When you are a pet owner, you need and want to give the best to your pet. And if you are a dog owner you know your dog is intelligent and needs stimulation, love and various accessories to help you manage their life. Like many other new dog owners you’ll likely be keen to get the right balance in care.

This means that you should not be limited to providing necessities such as food and shelter, but you also need to ensure that your dog feels cared for and loved. To help you ensure the overall well-being of your pet, below are some of the things that you need to have as a new dog owner.

New dog owners – Keeping dogs

Keeping dogs is a joy and a responsibility. you know as the dog owner you need to prepare your home and buy a number of items for the comfort of the dog and your convenience. This is especially true if your dog is young and new to your home.

Membership of a petsitting network like Housesit Match

New dog owners when planning the purchase of a puppy or adoption of a rescue dog often forget the to consider the costs of dog sitters or kennels. Any experienced pet owner will tell you just how much it adds up to, especially if you like to travel or go away on business fairly often.

So what can you do and what do you need to prepare for these costs? This is especially important for new dog owners who may not have much experience in finding suitable and affordable pet care or dog sitters

Find checked dogsitters

You need to join a petsitting and housesitting network like HousesitMatch.com to find suitable checked pet lovers to pet sit for you when you go away.

8 Must-have items for new dog owners

1. Collar or harness and leash

One of the primary things that new dog owners need is to get your dog is a collar, along with a harness or a leash. It is absolutely at the top or near the opt of items to sort and purchase. While you always have the option to carry your dog, going for a collar and a leash will prove to be more comfortable for both you and your pet.

However, the key is in getting a collar that fits your dog perfectly. You can even go for ones that feature a built-in GPS tracker that will make it easier for you to find your furry friend in case he manages to get lost during your escapades.

Leash or harness – New dog owners should consider both

In case your furry friend is not that comfortable wearing a collar for some reason, one option that you have is to fasten a harness on him. This is effective, particularly for smaller dogs as well as those that are quite anxious.

Compared to a collar, a harness is more breathable, allowing your dog to have more freedom to move. In this way, your walks will be much easier.

Along with a collar or a harness, you should also get your dog a leash. As much as possible, go for adjustable ones that are made from durable materials. If you are going for a leash with a fixed length, go for the ones that are between four and six feet long for you and your dog to have more flexibility during your walks.

2. Food and water bowls

Make sure that you get your dog a couple of washable food and water bowls before you bring them home. This is another classic faux pas that new dog owners make. These are not simply accessories, they are vital tools in use daily.

While most dog owners prefer those made from stainless steel materials, you can always go for ceramic, which is another good option. It will even be better to get the ones with a rubber bottom to keep your dog from pushing his meals farther away as he devours his food.

3. Choosing a dog bed

Like you, your dog needs a comfortable bed to sleep in too. For this reason, you need to choose a bed that will support the body of your dog. As a new dog owner you might need to do some thinking about your new dog and how fast they will grow and what they might need.

You can even go for ones that are made from memory foam, which proves to be beneficial in easing any joint pains that your dog may encounter after an active day.

There are also dog beds that feature a temperature control function to ensure that your dog is neither too hot nor too cold during the night.

4. Gate to help manage where your new dog goes in the house

New dog owners can be very protective, and that’s not a bad thing. You may want to confine your dog in a safe and secure place in your home, away from stairs where he may fall. Thus, make sure to secure the areas where your dog can stay with a durable gate.

This will also help you establish boundaries where your dog can and cannot go inside your home. Useful for dog training and especially for new dog owners as they learn to manage their newly adopted pet.

5. Dog crate

Many new dog owners buying a puppy, know they need to introduce him to his new surroundings. However, this can prove to be quite challenging and at some point, even stressful. This is where a crate is vital as it serves as a safe zone for your dog to retreat whenever he is feeling scared of unfamiliar places or people.

A crate is also an effective tool when you are potty training your dog.

Just keep in mind that the crate you should get for your dog should be big enough for his size. As much as possible, he should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down inside his crate.

Fortunately, you will be able to find adjustable crates that can expand in size as your dog gets bigger. You can even line the bottom of the crate with a nap mat to make your dog more comfortable inside.

6. Car seat cover

From time to time, you may find yourself traveling with your furry friend. In this case, your dog may need to ride in your car. Like many new dog owners you’ll really want to protect both care and puppy. This is where durable dog car seat covers come in, regardless of whether you have fabric or leather car seats.

However, to get the perfect one suitable to fit your needs, make sure that you identify the type of seat that needs covering such as the front, back, or bench. From there, choose ones that can easily be installed and taken off. You can even choose canine seat covers with foam padding that can offer a bit of protection in case of any accidents.

7. Poop bags

You need to pick up after your pet whenever you go out and this is where poop bags come in handy. You will also most likely need to have a steady supply of poop bags if you don’t have a yard. As much as possible, get poop bags that are biodegradable or earth-friendly to ensure that you are not adding to the earth’s toxic wastes.

8. Treats and toys

Few new dog owners need to be reminded to buy treats and toys. However, make sure that you get your dog appropriate treats and toys for training and getting to know your pup. It will help when spending time with your furry friend and you are learning about each other. Fortunately, there are various treats and toys for you to choose from.

When it comes to treats though, make sure that you go for the ones that double as protein supplements or teeth cleaners. On the other hand, when it comes to toys, opt for the ones that won’t compromise the safety and security of your pet.

Pet sitters?

You may be used to having the occasional petsitter come to your home to care for your pets. It is likely they charge you a fee. However, there are ways to manage your dog home boarding without it costing you the earth.

What is dog home boarding?

Dog home boarding is when you invite a live in dogsitter to come to your home and care for your pets in their own home.

What is a live in dogsitter!

If you have to go away from home and leave your behind for a work trip or a holiday, consider finding a live in dogsitter. What is a live in dogsitter?

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.

A final note for new dog owners

The things listed above are only some of the items that you need to get when you are a new dog owner. Some of the other items that may prove to be beneficial in rearing your pet include a dog brush and nail clipper, as well as dog shampoo and conditioner.

All these are geared towards ensuring that you foster the overall well-being of your pet while maintaining your sanity as well. As all pet owners know, if you nurture your pet and care for their well-being the chances are you’ll enjoy them for a many years to come.

Further reading on dogs, dog sitting with Housesitmatch for new dog owners

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 dog sitters about dogsitting.

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels

Top dogsitting tips for beginners

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

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

What is House Sitting?