Taking Your new dog home

What equipment will I need when I take my new dog home?

  • Bed and bedding - a dog needs to have its own bed in a quiet place where it will not be disturbed
  • Food and water bowl
  • Grooming equipment
  • Lead, collar and identity tag showing your name and address.
  • Supply of poop scoops
  • Dog training manual
  • Suitable food - diet sheet from breeder, or ask what the dog has been fed on, and times of meals
  • It is important not to change a dog's diet too quickly, as this could lead to an upset stomach
  • Dog guard, seat restraint or travelling cage for use in your car
  • When you introduce a puppy or new adult dog into your home, an indoor kennel/travelling cage can be a useful training aid when used correctly

Remember - DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS

Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle on a hot sunny day, even in the shade - the sun will move!

Vets and the Health of Your Pet

Don't wait for an emergency before you contact a vet!

  • Register your dog at your local veterinary surgery
  • The vet will give your new dog a health check - general health, weight, teeth, eyes and coat
  • The vet will provide you with advice on: Diet; Grooming; Vaccinations; Pet Health Insurance; Worming and other parasites; Dog training classes and neutering

Training

Your new pet's training begins the day you get it home, such as: basic commands, toilet training and barking. If there are children in the house, it will be important to supervise them when they play with their new pet so that you can intervene should the child or pet become too excited.

Teach your new dog its name

  • Teach your new dog the basic commands - No, Sit and Come
  • Enrol your dog in a training class or puppy socialisation class
  • Show young children how to behave towards their new pet
  • Teach good travelling behaviour in cars - daily short journeys in the car will get your new dog used to travelling and help reduce excitable behaviour and travel sickness
  • Teach your new dog to foul in its own garden before taking it for a walk - but remember always to carry a pooper-scooper
  • Aberdeenshire Council Dog Warden Service can advise you about local dog training classes

Children and Dogs

Children and dogs are good for each other if the following simple rules are observed:

  • Show children how to behave towards their new pet, for example, not to touch the dog while it is eating or sleeping and to be gentle and kind to it
  • Show the dog how to behave towards children, for example, no jumping up, stealing food or biting
  • Do not leave children and dogs alone together - always supervise them
  • Only responsible children that are capable of controlling their dog should be allowed to exercise the dog without adult supervision
  • Children in control of a dog are legally required to "scoop the poop" if their dog fouls in a public place
  • Ensure children wash their hands after handling pets, playing outside and prior to eating