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 Bringing Your Dog Home
First Purchases
You will need to visit your local pet store immediately to obtain some basic equipment.
- Dog food
- Dog dishes (food and water)
- Collar and leash
You should also consider purchasing a crate. See Pet Information Sheet for information on Crate Training.
Puppy Proof
Once you arrive home, you need to Puppy Proof your home or at least the area in your home that your dog will occupy. This is necessary even if you bring home an adult dog. You do not yet know what bad habits an adult dog may have or may develop in a new home. This is the same exercise as when you bring children into your home. This prevents accidents and eliminates your frustration. Harmful plants, electrical cords, medicines and cleaning items and breakable items need to be put away. Garbage cans and open windows without screens need to be secured.
 Location Location Location
Next you need to determine where your new dog is going to eat and sleep and eliminate. Remember your dog should have regular access to water. We recommend a crate for sleeping, naps and when left alone. Dogs are social animals and want to be a part of the family, so a good location for sleeping or a crate is the corner of the room where the family congregates. Watch where you dog settles after a brisk walk; this will give you an idea of a good location. It may be under the coffee table or behind the couch; but it is usually a covered space, out of the way of traffic, but close to the activity. If you do not want your dog to have free access to your whole house, use a baby gate. They come in many sizes and shapes to fit every location and budget.
Spending Time Outside
If your dog is going to be outside without you, you need to ensure you have proper (escape proof) fencing. This way your dog does not bother the neighbors and/or have a terrible accident. We do not generally adopt dogs to anyone who does not have a secure fenced area.
We do not recommend any dog spend most of its life outside alone. Dogs that spend time with the family are better mannered, develop fewer bad habits and are easier to train. We do not generally adopt a dog to anyone who plans to chain their dog. A dog on a chain that is not within a secure fenced area feels very vulnerable and may become aggressive. Dogs also can become tangled in a chain, unless an overhead cable or trolley is installed properly.
 Dog House
If your dog is going to spend a prolonged period of time outside, you need to purchase or build a dog house that provides them protection from the elements and a comfy place they can enjoy. A good location for a dog house allows your dog to see the activity in the street or other nearby activity.
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