[caption id="attachment_47859" align="alignleft" width="166"] By Melissa Passaro[/caption]
October is National Adopt-a-Dog Month and because of that, there have been many adoption events hosted by local rescue organizations. If you are considering adoption, it is important to be prepared. Before you bring your new dog home, remember that he will be under a great amount of stress. You can help to alleviate some of this stress by preparing for the transition beforehand.
Before You Bring Your Dog Home:
· Dog-proof: It is important to dog-proof your house before you bring your dog home. This includes attending to loose cords, storing household chemicals, removing breakables, and installing baby gates.
· Assign a room: It is important to determine ahead of time which room your new dog will spend most of his time. I suggest a room that is easy to clean up because he will be stressed and may forget any housebreaking he has previously learned.
ID: Be sure to have an ID tag with your phone number on it as well as a good collar in case your new dog were to get loose when you first bring him home. If he has been previously microchipped, be sure to update information.
Leash: Keep you new dog on a leash when outdoors even if the yard is fenced. Since this is a new environment, he may still try to escape.
Crate: If you decide to crate your dog, make sure to have it set up before you bring your dog home.
It may take several weeks for your new dog to feel safe and secure in his new environment. If you take the time to prepare, the transition will be a smooth one. If you have never owned a dog before, there are several items that you may want to purchase ahead of time. For a list of supplies and other helpful information, click here. Your local shelter or rescue can be the perfect place to find your new companion. Since Braxton's is committed to the welfare of all animals and supports the efforts of animal shelters and rescue organizations, we encourage our customers to check out local animal rescue organizations when looking to add a new pet to your family. Click here to find a list of shelters and animal rescues in our area.
Upcoming Events:
Halloween Pet Photo Contest: Braxton's will be holding a Halloween Pet Photo Contest with voting to begin on October 28th. For more information on this contest, visit us on facebook or click here.
Photo Booth: Braxton's will host a charity Halloween Pet Photo Booth on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th. The cost is $10 and the proceeds benefit the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. All photos will be entered in our contest for a chance to win prizes.