Where's my room?

There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Lesson 2: Failing to make your home pet-friendly

“A cat without a proper litter box will just use the carpet and a dog without a cozy bed will end up on yours.”

Remy has decided the couch is cozy.

 

Pets need far less than children do when you bring them home but there are a few essentials to make your new family member feel at home.  A collar (or harness) and leash, food and water bowls, food, some toys and don't forget to order an identification tag right away.  Dogs are far less fussy than cats about where they relieve themselves, but do them the favor of regularly picking up the poop in the backyard.  Dogs also need spots where they can cuddle up and feel safe.  "A dog needs a crate like a teenager needs a room," says Dodman.  Provide a crate or a cozy bed, and make it taboo for your family to pester the dog while he's in it.  Some dogs like Dachshunds and Boston Terriers love to burrow so blankets in with a bed make them feel secure.

Max showing off his handsome harness

Pet stores have a wide variety of collars, harnesses and leashes available and the choices can be overwhelming.  The best thing is to understand a bit about your dog.  Some dogs do better with a harness if they pull hard when they walk; this prevents their airway from being closed.  Other dogs may only need a wide collar and a leash.  A bit of research about the dog and their breed can help you decide which you need. 

Before you buy pet food find out what the dog has been eating, rescue groups like CCBTR will send a week or two worth of food with the dogs to help the transition.  If you are going to change your dogs food do it by mixing it with the old food over a period of time to help their bodies adjust.  Dr. Jennifer Coates of Petmd.com recommends a five-day switch while others may recommend longer.  If your dog develops distress from changing foods see your vet and go back to the old food immediately.  Thankfully, water isn’t such a difficult transition, at any given moment, I have 2-4 dogs in my house so I use a 3-gallon water dispenser.  In the summer, I have bowls of ice and ice blocks filled with treats for them.

Is that all you got?

Don’t forget to get your new little one a few dog toys, avoid dog toys that look like people items such as slippers your new one can’t tell the difference between what’s ok and not ok to eat.  Balls, rope toys and nylon bones are the most popular toys and having a variety gives your dog multiple ways to burn off energy.  Beware of stuffed toys with squeakers, in my experience 15 minutes with those and your dog will give you Christmas indoors.

One other thing to consider is your home and yard; dog proof your home by getting down to their level in the house.  Look for cables or small objects that the dog may think are a chew toys, even some grown dogs will chew like puppies when they are nervous.  New situations may also result in dogs marking so you might want to consider baby gates and closed doors to limit their access to the house until everyone has settled in. Unlike me, many people have a green thumb and many plants in their yard.  Click here for a list of plants that are toxic & non-toxic to your dog.

Bringing home a dog doesn’t have to be stressful and can be a very exciting time for everyone.  Remember that this is a new situation where patience and a sense of humor go a long way.

Clyde says....

Check out CCBTR.org for a downloadable information handbook  to help owners and foster families provide a safe, secure and fun home environment for their dogs."