Having a trusted canine companion is one of the biggest joys in life. And if you are ready to welcome a pup into your home after much consideration, this is the perfect checklist for you. Before you get your pet, you need to do a lot of research and ensure you and your home are ready for the new family member. So, if you are first-time dog parents, here are all the things you need to keep in mind.

Related: 9 Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before You Adopt A Pet

1. Ensure you have enough space

Now this is something you need to take care of before you even think of getting a pup. One of the questions you need to ask yourself is, “Is my house big enough to accommodate a dog?” Because if you are living in a matchbox-type apartment and get yourself a Great Dane, it won’t be good for your pet or you.

2. Do you have the budget?

Much like kids, pets also need money to be cared for. With dogs, you won’t have to be worried about college and school tuition, but you definitely need to account for dog food, training fees, dog supplies like crates, collars, leashes, dog beds, and most importantly, a veterinarian. So, only get a dog if you have enough money to spend on everything that is needed to raise a healthy, well-loved pet.

3. Be patient

Having a pet is a lesson in patience. When you first get a pet, be prepared for some frustration, but the key is not letting your pup know you are frustrated. Much like kids, dogs also won’t get what’s right and wrong immediately. You need to teach them, and if they take a little longer to get it, be patient. While most dogs get potty trained pretty quickly, it’ll take a while for them to learn not to chew on your things or bite their humans. Use firm commands to train them patiently. And if you can’t be patient, either get yourself an already-trained adult dog or avoid getting a dog at all. And make sure to celebrate your pet’s small victories along the way to keep them motivated.

4. Be firm, but gentle

Discipline is an important thing that every first-time dog owner should pay attention to. Your dog needs to know what is allowed and what is not. It’s a good idea to reward good behaviour to motivate your pet to behave well at all times. And when they show bad behaviour, a sharp ‘no’ should be able to bring them back on track. NEVER physically abuse your dog and hit them. That’s pure cruelty.

5. Set up a routine

Be it feeding time, playtime, or exercise time, set a routine for your pet. This would let your pets know what they should expect and when. While adult dogs need to be fed twice a day, puppies need to be fed thrice a day. So, set up meal times that you can follow daily. This will also help regularise your pet’s digestion. Similarly, decide a time when they need to go out for a walk or they can enjoy playtime. Having a routine will make life easy for the pet as well as the pet parents.

6. Puppy-proof your home

When dogs go through their teething phase, they’ll chew on anything they can lay their eyes on. They will take an exploration trip through the house and chew on your favourite shoes, furniture, and other household items. Since they don’t know any better, your pups could end up accidentally hurting their gums or chewing furniture. So, keep anything that can hurt your pup out of reach and make sure your pup has enough sturdy chew toys to chew blissfully throughout their teething phase.

7. Find a good vet

One of the first things every pet parent should do as soon as they get a pup is to find a vet and take their pet for regular checkups. In the first year, the pup will have to be taken for regular weight and health checks to know if they are growing as they should be. You also need to set up a vaccination schedule for your pup. So, all first-time dog parents, make it a point to find a good vet for your pet.

8. Be active

Irrespective of whether you need exercise or not, your dog definitely needs it. A dog that lacks exercise will grow unhealthy, restless and maybe even destructive. They need daily workouts to help stimulate themselves mentally and physically. So, ensure you take your dog out for a walk every day for at least 15-20 minutes. Also, set some play time aside for your pet every day. Play and exercise time are some of the best ways you can bond with your pup.

9. Socialise your pup

It is important to socialise your dogs with other dogs and even your family and friends for their well-rounded development. They need to be introduced to new people, animals and new environments to help them adapt to different situations. This will also stop your pet from showing aggression towards strangers and help them grow more confident. This is one of the major things you need to remember as a first-time dog parent.

10. DON’T abandon your dog

Listen up, if you bring home a dog and then realise you don’t have the patience or the bandwidth for it, only to abandon your puppy, DON’T DO IT. Dogs are sensitive animals and they bond with their humans quite easily. So, if you have any doubts about getting a pet, just avoid getting one, instead of abandoning your pet.

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