More
Welcome Home: The New Dog Guide
Whether it’s a puppy or adult dog, your newest family member will come with questions. Use this guide to start finding answers—and make dog parenting less overwhelming and more fulfilling.
1. Feed Them Right
Regardless if it’s dry, wet, fresh or raw, your dog’s food should have the right balance of proteins and nutrients based on their life stage, breed, activity level, weight and health conditions.
Dogs, like people, have health issues and food allergies. That’s why there are special formula foods that help support muscle tone, hip and joint, skin and coat, vision, heart health, weight management and more.
How to Choose the Right Adult Dog Food
Talk With Your Veterinarian
By evaluating your dog’s health and body composition, a veterinarian can recommend what to feed them, how much and when. They can also suggest or even prescribe special formula food for different health conditions.
Know the Different Types of Food
For most dogs, choosing between dry and wet food is a matter of personal preference. Raw, fresh, fresh frozen and freeze-dried foods are minimally processed, so they retain more of their original proteins and nutrients.
Consider Your Dog's Breed Size
Smaller dogs usually have higher metabolism rates, so look for food that accounts for their higher caloric needs. On the flip side, the metabolism of larger dogs tends to be slower so their food has lower caloric requirements.
Gradually Transition to New Food
Changes in diet can cause digestive issues like diarrhea. If you want to switch your dog’s food, mix small amounts of the new food with their current one, increasing the ratio over 5–7 days until the transition is complete.
2. Create a Safe Space
Dogs have a natural instinct to “den,” i.e., shelter to a safe place where they can feel secure, especially if they’re tired or scared. A dog crate serves that role. To make it feel like a true refuge:
- Put a comfortable dog bed or mat in their crate.
- Never use the crate to punish your dog.
- Make sure there’s room for them to stand up and turn around.
- Add some toys to their crate.
Benefits of a Dog Crate
Helps Rescues Adapt to Their New Home
A shelter dog may not be used to having their own space and that can be stressful. Crates can provide a sense of comfort while they adjust to their new environment. And having less territory to protect also helps dogs relax.
Good for Housebreaking & Behavior Management
Dogs don’t like to go potty where they sleep. Crates can help housebreak a dog by teaching them bladder control. A crate can also discourage destructive behavior by giving your dog a place to decompress and relax.
Promotes Relaxation
Crates can help make situations like fireworks or thunderstorms less scary. To reinforce the crate as your dog’s private refuge, leave the crate door open whenever you’re at home so they can come and go as they please.
Makes Traveling Easier
For longer road trips and even flights, travel crates are invaluable. They’re a safe space where your dog can lie down and sleep when they’re in a new, unfamiliar place. Plus, your dog becomes less of a distraction as you drive.
3. Training
Dog training goes beyond nurturing good behavior.
It builds trust between you and your new dog while creating boundaries that’ll help keep your pup safe. The basic commands they should first learn include “sit,” “come,” “stay” and “leave it.”
Positive reinforcement is the key to training. At the same time, punishing them can be counterproductive and confuse your dog.
How to Reinforce Dog Training
Reward Good Behavior
One of the keys to training is teaching them to like being praised. Training treats and toys can help. Use a clicker before rewarding them so your dog associates the sound with doing what’s asked of them.
Don’t Overwhelm Them
You want your dog to enjoy being trained. Try to limit each training session to 5–10 minutes and keep distractions to a minimum (i.e., go to a quiet room). End every lesson on a positive note.
Put Them in the Right Frame of Mind
Your dog needs to be calm and mentally focused. Try to train them after they’ve been walked or exercised—and not when they just ate or are full of energy. This helps your dog process what they’re learning.
Be Patient
Keep in mind your dog is trying their best. Obedience training is like trying to learn a new language. Some will pick it up quickly, others need more time. Don’t be hard on your dog or yourself and trust the process.
4. Safety
Common dog emergencies include eye injuries (running into objects), poisoning and choking on foreign objects. For their safety, follow this simple rule: If it’s dangerous to a toddler, it’s dangerous to your pet. Dogs should also only have access to their own food.
Consider taking a dog first-aid or CPR course. And put the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in your phone’s contacts list (888-426-4435).
Dog Safety 101
Use Car Restraints
When traveling, the goal is to keep your dog relaxed and under control. Get either a car harness, seatbelt tether, hard-sided or soft-sided carrier, or booster seat. Whatever you choose, don’t forget the seat protector.
Get Them ID Tags & Microchipped
Just in case your dog gets lost, have them wear a collar with ID tag that has their name, your phone number, any health conditions and home address. Consider microchipping your dog. After all, collars and tags can come off.
Have a Dog First Aid Kit
In case of emergency, call your veterinarian or nearest pet hospital. Also have a first aid kit on hand that includes pet bandages, styptic powder (helps stop bleeding), pet-safe antiseptic and antibiotics, cotton balls and tweezers.
Dog-Proof Your Home
Lock away potential hazards and keep them out of reach, especially where your dog likes to relax. Consider their field of vision and what may grab their attention. And keep anything dangerous off of places they might jump on.
5. Play
Whether it’s for fun, comfort or to fight boredom, dog toys are a must. Play on the safe side by avoiding toys and removing parts that are small enough to be swallowed. You should also dispose of toys that are starting to fall apart.
Giving treats are acts of affection that not only reward good behavior, but also strengthen the relationship between you and your dog.
Popular Puppy Toys & Treats
Soft Toys & Fetch Toys
Soft toys are easy on your puppy’s teeth and gums, plus they provide a sense of security and comfort for your dog. Fetch toys like balls teach important motor and retrieving skills while exercising your puppy.
Chew Toys
Chew toys are a great way to discourage the inappropriate chewing of things that shouldn’t be in your puppy’s mouth. They also help with teething while supporting the development of your pup’s face and neck muscles.
Soft Treats & Crunchy Treats
Very young and/or small breed puppies should only be given soft treats to protect their teeth and gums. As they get older (at least 6 months of age) and/or a larger breed puppy, you can start offering them crunchy treats.
Bones & Chews
Puppies who have all their adult teeth (about 6 months old but check with your veterinarian) can enjoy bones and long-lasting chews like bully sticks. Make sure they’re appropriate for your dog’s age, breed and chewing habits.
6. Grooming
Good fur hygiene needs to be part of your dog’s healthcare regimen. Regular grooming can help with issues like infections, hot spots, parasites, scabs, scratching, odors and more. Proper skin and coat care can also address matting issues that might otherwise infect wounds and cause poor blood circulation.
Seasonal shedding is normal for dogs; however, to prevent their fur from getting all over your clothes and furniture, get in the habit of de-shedding and brushing your pet.
Essential Dog Grooming Tips
Wash Your Dog
Bathe your dog about once every three months. You may need to wash them more often if they’re outside a lot or have certain skin problems. Do your best to keep any shampoo out of their eyes and ears.
Use Appropriate Brushes
Brushing and combing helps remove dirt while spreading natural oils throughout your dog’s coat and skin. For short or medium coats, go with a soft brush or comb. For thicker or longer coats, use a slicker brush.
Don’t Forget the Ears, Nails & Teeth
To prevent plaque-buildup that could cause periodontal disease, brush your dog’s teeth often. Regularly check their ears for excess earwax or hair. Trim dog nails when they’re touching the ground to avoid potential paw problems.
Visit Our Professional Groomers
As much as you can accomplish at home, your dog should still see the professional groomers at Pet Supplies Plus. They can identify issues the untrained eye may miss and offer services that are better left to an expert.
More Dog Articles
- Choosing the Right Pet Food
Understand what criteria you should use and why when deciding between all the different foods for your dog and cat.
Read More - Understanding Pet Food Labels
Learn how to translate pet food packaging when deciding on what’s right for your dog or cat.
Read More - Best Dog Treats for Training
Keep training time healthy by choosing the right treats and using them in the right ways, based on training objectives.
Read More - First Aid for Dogs and Cats
Be ready for a pet emergency by familiarizing yourself with our first aid tips and learn what to put in a first aid kit.
Read More - How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth
Follow this guide to create a healthy doggie dental routine. Learn what you’ll need and how to brush your canine’s teeth.
Read More - Why Spaying and Neutering Your Pets Matters
Spaying can help decrease the incidence of breast tumors while preventing possible uterine infections. Neutering can help prevent prostate problems and testicular cancer.
Read More - Calming Tips for Your Dog
Prepare for firework and storm season with these tips on how to keep your dog calm and safe.
Read More - How to Train Using Dog Treats
For our food motivated companions, treats may be your best tool for training. Check out these tips for treat-based training
Read More
Get more info about your Pet Supplies Plus questions.
CALL
Contact your local store for assistance.
Email Us
Fill out a short form and we'll get back to you!