Is there anything better than coming home after a long day of work or
school and getting greeted by your excited dog? If you agree, you aren't the
only American that thinks so. The American Veterinary Medical Association did a
survey on pet ownership in the country. They found that 36.5% of the people
they surveyed owned a dog – that amounts to about 43.3 million
dogs in the country!
If you've been looking at pitbulls
for sale because you're ready to have a new dog for the family, you'll need to be
properly prepared. Having water, food, and a comfortable bed is a nice start,
but if you want your pup to get used to its surroundings you'll need to do more
than that. If you want your dog and family to live happily, make sure to read
up on these tips from Iron King Kennels before you bring your dog home.
Make a quiet
corner
When your dog comes home to meet your family, it's going to be getting
used to a lot of new people, sights, and smells. It can be very exciting and
fun for them, but it can also be over-stimulating and overwhelming. Determine
where you believe your dog will spend most of their time, and designate that as
the quiet corner. It should (ideally) be located in a traffic-free spot away
from things, and should have some comfortable blankets or a bed for your dog to
nap on. When it seems like they're getting a bit too listless or a little
cranky, take them to their special place and let them relax.
Learn about
their usual schedule
Sometimes, the easiest transition to a new home involves being reminded
of the old home for a bit. Be sure to learn when the dog was usually fed and
walked, and try to keep with that schedule as much as possible. If you need to
adjust that, ease them into your schedule after the first week. They'll get
used to it with a small amount of time and patience.
Start
training
After you've gotten the all-clear from your vet on vaccinations, it's time
to start training your dog. If you're a previous dog owner you may think you
already know how to train this dog, but it's always helpful to brush up on your
skills. You could learn newer and more effective methods for training, and can
start socializing them with other dogs at the same time.
Be patient
Your dog may not be as playful or as friendly as you originally imagined,
but you need to keep in mind that the first few weeks are an adjustment period
for your dog. They're trying their best to get used to a new environment, and
many trainers and seasoned owners think that you really see a dog's true
personality emerge after the first few weeks. After a few weeks of care, love,
and play, you'll be amazed at happy and friendly your dog can be!
If you need to know more about how to prepare for your newest family
member, call or contact us at Iron King
Kennels today!
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