When you finally find your new dog and you become a new pet owner the responsibility of caring for your animal can be a challenge at first.  Worry not new dog owner here’s how to care for your furry friend. We offer you some starter points in this short article to help you get started. It’s a step by step of what to do to prepare and how to care for your new dog.

Now that you’ve decided to be responsible for the well-being of another life, you’ll realize that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. You’ll mess it up and your little furry companion will bring about drastic changes in your life. A lot of them are neither pleasant nor convenient. But once you’ll get the hang of it and develop your own routine, you won’t remember how you lived your life without your four-legged friend.

Here are some of the things you’ll want to know if you’re a new dog owner:

1. Get to know your companion

Regardless of whether you’re getting an adult dog or a puppy, you must always be prepared for when they arrive. You’ll have to be patient with them because there will be an adjustment curve when they come to your home. So it’s advisable to read up about the type of dog you’ll want to bring home. Different breeds will have different tendencies and requirements. It pays to get ahead. And if you have a puppy then you will need to check out a guide to puppy training.

The genuine dog lovers who write for the Woof Bark Growl dog website will give you valuable insights about dog breeds and other relevant information about caring. Whatever the breed is you’ll have to accept them as they are because dogs react differently in a new place. Knowing their breed is not enough. You’ll have to get to know them individually and their unique characteristics.  

2. Get the right food and supplies

Feeding dogs and the importance of dog nutrition

Dogs will have different nutritional needs, based on a lot of factors. As a new dog owner, it’s important that you get the right food for them to keep them at their best and prevent illnesses. As with all living creatures, food is the foundation of overall health. So make sure you feed them accordingly, you can consult with your veterinarian for guidance.

You will also need to procure the appropriate pet equipment and toys for your new dog. It’s hard to tell which of the toys he’ll play with so you can get a couple of variations to be sure. You’ll also need to prepare his bed, bath, and food bowl. It’ll be like shopping for a new baby so it can be very exciting.  

3. Finding a vet

The vet is one of the most important people in your dog’s life.  Make sure you find a great one that you trust. As a new dog owner, they will help you raise your dog by giving you advice about the health and diet of your dog. If you have a puppy, you’re going to have frequent visits to the vet so you’ll have to consider the distance of the clinic from your house. You’ll also have to look into his or her staff because they’ll be the ones taking care of your dog when they’re out. Establishing a good line of communication with your vet is essential, especially in emergency situations when you’ll be administering first aid measures.

Don’t expect your dog to be always in perfect health so you should also prepare yourself with visits to the doctor and hearing about your dog’s health issues. Don’t get overwhelmed if you hear about something wrong, and just make sure you give your dog the proper care it deserves.

4. Basic training for the dog and the new dog owner

Your dog will most probably come without any form of training at all. So make sure they understand that your house is not their bathroom. It requires consistency and patience, but they’ll learn and it’ll be easier then. To avoid accidents in the house, limit their spaces into pens, especially when you’re not around. If you’re at home take them outside the pen and reward them with treats if they do their business outside. You can also put potty pads in their pen when they need to go and you’re not around.  It’s important you involve any children in the house in the training to ensure the training is reinforced by all in the household.

5. Pet sitters at home are a comfort to you and your pet

Actually, a pet sitter is a friend on demand. They are available whenever you need professional service. A sitter is always at a one-call distance from your threshold. So, even if your absence was not planned beforehand, you still can give your pet all the necessary care within an hour.

Additionally, pet sitters might do other services for you after a short negotiation. For example, they could keep your house clear, groom your pet, buy foods to bring to your fridge, and simply control your dwelling. Like, you won’t flood neighbours by accident, and your dog won’t disturb them with barking in the evening, too.

A dog sitter that comes to your house

What is a dog sit?

A dog sit is when a dogsitter comes to your home to care for your pets as a temporary arrangement. Some are free dogsitters others are professional pet sitters. Either way their role is to care for your pet, in their own home.

Free housesitters

This could be part of a housesitting assignment with the free housesitters or in a professional arrangement with a pet sitter.

Professional pet sitters

If you are paying for pet sitters remember to check out the going rate for a pet sitter in your location. Also check that they have full insurance and pet first aid training and client reviews for you to check.

A live in dog sitter gives peace of mind

Knowing you have chosen your dogsitter and that they are staying with your pet dogs can help you relax. It can help if you know what to look for in an ideal petsitter. Some of the main characteristics of great live in petsitters include:

• Flexible
• Calm
• Trustworthy
• Experienced
• Reliable
• Loves animals, especially dogs!

Holiday dog sitters are helpful

Make your own list of the ideal characteristics of your live in petsitter. Finding a housesitter who loves dog sitting is a great start. Then use a housesitting website like Housesitmatch to place and advert and interview the applicants.

Prepare the pet sitter you have chosen by talking through your brief, and the pet care needed. Make sure they can come to stay at least one or two days before you leave. This will help the sitter get to know the pets and vice versa. You can also spend a little time going through the 24 hour cycle of home and pet care routines.

Dog stays home where all is familiar to the dog

The fact that the petsitter will be looking after your dog means the dog can stay at home. This is less stressful for the dog. Some dogs get separation anxiety when you leave home, or if they leave home for an extended period. Staying in their own space, with their own bed means that their living space stays the same. This can be important. It makes a live in dogsitter a great alternative to dog kennels.

The live in dogsitter is also a housesitter – Yay!

And here’s the piece de resistance. The live in house and dog sitter will also be able to help you keep your home running smoothly while you are away. So the dogsitter, also a housesitter, can mow the lawn, clean the house, collect the mail and any parcels. Most importantly they will keep the home looking occupied and secure. And most importantly they will be in house entertainment and a resident friend for your dog.

Be Responsible and Stay Committed

This is very important as all of the things mentioned previously won’t mean a thing if you yourself can’t keep it together. You will be responsible for another life and their well-being lies entirely on what you do. So if you’re thinking about adopting a dog, make sure you understand first the changes and responsibilities that come with having a furry companion.

Don’t be one of those heartless people who abandons their dogs because they didn’t turn out the way they wanted them to be. Your dog’s life and behaviour is a reflection on the kind of new dog owner you are to them.

Final word on being a new dog owner and how to care for your pet

There are still some things you’ll pick up along the way, but the ones discussed are essential. Taking care of a dog will be one of the most fulfilling things you’ll ever do. They’ll see you as their world and their everything, they’ll be the most excited family members to see you as you walk up the front door. They’ll be there for you in your loneliest moments, without words just their unwavering presence and it’ll be enough. Your furry friend will be your true friend to the end.

Further reading about dogs, dogsitting with Housesitmatch

At Housesitmatch.com we always try to share useful and informative blogs and practical advice with our members. Read on to find some helpful articles with useful tips for dog owners and dogsitters about dogsitting.

Dogowner’s tips – In ground or wireless dog fence?

Top dogsitting tips for beginners

Dog sit – What is it and where can you go?

Dogsitters’ tips – Dog’s body language and how to read it