Excuse the cheesy title, but it's true, and a lot of families tend to buy pets as Christmas presents, especially for the little ones, you've seen it in the movies, the children take the lid of one of their presents and out pops this little head with a pretty red bow wrapped round it's collar, then everything is happy and perfect...But there comes a lot of responsibility when choosing to get a pet, whether it’s a puppy or an adult – there are of course many things to do to ensure they settle into home happily and healthily. A dog can however, be massively rewarding to the whole family.
Trying to convince Ben to let us get any kind of animal is a chore in itself but when that day does come (and it will!) I know that getting organised will be highly beneficial, as welcoming any newcomer into your home can be a busy and stressful time (can't be any harder than a newborn right?)... Here i've compiled a list of some of the most important things to do/consider when bringing your new friend home.
Let young children know what they can expect
It’s really important that the whole family are ready for this venture, especially younger members of the family. Speak to your children about what they can expect from life with a dog, and be sure to include details of how it is hard work as well as cuddles. Try and get them involved as much as possible when it comes to looking after the dog, as this will teach them valuable skills in terms of responsibility. If you've got a baby or toddler, it's super important to get them used to your new pet too, puppies are pretty excited all the time so it's good to introduce them slowly and calmly!
Ensure you have good quality food to give them a great diet
Giving a new puppy the best start in life in terms of a healthy one is the best gift you can give him. Or, maintaining an older dog’s healthy diet and giving them extra nutrients to help them is just as beneficial. Familiarise yourself with what your new pet can and can’t eat to avoid any catastrophes along the way.
Take him for a check-up at the vets
Even if he seems perfectly healthy, and the background check has come back clean, it’s really important to take them to the vet regularly, and to keep them up to date with vaccinations. Parasites like worms are also common in dogs, so treating your dog with a preventative from the beginning, like Drontal worming tablets from vet-medic.com, can be highly beneficial to all of you.
Create a routine for exercise
A great idea to avoid early morning arguments is to have a rota of who does the walking, and at what times. Take little ones with you too, to not only involve them in the responsibility of looking after an animal, but also for exercise for the family, especially if you've got a fussy baby one day, wrap them up in their pram and head out with the puppy, the fresh air will do you all the world of good!
Organise a place for him to sleep
And make sure that the rest of your home is ready to accommodate him fully. This could include installing a stair gate to limit where he can go in your home, and to keep him out of harm’s way. Choose a lovely, soft dog bed for him to snuggle down in too, after a long day of playing!
Purchase some toys to keep him active and happy
Don’t underestimate the power of a few toys and games to keep your dog happy and to help him settle into your home quickly. You don’t have to spend a fortune, and can even find good toys for your pet in pound stores. Things like balls, chew toys and soft toys will all go down a treat and will make you very popular. Just ensure you have an age appropriate item before giving it to him.
