Top 10 Tips You Should Know Before Bringing A New Dog Home

We agree that “Your first few days together are an especially critical time…Use the time to teach your new pet rules and break some bad habits.”

Here are their Top 10 Tips:

1. Do your research! Plan training your puppy or new dog in advance.
2. Get the bowl, brushes, collars and leash ready. See Dove’s recommendations on leashes, harnesses, and collars.
3. Make sure you dog has at least at ID tag.
4. Be consistent with commands, boundaries and training.
5. Plan to walk your dog at least once a day.
6. Don’t encourage your dog to jump up on people. “Give praise and attention once all four paws are on the floor.”
7. Have chew toys available.
8. Store tempting food safely away from your dog. Dove gives some tips in the training program to make sure your dog does not grab a snack from the table.
9. Housebreaking do’s and don’ts. Dove has an extensive section on puppy housebreaking.
10. “Correct and re-direct bad behaviour, but always remember to praise when he does something good.”