Bringing a dog home can be a major decision for your family and the canine. Oftentimes, dogs find it difficult to adjust to their new environment. Prior to moving your dog into your home, you should take several steps to help your furry friend avoid stress and anxiety. Here are some tips from Petaluma dog boarding experts Bridewell Hilltop to help your pooch feel welcomed and loved in its new home.

Grab the Right Supplies

If you are adopting a dog, you may want to find out if they have a toy, sleep arrangement, or food that they are accustomed to. Keeping a few things consistent with your dog’s past will help it feel secure in a new environment. Before you bring your dog home, try and get familiar items that will help them feel welcome and comfortable in your home. These items will help improve your dog’s daily life.

Set up Your Dog’s Space

Your home will be your dog’s new territory. The canine’s unfamiliarity with its new territory can cause anxiety giving rise to weird or unusual behavior. To prevent this from happening, set up a space for your furry friend where it can feel secure and comfortable. If you want to train your dog, create its special place in the dog crate. To help your pooch relax, leave an old piece of clothing or its favorite toy in the crate.

Dog-Proof Your Home

Dogs are curious. They love using their sense of smell to explore and perceive the world around them. Sometimes their curiosity can get the better of them. To help your furry friend safely explore your home, you need to dog-proof it.

• Store medicines, shampoo and conditioner bottles, toxic items such as cleaning supplies, and hot air tools in a safe place where your dog cannot access them.
• Keep small items such as jewelry and shoes out of your dog’s reach. Regularly empty your trash.
• Secure drawers and cabinets and garbage.
• Block exits and fireplace.
• Keep dangling cords out of your pet’s reach.
• Avoid using pesticides with toxic chemicals in your backyard.
• Use a pool cover.
• Store hazardous materials such as lighter fluid, gasoline, oil, and antifreeze in your garage in a safe place where your furry friend cannot reach.

Spend Time with Your Dog

Dogs, like humans, are social creatures. They crave attention and can get depressed or anxious when they don’t get enough of it. Make spending time with your dog a priority, not an afterthought. To help your furry friend grow more comfortable with people around it, take it on walks. To connect with your pooch on an emotional level, groom it yourself. Make it a point to take them out and about frequently, this helps your furry friend feel like they are a part of your life.

Want to show your dog some love? Bridewell Hilltop would be happy to help. We are one of the most sought-after dog boarding facilities in Petaluma. We are avid animal lovers. Our staff will treat your furry friend like royalty while you are away. To learn more about our services, call us at (415) 897-5471.