Getting a new dog is a great experience. You add a member to your home, one who will provide you with happiness, loyalty, and comfort. When you first get your dog, there are some things that you can do to make your home more pet-friendly. If you haven’t had a dog before, these suggestions are especially helpful. Give these few ideas a try, and hopefully you’ll find that your new dog fits right in.

Get Them Everything They Need

First, you’re going to need to pick up some supplies for you dog. You’ll need food, treats, some toys, and maybe a bed for them to lay on. Some owners choose to keep their dog in a crate when they aren’t home, so consider picking up one of these. If you’re unsure of what to get, the place where you got your dog will be able to provide you with some suggestions.

Place Gates To Block Off Certain Areas

There might be some areas of your home that you don’t want the dog to enter. Maybe it’s your bedroom, or a home office that you have set up. Or maybe you just want to keep your dog in one room, and not allow them to roam around unsupervised. To do this, you can place some gates around your home to block off certain areas. These gates are typically used for small children, but they work just as well on pets. Just be sure they are high enough that your dog can’t jump over, and securely fastened so your dog can’t knock them over.

Install A Fence Around Your Yard

While you’re blocking off areas, consider doing the same in your yard. Dogs love to run around outside, but you don’t want them to get loose and roam the neighborhood. A fence is a great option if you have the space, and provided your dog can’t jump over or dig underneath. You can also tie a rope to a tree, and attach the other end to your dog to ensure they don’t get too far. Another option is an electric fence, which goes underground and gives the dog a slight shock if they approach the boundary. It’ll take some training, but is a good option when a full fence is not available.

Use Artificial Grass

When your dog has to do it’s business, you don’t want your lawn to suffer the consequences. In many yards, dogs ruin the grass over time as nature calls. You spend a lot of time making sure your yard looks nice, and you don’t want the dog to ruin your nice landscaping. To prevent this, you could install some artificial grass. Fake grass pads for pets are a great option, as they allow your lawn to continue to look great, and they are tougher than normal grass, allowing dogs to dig into them. If you’re concerned about your lawn with your new dog, artificial grass is a great thing to consider.

Move Food To A Safe Location

Back inside, your dogs are going to try and get into everything. Before you let them loose around the home, make sure you move all of your food to a safer location. Keep it off the ground in your pantry, or out of bottom shelves. Dogs are crafty than you think, and if there is a way to get into the food, they’ll find it. Also keep your garbage in a safe place, at least until your dog is trained to stay away from it. You don’t want to come home and find your garbage all over the home.

Pick Up Cleaning Supplies

Finally, no matter how careful you are, eventually your dog is going to have an accident. When the time comes, you’ll want to have the correct supplies at home to take care of it. If left untreated, dog accidents can cause a stain, so it’s important to get them up as soon as you can. Always make sure you are stocked with pet stain remover, some extra paper towels, and maybe some air freshener for safe measures.

Making A Dog Feel At Home Is Easy

Before long, your new dog is going to feel quite at home with you. As long as you take some necessary precautions, you can make the transition and easy one for both you and the dog. There may be some growing pains along the way, or some accidents, but as you figure things out, it will become easier. Hopefully the above tips set you on the right path, and you and your new dog will have many years ahead of peaceful cohabitation.