If you’re bringing a new pet home, it’s important to be prepared.
At Saint N Mike, we want you and your new friend to have a great relationship from day one. Learn about four things we wish we had known before bringing a dog home below, and don’t forget to visit our catalog to find a variety of unique products for dogs that will make your four-legged friend feel at home from day one!
Dog-Proof Your Home
Whether you’re bringing home a young puppy or an older dog who has already lived in a home, it’s important to make sure that you’ve dog-proofed yours before you bring them home. Purchase gates to close off-limits rooms, don’t leave anything on the floor that you don’t want your dog to chew on, and consider purchasing a crate that you can use when you leave. It’s nearly impossible to anticipate how your dog will interact with your home, so monitor their behavior and adjust your dog-proofing strategy once you’ve brought them home.
The Earlier You Start Training, the Better
You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and while there are good reasons to believe that it isn’t true, it is rooted in a grain of truth. It’s much easier to instill good habits in a new dog than it is to break them, but that’s not to say that breaking bad habits is impossible — it just takes work. If you don’t have time to train your dog or the prospect of reading training guides feels like too much to take on, then ask your friends and family members for professional training course recommendations.
Don’t Be Afraid to Call the Vet
Many new dog owners feel a lot like new parents in the sense that they simultaneously worry and second-guess themselves whenever the newest member of the family does something different. Are they sleeping too much? Is it normal if they aren’t hungry? Are they developing at a healthy rate?
You should establish a relationship with your vet as soon as you bring a new dog home, and one of the most important things you can do as a new owner is to rely on them for advice. If something doesn’t seem right or you’re wondering what to do in a certain situation, you should feel comfortable calling their office and speaking with a technician. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and speak to an expert than it is to rely on the internet!
You’ll Probably Spend More Than You Expected
This probably isn’t what you wanted to read, but it’s true: You should expect to spend more than you’ve budgeted for. Whether you’ve found unique products for dogs you can’t live without or your dog’s initial vaccination, licensing, and spay or neutering appointments are more than you expected, it’s important to remember that you’ve taken on new responsibilities as a pet owner. You may have to skip takeout for a month or allocate more money to your dog’s needs each month, but we can’t think of more worthwhile investments than the love we receive from our furry friends.
You can also shop the Saint N Mike catalog to find unique dog toys and other one-of-a-kind products that improve your dog’s quality of life without breaking the bank — find everything your pup needs today!