If you are thinking about a dog adoption in San Diego, there are a number of things you will need to do in advance. The purpose of this post is to educate you on the first steps you have to take before you bring the new dog home.
Understand your lifestyle
Caring for a dog is a full time job. It is more like having a newborn baby. You have to feed, groom, exercise and protect him for the rest of his life. The area that is more demanding is on exercising. Some dog breeds need to be exercised at least twice a day. This can be hard if you work full time and don’t have anybody to care for the dog while you are away. When deciding on the dog breed to go with in a puppy adoption, you need to consider your lifestyle keenly. Pick a dog that fits in both your lifestyle and household. The team at the animal shelter will be happy to point you to the best dog breed based on your lifestyle. Don’t forget to do your own research.
Dog proof your house
Another very important thing you will need to do is to dog proof your home. You don’t want the dog to get in your closet or get electrocuted biting on exposed electric cables. Get rid of all the things that might be hazardous to the dog.
Get the essential supplies
Buying the dog supplies is something you need to do before you bring a dog home from the shelter. Buy the supplies after identifying the dog that you want to bring home. If you are opting for a puppy rescue in San Diego, you will have to buy supplies that are ideal for puppies. The essentials that you need to purchase include the following:
- Dog bed and crate
- Dog toys
- High quality dog food
- Food and water bowls
- Dog collar and leash
Find a vet
You also need to find a vet in your area. Your dog will need regular checkups. Find a vet that is close to your home. You also need to find a 24 hour emergency animal hospital.
Make plans for training
Training should start immediately after bringing your dog home. The longer you wait to train your dog the harder it will be to get rid of the bad behaviors. Before the final step of a dog rescue, you need to get dog training materials. You will find numerous resources online. You also need to get healthy treats to use during training.
As much as it is exciting to get a dog, it is a full time commitment. Make sure you are ready to care for a dog for the rest of its life before proceeding.