They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but I believe dogs are a girl’s best friend. I have been around dogs all my life and to me, they are automatically considered family.

Moving away to Texas from my family home in Virginia forced me to leave three of my puppy siblings behind. Before being away from them, I never realized how impactful their presence was on my mental health. When I became depressed due to my homesickness, I started therapy, and my therapist recommended that I look into getting an emotional support dog. Between COVID-19 forcing me to work from home and the benefits I discovered emotional support animals can offer, it seemed like the perfect time for Justin and me to adopt our first fur child.

However you choose to get your fur child, please make sure that you are doing so for the right reasons - to love and take care of THEM! Even though we all know how cute and adorable dogs are, sometimes we can forget that they require a lot of work and patience, just like human children do. In my opinion, I believe that adopting from a local shelter is the best way to go. However, I know that shelter adoption is not everyone’s preference, and that’s okay.

Try to gather as much information that you can about your new pet. Whether you’re adopting or purchasing from a breeder or shop, it’s important to ask questions. Sometimes important information is missing from paperwork displayed on the kennels. It’s also important to keep in mind that separating a puppy from its mother before 8 weeks is illegal. If an owner/breeder is trying to get rid of a dog before the 8-week mark, there’s probably a reason. Be cautious, do your research, and understand the risks of the future medical issues that might take place.

If you’re working from home during these times and in need of a little extra emotional support, getting a dog right now could be PERFECT for you. Here are my recommendations on how to prepare not only your house but also your mentality for this exciting new chapter in your life.

RESEARCH ON BREEDS:

Everyone has a favorite type of breed, or their dream dog. Do a little research on if the dog you’re looking to adopt is suitable for your living environment. For example, a Great Dane in a 500-square-foot apartment doesn’t sound morally right because those dogs grow to be huge. Getting a small dog for a small space will work out so much better in the long run! Also, keep your allergies in mind. You may have to get a dog that is hypoallergenic to help out with your health. Even if you’re at the shelter, keep notes and research during your decision-making process. Be sure to also consider the grooming tools and habits necessary to keep your dog feeling happy and healthy.

PREPARING YOUR HOME:

Dog Proof Furniture: Having pets is like having kids. You have to protect them like your blood.
- Ensure all chemicals are properly stored away
- Hide electrical cords
- Dispose of pest killers and traps
Prepare Household Members: If you don’t live by yourself, inform the household members of their responsibilities regarding the safety, protection, and care of their future housemate. At times you might need them to help out with feeding, entertaining, and taking care of your baby, so it’s important to make sure they understand this possibility up front.
Find Your Vet: Take time to research pricing and different plans that the vets nearby have to offer.
- I use Banfield (the vet inside of Petsmart). They have affordable plans & a WONDERFUL app. When Oliver got sick, I had a vet on “text dial” who I could send photos and videos to at 4 AM for the most accurate assistance possible.
Buy ERRRRYTHANG: Yeah, everything. If you thought about it, buy it.
- Bowls
  - Food and water
- Leash
- Harness
- Collar
- Poop bag holders
  - Don’t be that person who doesn’t pick up after your dog *judges you from the screen*
- Pooper scooper
  - If you have a backyard
- Dog tag
  - I recommend putting two phone numbers on the back if possible. I did not put our address on the back of ours
- Beds
- Potty pad
- Crate
  - If you plan on crate training
- Gate
- Blankets
  - Useful in blocking your dog’s access to specific areas in the house
- Toys
  - If your dog has a special item from the shelter ask if you are allowed to take it home to make their transition more comfortable
- Food
  - Ask the shelter or breeder what the dog is currently eating. If you want to keep the dog on the same food, purchase it. If you want to change your dog's food, ask the breeder/shelter if you’re able to get two days worth to transition your furry friend to their new food.

WELCOMING YOUR DOG

Give Them Space:
- Remember that your dog also has feelings and emotions and will need to adjust to their new environment. It will take a minute for them to get comfortable (remember, they don’t understand what just happened to them), but be patient at all times. Let them sniff all corners of their new home to fully engage with the space. Let their first few days be full of love and grace. If kids are around, remind them to be gentle. As your fur baby becomes more comfortable, playtime will happen more often!
Potty Time:
- As soon as you get home, the potty training begins. If you adopted your new baby and are unsure of their housetraining status, make sure that you treat them as if they were a small puppy. If you have a yard, make sure you introduce them to it and use words such as “potty” or “bathroom”. Dogs seem to understand words that have two syllables. If you do not have a backyard, I suggest that you walk them around your area and let them sniff around. There will be plenty of triggering smells that will encourage them to do their business. If you are pad training, make sure to keep their area in the same spot. I am not a fan of pad training because I have heard horror stories involving dogs who get confused when traveling to unfamiliar places on pads. I’ve heard that rugs around the house can be confusing for them, so be aware of this if you do choose to pad train. All in all, positive reinforcement is the major key to success in this situation. Show some love and praise early on when they do a good job to encourage them to do it again.
Sleeping Space:
- Making sure that your dog has a place to sleep at night is important. You can put their bed in your room, let them free roam, or have them sleep in a crate - just remember that you make the rules. I’ve personally trained my dog to sleep in the crate at night. Yes, trained. It took about 1 month for my dog to get adjusted to living at home with us and sleeping at night in his crate. Since Oliver was from the shelter, he had issues with the crate and separation anxiety. He would scream and howl at night, and we were only getting a few hours of sleep. Because of this, I started giving him CBD and it’s been working so well! Sometimes we also use it when we fly, but it’s not always needed.
Microchipping:
- When I adopted Oliver, he was microchipped for free. If your dog is not microchipped, please get them on the plan. I use HomeAgain.
  - “What’s a microchip,” you ask? This tiny device provides your pet with permanent identification to give them the best chance of returning home to you when lost. I get emails from this site on missing pets and most of them are ultimately found.
Pet Insurance:
- Just like humans, dogs can have costly unexpected medical issues! Having to make the choice between going into debt and saying goodbye to your pet is never a position you want to find yourself in. Research and call your insurance company to see if they cover pets. My auto/renters’ insurance company offers pet insurance (USAA). It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

As your dog is adjusting, keep in mind that they are also most likely nervous and scared. Avoid planning major trips, renovations, and other major changes within the first couple of months if possible. Being stress-free will help with your new baby’s transition to your home. Remain patient and loving above all else, and congratulations on your new fur baby!

Here is a checklist that you can save to help you out, also please pin on your Pinterest Board.