How do I buy my first dog? Get Your Pet Thinking

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After finding your new best friend, its time to get ready for the world of dog ownership.

Have you decided to get your first dog? Congratulations, this is a big step and its important that you do it right to become a dog owner. Decide what kind of dog is right for you and find out where to find your first dog.

Come up with a routine, and stick with it.

Change can be unsettling. To help your dog adjust, come up with a daily routine for your pup.

For example, you could start the day with a walk and breakfast, then time in the confinement space until a dog walker comes, then confinement with a dog treat toy or chewie until you come home, another walk, dinner and time hanging out in the living room. It doesn’t matter exactly what the routine looks like, but the more regular the routine, the faster your dog will settle in.

Like excitement, calm can be contagious. If you keep your cool, even when unsettling or annoying things happen, that will help your dog stay calm as well. Your dog also may benefit from calming pheromones, like an Adaptil electric diffuser, during this transition.

Give your dog his own “room.”

Living in a new place can be overwhelming. Dogs need a place to relax and decompress. You can use the confinement area for this.

If your dog decides on their own to go into the confinement area while you are home, leave them alone. If you want to interact with them, call them and see if they will leave their safe space to come to you. If not, they probably need a break.

10 Things You’ll Need For Your New Puppy

You’ve taken the plunge and you’re bringing a new dog home. While welcoming a new pup into your home is exciting, it also can be a little daunting at first—especially for first-time dog owners.

Any time you are bringing a new dog home, whether a puppy or an adult dog, it’s best to prepare ahead of time and get an idea of what to expect.

Here are 10 things first-time dog owners, or existing dog owners getting a second dog, can do to make the transition easier.