Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Dog Beds
- Dog Bones
- Dog Collars
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Doghouses And Doors
- Pet Doors
- Pet Crates
Step1
Collect supplies for your new puppy or dog: a comfortable bed or crate, dog food and treats, food and water dishes, toys, a collar, a leash and an identification tag.
Step2
Dog-proof your home. Check and repair any damaged fencing, gates, doors, windows or screens. Place poisons out of reach, remembering to check behind the fridge for small objects or forgotten rat or mouse poison (see related eHow 'Protect Dogs and Cats From Household Dangers').
Step3
Pick up your puppy or dog at a time when you or someone else will be around the house for a couple of days.
Step4
Introduce the newcomer to other pets and family members, and then let him explore the house.
Step5
Supply a nice, plush bed or a cozy crate. Consider placing the bed or crate in an area where your new pet can keep an eye on you when he beds down.
Step6
Take your puppy outside to relieve himself after meals, after playtime, upon waking and, if necessary, every 15 minutes. Adult dogs can wait 2 hours or longer.
Step7
Listen for your puppy's cues that he needs to relieve himself in the middle of the night. It may take a while before he can sleep through the night without a potty break. Remember, it was your choice to get this puppy (see related eHow 'House-Train Your Puppy').
Step8
Play with your pet on and off throughout the day.
Step9
Take your pet to a veterinarian for a checkup and vaccinations as soon as possible.
Step10
Obtain a license from the proper agency (see related eHow 'License Your Dog').
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Confine the new dog into a single room area with a baby gate separating him from the others. This allows visual contact and the opportunity to sniff. Do this over the course of a few days, taking time to put him one on one with the others in the yard area - under your watchful eye for any body language which might signal trouble. In no time, he will find his place in the pack. I have done this with each new introduction of my five dogs, all males, and I have never had a problem. They all know of course that I am the alpha female and undisputed leader of the pack.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Every day while spending time with your new puppy, make sure you touch between the eyes, each of his feet, check in his mouth and in his ears.
This will help him be more comfortable with vet visits and visits to the dog groomer if needed!
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 If you have a smaller child and get a Jack Russell, be sure that your child knows the proper ways to handle the dog. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated by a Jack Russell and can cause the dog to become mean, snapping at the child or other family members.
Anonymous said
on 3/11/2006 Take your puppy around your property first. It is not likely that it will want to wander off just yet. Once it has finished exploring and has gotten used to the leash and commands (although the leash is a fun chew toy), try and get him/her to walk on the sidewalk with you. If the dog attempts to go into the street, say "no!" and firmly pull it back. Also: the dog will eat just about anything it finds on the side of the road (mine even ate feces and threw up), so if you see him/her suspiciously chewing something, open its mouth and find it.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Let the older dog nose around, but if they get uneasy or are getting ready for a brawl, do not let then duke it out. Stop the problem, or find the aggressor and spray them with a water bottle and eventually they will become friends.