You’ll definitely want to know these awesome dog facts before you bring your new furry family member home!
Dog fact 1: Dogs LOVE to work for their food
Working for their food keeps a dog’s body and brain busy and happy - so consider skipping the traditional food bowl and instead use a ‘slow feed’ bowl, puzzle, or food maze at feeding time.
Invest in a strong food bowl and non-tip water bowls for inside and out, so your dog always has access to fresh clean water. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are hygienic and long-lasting.
Dog fact 2: Puppies have magical bed-exploding powers!
Your bed choice depends not only on your dog’s size but also their age. Older dogs need a comfortable but firm surface, puppies love to chew, so need a bed that won’t rip easily!
Dog fact 3: Some harnesses can turn your dog into a super-powered husky
Well, not literally! But not all harnesses are created equal - a ‘front-attach harness’ (where the lead is clipped onto a ring on the chest) helps to prevent dogs from pulling, so is ideal for dogs learning to walk nicely on lead. A harness that attaches with a ring at the back (on the top between the shoulders) encourages pulling - great for a team of huskies, but maybe not so great for regular walkies!
Dog fact 4: You can trick your dog into thinking old toys are new
Rotate your dog's toys to keep your dog’s interest at its peak. If you have 8-10 toys in total, have 3-4 toys out at a time, and rotate weekly. They will seem like new toys to your dog!
Have some toys to play with when you aren’t there, and toys to play with together! Enrichment toys like treat balls and puzzles are great to keep your new pup or dog happy and busy, especially during times when you aren’t there. Always supervise your pet with new toys to make sure they use them safely before leaving them alone with it.
Dog fact 5: Dogs love radio
If you are heading out for a period of time, it’s a great idea to take your dog for a walk beforehand to tire them out. That way, they are more likely to snooze the day away rather than get into mischief. You can also leave your dog with a treat-dispensing toy, or hide some treats around your home/yard for a delicious game of hide-and-seek. And putting the radio on can have a really calming effect for dogs that worry when you are away!
Dog fact 6: This is what it really means when your dog tries to get out the door before you...
Forget outdated ‘pack’ and ‘dominance’ myths - these have been proven false. Dogs aren’t trying to dominate when they try to get out the front door first - they are just excited to go walkies! Dogs don’t need to be dominated by a ‘pack leader’ - they are just looking for kind and consistent guidance on how to be the goodest good dog they can be.
Dog fact 7: Your new dog may not realise your backyard is also THEIR backyard!
If you spend most of your time hanging out inside with your new dog on your first weekend together, your dog may get confused and distressed if, come Monday morning, they are locked outside while you go to work.
Spending quality time with your new pooch both inside and outside will help your dog feel happy and secure in ALL parts of their wonderful new home.
Your dog’s home - what next?
Get your essentials in order, so you can get on with all the fun stuff!
Get your paperwork in order
Make sure you have your dog’s vaccination certificate, desexing certificate, adoption records and vet records from your rescue organisation - you’ll need these when arranging council registration, as well as training classes and pet boarding.
Locate your closest emergency vet clinic
And be sure to save the details in your phone! As well as your regular vet, it’s important to know where your closest emergency vet clinic is. Dogs can swallow foreign objects, get injured while playing, or illness can strike, and it helps to cope in an emergency situation if you already know who to call and where to go!
Change your dog’s microchip details
Once you have officially adopted your new dog, you will need to ensure that the microchip details are moved to your name. The rescue group will have the relevant paperwork, including the name of the microchip registry, so be sure to get in contact with them if you have not yet received these details.
Register your dog with your local council
In most areas, it’s a legal requirement to register your dog with the council. Call your council and find out how their registration process works. Councils give discounts for desexed and vaccinated pets, so as well as being the ethical choice, adopting a rescue pet is a money saver!
Introduce your dog to your neighbours
If your dog gets out in those first few days or is barking when you’re away, having neighbours who understand and are sympathetic can be a great help in overcoming initial problems.
Training
Dogs love to do dog things - like digging, barking, and jumping. But if you don’t like these behaviours, it’s your job to teach your dog what to do instead! Find a great trainer who uses positive (force-free and fear-free) training methods, or even jump on the internet to get some tips and advice.
Have fun
Remember the most important thing of all - dogs are awesome - so enjoy your new furry family member. Wishing you a lifetime of love, walkies and cuddles together!
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