Essential Newbie Guide: How to Adjust Your New Dog at H

Before bringing a dog into our home, it's essential to prepare a range of essential items to ensure their comfort and wellbeing. These include a dog crate, food, feeding bowls, toys, disinfectant, grooming brushes, and a leash. Pay particular attention to the food; it's crucial to maintain consistency with what the dog was eating at the kennel. It's best to ask the breeder to provide a bag of the dog's current food, as this can greatly facilitate the transition to a new environment.

Four Basic Principles to Remember When Your New Dog Arrives at Home

1. Avoid Bathing Immediately: It's a common misconception that the first thing to do upon bringing a dog home is to bathe it to remove any dirt or odor. However, after a long journey, dogs can be quite exhausted and their immune systems may be weakened. Bathing can pose significant risks to the dog. It's best to wait until the dog has settled in before giving it a bath.

2. Provide Adequate Hydration: Upon arrival, offer the dog a small amount of warm water. To help prevent any digestive issues, you can add a small amount of sulfate neomycin granules or a probiotic like Mamila, Simeta, or similar to the water. This can help regulate the dog's digestive system and prevent acute gastroenteritis or other intestinal diseases. Continue this routine for about five days, feeding the mixture two to three times a day.

3. Focus on Rest: It's natural to be excited to explore with your new dog and introduce them to their new surroundings. However, dogs may experience a period of adjustment. It's best to let them rest for a few days before gradually introducing them to exercise. Typically, dogs are not very interested in moving around for the first three days. So, allowing them to rest is the most appropriate approach initially.

4. Do Not Feed Immediately: Some owners may worry about their dog being hungry and immediately offer food and treats. However, this can actually be harmful. If the dog's travel time was not excessively long, it's advisable not to feed them for the first two days. Let them rest and go without food, then start feeding them the next day. This can help prevent digestive upset and ensure a smoother transition.