Pet Owners
1. Prevent Pet-selection woes
Mismatched pets can cause unnecessary mental agony to both you and your pet. This eventually leads to a situation where the pet ends up in a rescue shelter.
Do proper research work before you adopt or buy a pet. This step will help you determine whether you can handle the responsibilities that accompany a pet.
2. Analyze your activity level
Analyze your current energy or physical activity need. If you follow a more haphazard or a sedentary lifestyle, you may not do well with dogs that need tons of exercise.
Siberian Husky needs exercise on a daily basis for both mental and physical stimulation. You can simply choose a dog breed that does not require plenty of exercise on a daily basis.
If you could get yourself a cat, all the better.
3. Where you live matters a lot
Larger dog breed such as Great Dane or Cane Corso may need homes with their own yard. If you are a city dweller or cramped for space, you should consider small dogs such as Corgi or a Beagle.
4. Make your home dog or cat-friendly
You can definitely avoid a lot of headaches if you make all the preparations for your dog or cat before adopting them. The first step involves getting all the items your pet may require. For both cats or dogs, good quality dry food is a must.
Beyond these things, you should have travel crates, pee pads, scratch posts, toys, and water bowls.
Some non-home trained dogs may call for a puppy proof home. This involves creating a separate hygienic space for your pets while they get used to their new living zone.
Puppy-proofing a home includes :
- Sealing loose electrical cords
- Installing gates and safety rails
- Setting up your pet crate
- Removing or securing all the breakables, rugs, and plants
- Moving chemicals on high shelves
The Bottom Line
Many Millennial peers are keen to have a baby when they reach 30 years or so. In most cases, it’s a four-legged dog or cat who receive an unbelievable public response.
Giving your pet a super-duper lifestyle can get a tad expensive. Based on different factors such as the place you live in, your pet’s health and current age- you can still offer your dog a happy and high standard of life.
The financial challenges connected to owning a pet can be a bit intimidating for many pet lovers.
Yes, the knowledge that a loyal friend is now a part of your cherished family is even more satisfying.
Before you select a dog, kindly go through these questions and decide for yourself:
- Are you a lazy or an active person?
- Can you spend enough time to raise your puppy?
- Are you game for daily grooming needs?
- How much time can you spend on training a dog on a daily basis?
