There’s nothing more exciting than finally making the decision to add a new member to your family, especially if that new member has four paws. Pets are a great way to bring more joy into your life and give yourself a little extra responsibility, but they can also be a lot of responsibility, especially if you’re not prepared. Puppies, especially, need a lot of toys, exercise, and training before they can be the completely loveable companion they were meant to be. That’s why, in today’s post, we will discuss a few things you will need to do to prepare for bringing your puppy home!
Once you have your new pet, it’s important that you don’t neglect their health, and that’s where 911 VETs PriVET® can help! We know that getting your dog to and from a vet clinic in Las Angeles can be tough at times, which is why we’ve made it easy with our mobile vet clinic. Instead of packing your dog in the car and having to deal with vet office anxiety, we come to your home and perform all the tasks you need. Learn more about our mobile vet, and give us a call to schedule an appointment today!
Do Your Research
Before you even begin looking at dogs online, it’s important to do some research about the kind of dog you want to adopt. Different breeds will have different needs, and it’s best to adopt a dog that will complement your lifestyle. For example, if you are someone who is generally a homebody, you may not want to adopt a dog who generally has a lot of energy and needs long walks or hours at the park playing fetch to be happy. Additionally, you may also want to look into whether or not you want to adopt a puppy. As mentioned above, puppies take a lot of work and training before they are a perfectly well-behaved companion. If you’re not up to the challenge, or you are someone who isn’t home often enough to meet the needs of a puppy, it may be a better idea to adopt a dog that is older and possibly already has some training.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Once you’ve decided on the breed of the dog you want to adopt, the next step before bringing your new furball home is to puppy-proof the house. Think of it like this, before you bring home a newborn baby, it’s a good idea to baby-proof the house to make sure there aren’t any choking hazards or things that could potentially harm the baby. The same goes for dogs. Keep in mind that dogs are naturally curious, so it’s a good idea to go around your home and make sure there aren’t any loose cords or harmful foods that are within reach of your very curious pup.
Get All the Necessities
There are many things you need to do before your puppy can come home, but one of the most exciting things you get to do is shop for all the things your puppy will need. We recommend making a list of all the toys, treats, and accessories you will need to make your pup happy, and don’t be afraid to look online to see what good sources recommend. At the very least, you will need toys to keep your puppy entertained, a leash, food and water bowls, collar and ID tags, and a comfy bed for them to sleep in. That being said, you can never be too prepared for your pup, so don’t be afraid to go a little overboard when shopping for your new dog.
Prepare for Travel
When you finally get to bring your puppy home, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared for the trip. Depending on where you plan to go to adopt your pup, it could be a long car ride, and you need to make sure that you have all the essentials. We recommend preparing a:
- Crate or carrier
- Blanket or bed
- Collar and leash
- Water dish
- Wipes for possible clean-up
You never know how your pup is going to react in the car, especially if they’ve never been in one before. It’s a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for howling, barking, and other possible distractions when you bring your new dog home.
Schedule a Vet Appointment
Within the first week of bringing your pooch home, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet appointment to get your pup checked out and make sure they have all the necessary shots. Your pet’s health is of the utmost importance, and you never know what they may have caught or been exposed to.
Contact 911 VETs PriVET® Today!
Worried your new pup might get anxious at the vet? No problem! At 911 VETs PriVET® in Los Angeles, we come to you! Our mobile vet is designed to make the experience easier on both the owner and the pet, and we are proud to offer all the services you might find at a traditional clinic. Explore our website to learn more, and be sure to give us a call to schedule your puppy’s first vet appointment today!