Things You Need To Do When Welcoming A Dog Into Your Family

Dogs are a great addition to any family. They are loyal friends who can bring endless hours of fun. Children and dogs in particular often create a special bond, which in turn teaches your child important lessons about caring for others and responsibility.

It’s important that you bring your new family member into your home in the right way so that you create a happy environment for everyone. Here are a few ways in how to do that.

Vaccinations and preventative care

When you are getting a dog, you need to ensure that they have had their vaccinations, and if they haven’t that you have booked them in to get them.

Vaccinations are essential for preventing illnesses that are not only life-threatening to your dog, but they are also costly to treat as well. It’s worth noting that many pet insurance policies are only valid if you stay up to date with vaccinations.

Not all vets will charge the same, and so it’s worth shopping around to find one that you like. Vets like easyvet.com offer affordable care because they are a small practice that don’t offer expensive things like surgeries, so they don’t need to account for this in the cost of smaller procedures.

Remain calm

The first day that you pick up your new dog, it’s important that you and your family remain calm. Your dog is being moved into an entirely new environment, and it will be very easy for them to become overwhelmed.

Cesar Millan recommends minimal interaction with your new dog while you walk them around the neighborhood and then the home on a leash. This allows them to start to acclimate to the new environment without becoming overwhelmed. You can then show them their bed, where they are likely to retreat to, as they will probably need a break.

Give them space

When introducing dogs to members of the family, it is best to give them space, and where possible, to allow the dog to come up to the family member rather than the other way around.

You should also ensure that the dog can clearly see anyone approaching them, so it’s best to approach from the side. Ensure that your dog always has a clear path back to their bed so that if they begin to feel overwhelmed, they can return to somewhere they feel safe.

It’s also a good idea to avoid giving treats or toys at the first meeting, as this can cause dogs to become excited, and they may nip as a result. Toys and treats can be introduced gradually once the initial excitement of the first meeting has worn off.

Introducing a dog to the family can be a slow process, but once they are comfortable with you, they will be your friend for life!

Teach children how to pet gently

Children can sometimes be a little rough when petting animals, perhaps pushing too hard, squeezing, or pulling at their hair. As this hurts them, it’s possible that it will result in a snap as the dog tries to escape.

To avoid this, it’s really important that you teach your child to be gentle when petting your new dog.

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