Advice for New Dog Parents

Posted on October 2nd, 2022.

It’s always a good idea to welcome a new furry family member to your family; it’s never a bad time. With more than a million dogs in shelters all around America, it’s certainly karma positive to adopt a four-legged friend. If you’re adopting a puppy, however, there are so many things to look forward to, but also be aware of. It’s a wild ride from 6 weeks to two years.

The team at Fetch! Pet Care put together our list of best suggestions from our sitters and owners all over the country. We’d like to share this advice with our clients so you know you’re not alone and things always work out!

Tip #1 – Pay attention to your pup’s excitement level. Helping them remain calm, or calm down after they get excited, can prevent a lot of headaches as they learn and grow.

We’ve all seen it… Zoomies happen in all pets. They run around so crazy and excited that they literally don’t know what to do with themselves. On more than one occasion, we’ve seen dogs bash into walls and leave holes. Some pets knock things over and run down little kids. This can be very frustrating for you, and your pet.

Have enrichment, or “distraction toys” as some would say, are great to help re-direct your pet’s attention and to calm them down. They’re tools we can use to even teach our pets what they should do when they get over-excited.

Here are a few of our favorites: lick mats, KONGs, and a treat dispenser.

Pull these out when your pup gets overwhelmed and they’ll be good to go in about 15 minutes.

Tip #2 – S**t happens… Always be prepared for a number two no matter where you are!

We’ve all been there… We’re out on a walk, or taking a quick walk from the car into the office, and our pup decides to poop right where we don’t want them too. Now, we’re scrambling to find a Kroger bag or poop-bag alternative to be responsible for our pets. What we’ve learned? ALWAYS take a bag with you wherever you go!

Many of our Fetch! Franchises have poop-bag holders that we give to clients simply for convenience. They clip onto your pets leash or their harness and make it easy to keep poop bags with you no matter where you end up. Just don’t forget to refill it!

Tip #3 – Be ready for anything with your pet… We like to over prepare

Your dog is going to get their head stuck in the cat door, they’ll eat out of the trash more than once, and nothing will go according to plan. Do you have a brush to get the burrs out of their fur after that hike through the woods? Do you have plenty of treats to keep them entertained during that longer than expected Zoom meeting? Have you purchased a lidded trash can?

If your answer to any of the above was “No” then you’ve got a problem. It’s always best to be over-prepared for your pets shenanigans, especially when you’re in public. Like babies, your pup might need their own bag. For many dog parents, they’ve resorted to having things available in a few different places. Sometimes even in their desk drawers at work.

It’ll take a while for your pup to learn their lesson but you can prevent things from happening by being a prepared, and mindful, dog mom/dad.

Source: www.fetchpetcare.com