Congratulations on Your Dog Adoption!
Welcome to a New Family Member … Now What?
New Dog Supply List
Now that you’ve adopted a new dog – be sure you have all the necessary supplies to care for the new family member. The following is a list of basic items you should consider for your new family member to help get settled in their new home.
• Sept 2019 CDC Warning Pig Ears
• Dog Toys
• Dog Grooming Supplies
• Dog Collar, ID, Leash
• Dog Basic Training
• Heartworm Preventative
• Dog Crate Training
• Housebreaking
Food, Bowls and Treats
We recommend purchasing good quality dry food (Blue Buffalo, Pro Plan, Nutro, Eukanuba, or Science Diet) instead of less nutritional brands. These brands will have fewer preservatives with more essential nutrients for a longer and healthier life. Dry food will also keep your dog’s teeth cleaner than moist food. However, a few cans or pouches of moist food the first few days may be needed to help ease the stress of a new environment. Bowls should be ceramic or steel instead of plastic which retains bacteria. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times and refilled daily.
There are many kinds of treats available. Be sure to buy products made exclusively in the USA, as some treats made abroad have been recalled due to poisons or foreign matter in the treats; or they have chemicals that might cause your dog to become ill. This is especially true with rawhides.
Greenies biscuits are another good treat your dog may enjoy and they come in three sizes.
Sept 2019 – FDA, CDC warn dog owners not to buy pig ear treats or feed them to pets
Consumers and retailers are being advised to avoid any pig ear treats, which authorities say could sicken people and their pets.
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control are working with state agencies to investigate 127 human cases of salmonellosis related to several types of salmonella with a suspected link to the pet treats, some of which originated from Argentina and Brazil.
The CDC says people can get sick after handling the treats or caring for dogs that ate them. Dogs also can get sick after eating them, according to the agency.
Pet stores are being advised not to sell any pig ears – and to sanitize any shelves or other surfaces that might have the treats might have touched. The CDC is also asking distributors, importers, suppliers and wholesalers not to sell them.
Dog Toys
Tennis balls, Frisbees, Booda (cotton) bones and plain fleece toys are the best and least expensive choices. For chewing, Kongs and Nylabones will offer your dog an appropriate alternative.
However, stay away from toys with detachable pieces (buttons, etc.) which can be chewed off and swallowed. Quality playtime with your dog is crucial to its mental and emotional health.
Dog Grooming Supplies
Regular brushing helps remove loose, dead hair from the dog’s coat and reduces shedding. Be sure to use a brush designed for the hair length of your dog. If your dog requires grooming, get on a regular maintenance schedule.
Your dogs nails should be trimmed every 10-14 days to keep them blunt. We can show you the best method and tools to cut nails safely at home.
Dog Collar with ID Tag and Leash
When walking your new dog, be sure to buy an appropriate collar based on size. Small dogs should have both a collar with ID tag and a harness for walks as their necks are fragile and can be easily broken with slight resistance by the dog.
For dogs over 25 lbs, choose either nylon or leather collars. Make sure your dog wears a clearly legible tag with your phone number on it at all times.
Dog Travel Crate
A travel crate is essential for transporting your dog safely and comfortably.
There are two primary types: the soft side and the hard (plastic) carrier. Always make sure that your carrier is in good condition and all the screws or zippers are securely fastened before placing your dog in it.
Dog Basic Training
An excellent resource for dog issues are the following books: KISS Guide to Dog Care, Dogs/Puppies for Dummies, and The Everything Puppy/Dog. These inexpensive books are easy for everyone to read and understand.
Additionally, PetSmart offers a variety of classes ranging from the basic puppy class to tricks.
Dog Heartworm Preventative
If your dog is over six months of age, it has been tested for heartworms and been given heartworm preventative medicine.
Please be sure to purchase a monthly supply when you visit your veterinarian.
Dog Crate Training
Using a crate is a smart, safe, well-accepted and effective way to train your dog. Here are some facts to help you get started.
The crate should be large enough to allow your dog to stand up and turn around. For puppies, you can either start with a small crate and buy a larger one as it grows or buy a larger size and block off one end using a divider. You do not want your puppy in a crate that is too large or it will not help you in housebreaking. According to the American Veterinary Association, a dog can be left in a crate for one hour for each month it is old (up to 10 months/hours).
Some dogs are more willing than others to use the crate initially, but all dogs can be trained to use it willingly. Try using a treat or favorite toy to lure him/her in it. Only leave for short periods of time at first so your dog will learn that you will return soon. Some dogs will have to be physically placed in the crate at first, but most will catch on quickly. Even those who are less willing should only need guidance by their collar into the crate once they understand. A crate should NEVER be used as a method of punishment. If used improperly, the dog will learn to dislike the crate and think it is in trouble each time you have to use it.
If your dog barks or whines at first, a verbal reprimand or squirt from a water bottle will usually do the trick. Some dogs will be more comfortable in the same room as you and others will do better in a separate room. See which works best for your dog.
Housebreaking
IGNORE THEM AND REWARD SUCCESS!
The key to training your dog to eliminate outside (when and where you want it to) is to PREVENT accidents, and REWARD success.
Adult dogs have better bladder and bowel control and can “hold it” for a longer period of time than puppies.
The rule of thumb with puppies is to take its age in months, add one – and that’s the number of hours the puppy can “hold it” during the day. (So, a four-month-old puppy can be expected to “hold it” for up to five hours).
• Feed your dog on a schedule. It will eliminate on a schedule, too.
• Keep the diet simple and consistent (avoid table scraps and canned foods; a high quality dry kibble produces the least waste).
• Choose an outside area about 10 square feet where you want your dog to eliminate.
• Take your dog on a leash to the area, pace back and forth (movement promotes movement) and chant an encouraging phrase such as, “Do your business, do your business.”
• Do this for a maximum of three minutes.
If the dog eliminates, give it lots of praise and a treat. If the dog doesn’t eliminate, go back indoors keeping dog on leash with you or confined in a crate.
• Try again in an hour; eventually your dog will eliminate appropriately.
At that time, give lots of praise and playtime.
After each success, allow 15 minutes of freedom in the house before placing dog on lead or into crate.
After each three consecutive days of success, increase freedom by 15 minutes.
If there is an accident, decrease freedom by 15 minutes for three days.
IGNORE THEM AND REWARD SUCCESS!
Lost Paws Rescue of Texas serves North Texas in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties. Our mission is to prevent animal suffering, animal cruelty and to help educate the public about spaying and neutering their pets as well – as responsible pet ownership.
Since 2005, we have helped over 7000 homeless dogs and cats in the Dallas-Fort Worth area find permanent, loving forever homes. We have dog and cat adoptions weekly.