You’ve signed the adoption papers– now what? It’s time to welcome your new dog into your family! If you’re a first-time dog owner, then we realize that may mean you have a lot of questions. That’s normal! We’re here to help guide you through some of the basics of this process and how you can help your new best fur-riend get comfortable as a part of your family.

1. Get your home ready.

That’s right, your preparation starts before you even bring your new furry friend home! Make sure your home is ready for them. This may start with cleaning and tidying up, but there’s even more to consider. To start, make sure your current pets are up-to-date with their shots. Then, you’ll want to establish a specific space in your home for your dog– often times, this will be where you’ll want to keep a pet bed, crate, toys, and maybe even their food and water supply. If you’re adopting a puppy, you’ll also want to puppy-proof your home, hiding away anything that they may be able to reach or destroy. You’ll also want to ensure you know what house rules you want the dogs to abide by, so that you can start with them right away.

2. Buy any necessary supplies.

It may not come as a surprise that you’ll need to make a trip to the store for your new dog. We recommend getting this part done before trying to bring it home! Your first trip to the store should include things like: food, a collar and leash, food and water bowls, a dog bed and crate, poop bags, treats, and some toys. These items will help you move seamlessly into dog ownership, with the ability to help make your dog comfortable.

3. Bring your new dog home and introduce them to your space!

It’s best to bring your new dog home on a day that you have free, so that you can take some time to make them feel comfortable. They may want to explore their new surroundings and meet their new friends – make sure you’re there to accompany them, especially while meeting the rest of your family and any other pets you may have. Now is the right time to start implementing those house rules you’ve created! This will help avoid confusion for your dog later on.

4. Visit the vet.

Set up a vet appointment, preferably right away! This will establish someone to help with your pet’s healthcare, which is a crucial responsibility of dog ownership. The first visit will include some important discussions, including vaccinations, spaying or neutering, microchipping, and parasite prevention for fleas, ticks, mosquitos and heartworms.

5. Give your new family member plenty of time to adjust.

Your dog will need time and understanding while it’s getting used to its new home. Your new dog may want some space if it’s nervous or uncertain about it’s new life and it’s important that you be patient. When we adopt a dog, we don’t always know what their lives were like before us. In any case, a new home is a big adjustment and they may need plenty of extra sleep to ease the stress. You may also notice potty accidents, even if your dog is trained to go outside. Try to be understanding and focus on helping your dog get feel truly at home.

If you have any more questions, you can contact us through our pet paw-rent hotline! Give us a call at 520-276-7453 or learn more about this service here: https://friendsofdogstucson.org/get-help/