Five Ways to get started on the right paw with your new dog

Adding a canine companion to the family? Getting off on the right paw is easier than you might think. Here are five simple things you can do to put a crimp in bad dog behaviors before they even happen.

1. Get a crate - a crate is one of the most useful tools you can have, especially when introducing an adult dog or a young puppy to a new home. Properly used, a crate is a safe haven for your dog and a phenomenal housetraining too. Here are some details on crates and here is some housetraining information.
2. Visit your vet – having your veterinarian perform an initial checkup, regardless of the documentation you have received with your new dog, is very important. Even though most rescues have a veterinarian perform a basic examination, update their vaccinations, and spay or neuter them if required, your vet needs to open a file and establish initial benchmarks for your new dog.
3. Get training – yes, this is a trainer’s blog, so stop looking surprised. Training not only provides or improves basic obedience, but also helps create a bond between you and your dog. Training should be be fun and playing games can establish critical lines of communication. Puppy training can be a great start to a wonderful relationship.
4. Get chipped – while you are at your vet, ask about getting your dog microchipped. (If he isn’t already.) The unexpected can happen to the even the most savvy of dog owners and a chip can mean the difference in bringing your dog home again.
5. Set boundaries – last and far from least, establish the rules before you bring your new family member home, make sure all of the humans are “on the same page” and enforce those rules from day one.

Of course, it’s not too late to take any or all of these steps if your dog has already joined the family. There are plenty more training tips on this site that might also find helpful.

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Related Posts

1. Establishing Boundaries
2. What are the most important things you can do for your puppy? Part 3 – Get a Crate!
3. Five Ways To Stop Your Dog From Jumping Up On People
4. Training With Treats
5. Crate Training