A few months ago I participated in a Twitter chat with Simple Solution about bringing a new pet into your home. On the chat was Dr. Evan Antin. If you don’t know him, he is an Instagram Vet superstar. Dr. Antin is an animal expert and exotic animal veterinarian at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital. Mom says he is easy on the eyes too … BOL. He was named by People magazine as the “Sexiest Beast Charmer” in December 2014. I personally don’t like being called a beast, so I’m going to rename him as “Sexiest Pet Charmer” … hehehe. I asked him what tips he had for my readers, and he gave me some great advice on how to make the transition to bringing a new dog home easy-peasy.
Dog-Proofing Your House
You need to dog-proof your home before they arrive. Put away anything you care about … just kidding … well kind of. We are really quick and can get into almost anything including your prized book collection on the bottom shelf, those electrical cords behind the couch that may get chewed on (I plea the 5th on that one … hehehe). Also, anything poisonous such as plants and chemicals need to be placed out of reach. Dr Antin says:
A1: One important tip is picking up all small objects in the house that your puppy could possibly chew and swallow. #petlifechat #SZ16
— Dr. Evan Antin (@EvanAntin) August 2, 2016
Setup a Safe Spot for the Dog to Stay
Your new dog needs a nice quiet place away from the hussle and bussle of your family. Crates are a great option for providing your dog a safe place to stay and can also help keep them out of trouble. Dr. Antin states:
A2: A crate is essential, even domesticated animals need a safe place to retreat to #PetLifeChat #sz16
— Dr. Evan Antin (@EvanAntin) August 2, 2016
Housetraining
Housetraining is so important to teach us where we should, and more importantly, shouldn’t go potty. Some dogs catch on quicker than others, so be prepared that accidents will happen! Go ahead and stock up on Simple Solution Oder and Urine Removal. Trust me on this. You and your carpet will thank me! Here is another great resource you should check out – the Simple Solution Oder and Urine Removal Ebook. It will give you step by step instructions on how to get ALL the stains out.
Set up the House Rules
These house rules aren’t the rules for the dog; it is the rules for you humans. Everyone has to be on the same page. Where will the dog sleep? Can the dog sleep on the bed (my vote is always YES!)? Who will take the pup on daily walks? Who is cleaning up our poop? I know it isn’t a fun job, but I suggest using Green Pups Waste Pick-Up Bags. They keep the smell inside the bag, and they are good for the environment too!
Make Sure your Pet is Healthy
This tip is super important. Find a vet right away. Your pup will need regular check-ups, vaccination, and when they are old enough, they need to be spayed or neutered. If you live in Conejo Valley, I suggest you go to Dr. Antin. Daisy and I met him, and he was super friendly. He got down on the floor and hung out with us … well, because he is tall and we are short … hehehe. He was interested in hearing about Daisy’s broken leg. I told Daisy she can’t always pull out the “I was left for dead in a shelter with a broken leg” story for every hot vet she sees. She said, “It worked didn’t it? I don’t see you in the photo with Dr. Antin … BOL”.
Here is a great video to learn a little more about Dr. Antin!
I hope these tips help you get ready to bring a new pet into your home!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Simple Solution but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
