Many people are buying dogs during the coronavirus pandemic, and it is easy to see why as they are such great companions and now could be a great time to own one with people spending more time at home. While having a dog can certainly improve your life during a challenging time like this and help with mental health, it is also important that people are aware of the responsibility that they are taking on and understand that this is a big commitment to make. Here are a few basic tips for new dog owners, which will hopefully come in useful.
1. Get Admin Arranged Immediately
It is important to take care of all of the admin and documentation immediately so that everything is in place once you bring the dog home. This will include:
2. Buy Everything You Need in Advance
You also need to buy everything that you need in advance - much like when you bring a newborn home, it can get chaotic very quickly, and you will want everything available to you. This will include:
3. Make Training A Priority
Following this, you need to make sure that training is a priority as it can be very hard to improve obedience as the dog gets older (you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!). Obviously, this is a bit more challenging during the pandemic, but there will be online classes and information that you can read, which should help you to start training your new dog.
4. Introduce Them to Other Dogs
Leading on from this, it is a good idea to introduce your new dog to others as soon as possible so that they can learn to socialize. The best way to do this in the current situation is while out on walks, but you may also have friends who have dogs that you can introduce them to.
5. Create an Outdoor Space
You need to have a suitable outdoor space if you plan on having a dog so that they can have somewhere to go to the toilet, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise. Is artificial turf safe for pets is a common question with new dog owners as artificial turf can bring several benefits for pet owners, such as minimal upkeep. Studies show that artificial turf does not pose a large health concern, but you should always buy from sustainable artificial turf specialists.
6. Learn About Your Breed
While general advice is helpful for new dog owners, it is also important that you understand that every breed is different, so you need to learn all about your specific breed. The internet is a great resource for this, and there are sure to be communities that you can join where you can learn, ask questions, and much more.
Now it can be a great time to buy a dog, but you need to make sure that it is the right decision and understand that this is a huge commitment to make. Hopefully, these tips will help new dog owners to get used to life with their new furry friend.
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