Since October is National Adopt-A-Dog Month, I will dedicate this column to the furry little guys we allow into our homes and into our hearts.
According to the ASPCA, around 5 million to 7 million pets enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Around 3 million to 4 million of them are euthanized because they don’t find homes in time. Sixty percent of those pets are dogs. While these statistics are painful to hear, they help us to realize the importance of adopting a dog from a shelter and, of course, getting a dog fixed.
I have compiled a list to help you if you are considering adopting a dog or puppy in the near future. A lot of these come from personal experience, as I brought a puppy home two months ago. She’s my first dog and we’re both still in the learning phase. I wish someone had given me a list of things to prepare for before I brought her home!
Prepping for puppy: If you didn’t already know, caring for a new puppy is a lot like taking care of a new baby. It takes time, patience and dedication. You should begin preparing for your new addition weeks in advance. Research the breed of dog you are bringing home and know its health risks, breed characteristics and prospective adult weight and size.
You should also allocate a space in your house for the puppy as well as an area outside where it can play. (Unless, of course, you have a Chihuahua like I do. Tiny dogs should not go outside unattended as they can easily become snacks for large birds or can quickly get out of sight.)
Consider purchasing a security gate to keep your dog away from dangerous areas like stairs or to keep it out of spaces you do not want it to go.
Don’t forget to get the obvious necessities, like food, a crate, water and food bowls, collar, leash and appropriate chew toys.
Treat the puppy like you would a child: Dogs can easily get into things they have no business getting into. You may want to invest in some child-proof locks for you cabinets to keep the dog out from under the kitchen sink and other places where you keep chemicals and cleaning supplies. If you have valuables or breakable items in low places, you may want to put up a child-safety gate to keep the dog from investigating and destroying them.
Take the bite out of the chew: Puppies have a tendency to chew on furniture, shoes and anything they can get their little razor-sharp teeth on. (My dog chewed up my iPhone charger and ruined it. Needless to say, I was not happy.) Spray pet-friendly bitter sprays on things you have low to the ground. It won’t hurt the dog, but it will taste awful and will discourage him or her from biting on that particular item.
Take caution with wires: Dogs easily injure themselves or destroy delicate electonics. Spray bitter-tasting spray on them too. You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper on wires to deter especially stubborn dogs from chewing. It doesn’t harm the dog, but it sure does teach it a good lesson about chewing on things it shouldn’t.
Pet hair and furniture: You may want to allocate a specific place on furniture for your dog to lie, especially if the dog is a big shedder. Invest in an especially soft, yet trendy pet bed to keep on the sofa for the dog. Lint rollers also work great for removing pet hair from furniture.
Hide the trash can: A hyper puppy can knock over a trash can and completely trash your house. (This is especially true for large-breed puppies.) You may want to hide the trash can or find some way to anchor it to the ground to prevent the dog from tipping it over.
Last but not least, be ready to fall in love with your new dog. Trust me, there is no better welcoming after a long day than to come home to something with a waggley tail and big brown eyes who is beyond excited to see you walk through the door.
•Contact Beth Thomas at bthomas@gwcommonwealth.com
