Adopting a dog can be a wonderful experience for everyone in the family. However, having a new dog in your home will be a responsibility that includes some safety precautions. The challenges of bringing a pet to your home will be multiplied if you have young children. Here are some safety tips to follow when you adopt a family dog.
1. Be Sure Your Children Are Old Enough
When deciding whether your family is ready for a dog, your children’s ages should be a significant factor. Statistics show the ability to reason typically appears by age five. According to Healthy Living, the maturity factor should help you decide whether your child is at the right age for you to get a dog. Children must understand the responsibilities and the precautions required to care for a pet.
2. Allow Your New Dog to Decompress
When dogs get to a new place, they need time to get used to their new settings. You may see signs of stress, like nervousness or pacing restlessly, or hear the dog whining at night. When your dog first comes to your home, they may hesitate to eat because they don’t feel comfortable with a new location. Your new pet will need time to settle into its new routine as well as time to get to know and trust you and your home.
3. Enroll Your Dog in Training Classes
Dogs don’t automatically behave in ways that we want them to, but training classes are available. Some pet stores will offer low-cost pet training classes. Training classes will not only help your dog to be obedient but allow them to interact in a friendly way with other people. Training is vital for dogs especially puppies, because about 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States.
4. Keep Your Dog Supervised When Unleashed Outside
While you and your dog are still getting used to each other, don’t let your dog free off its leash until you are confident it will return to you when you call. Dogs tend to crave freedom, and they will seek freedom as soon as they are freed unless training causes them to reign themselves in. In addition to the possibility of the dog getting lost, the dog might also be attacked by an animal with rabies. There are approximately 5,000 cases of rabies reported annually, so this is certainly something to be aware of!
5. Take Your Dog to a Veterinarian
Part of keeping your dog safe includes ensuring its health. Pet parents should bring their new dogs to a veterinarian within their first week at home. In addition to checking their health status, the vet will give them any needed shots. Developing a good relationship with a vet from the beginning of your pet’s time with you will help you feel sure there will be a reliable pet health expert available in case your dog gets sick or injured.
6. Ensure Your Pet Is Microchipped
If your dog wasn’t already microchipped, ask your veterinarian to microchip it. Once the dog is microchipped, it will be essential to notify the chip company of any changes in address or other contact information. In addition to the microchip, you should get a tag for your dog. If the dog gets lost, their chip won’t be visible but their tag will tell everyone where they live.
Adopting a family dog will bring your family plenty of fun and affection. However, being a pet parent will also mean you will be responsible for keeping your dog safe and healthy. Take care of providing your dog with training so that the dog will interact safely with people. Best wishes to your family when you adopt a family dog!