At CareDogs, we’re passionate about finding a loving, stable home for dogs in need and we also understand that welcoming a new, furry friend into our lives is no small endeavour.

The UK’s Animal Welfare Act (2006) states that dog owners have a duty of care to provide a specific set of standards for their canine companions, and failure to meet and maintain these standards could result in legal action. Whilst we’re certainly not trying to put you off with such pawfully serious talk, it is important to recognise that when considering buying or (we hope!) adopting a dog, the big question to ask is: are you and your home ready for one? Below are a few thinking points to help you make a sound and informed decision about this potentially exciting next step:

1. Your home

You’ve probably heard of child-proofing a home for a new baby… the same is required for dogs! When preparing to welcome your new fur-baby into your household, you’ll need to ensure that every room your dog will have access to is dog-proofed. This means hiding electrical wires, removing large heavy objects that could topple over, and hiding away any other items that could be potentially dangerous for dogs. Consider installing a stair gate if you want your dog to stay downstairs at night, or if you’re worried they might fall. Your dog will feel more comfortable with multiple places in your home that it can scurry off to when worried or in need of some alone time, so think about setting up some nice comfy and quiet areas in different rooms. You might also like to set up a feeding area for your dog – aim for a calm and comfortable place for your pup, but ideally on a surface that’s easy to clean up afterwards, too!

2. Your garden

In between walks and adventures in the great outdoors, dogs also need enough outdoor space at home to stretch their legs – and relieve themselves whenever the urge arises too! Whilst a patio might work for smaller dogs, larger breeds will need more space, and sizeable, green lawns with no obstacles or hazards in the way are ideal for running, free play and great games – including the humble game of ‘fetch’! If you’re a keen gardener and like to keep your lawn and flower beds just-so, you may need to flex your patience and mentally prepare for the occasional accident, particularly in the early days. Most pet shops and hardware stores or garden centres sell urine neutralizers that can help to minimize yellow patches, although suitable dog training (see further below) can help you to teach your dog to – amongst other tricks – stick to one particular patch of the garden for whenever they need the toilet. As with all aspects of dog training, there will be a need for flexibility and a willingness to go with the flow at the beginning – remember that your doggie will need some time to adjust to his new surroundings, and to any new rules in his life! Another aspect to consider is ensuring that your garden space is securely enclosed with no holes or weak areas, and with a wall or fence of sufficient height (around 5 to 6 feet, depending on the dog) to prevent four-legged escape artists from making a break for it! And, as with your home, you will need to make sure that your garden is free of pesky dangerous items and places, such as uncovered ponds, or poisonous plants like daffodil bulbs.

3. Routine

A fixed routine is essential for animals as it helps to create a sense of stability and security, and prevent anxiety-related issues. Plan out what time you’ll feed and walk your dog each day, and try to stick to the schedule, especially within the first few months. Choose a food which is high quality (i.e. the best you can afford), easily digestible (that gives your dog nice, solid poos) and contains all-essential nutrients. Offer a morning and evening meal (or up to three meals, if your dog is still a puppy), ideally at the same time each morning and evening, and encourage your dog to go to the toilet after eating. Incorporating regular exercise into your dog’s routine is important, although the amount and type of exercise needed will vary greatly, depending on the age and breed of your four-legged friend. Most dogs will need a longer playtime or walk in the afternoon than in the morning, especially if they still have a lot of energy towards the end of the day. Just like their owners, though, dogs also need time to rest and recharge! Dogs can sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, so be sure to allow time for this vital, revitalizing rest time. 

Let’s not forget that routine can also be vital when it comes to happiness and wellbeing for us humans, too! When planning a routine for your dog, why not look at ways you can integrate some fun activities into your own routine, too? Planning for dog walks might open up a realm of possibilities when it comes to discovering new places in your local area, for example. When it comes to your dog’s daily meal times, why not use those small windows of time to consciously do something nice for yourself, such as calling a friend or family member, writing down a list of things you’re grateful for or doing some light, five-minute stretching exercises in the kitchen? Whilst owning a dog can imply a fair chunk of responsibilities, it can also be a great motivator in ensuring we look after our own health and wellbeing, too.

4. New experiences

Just like us humans, dogs are highly sociable creatures wired for human (and animal) connection, and they need a good mix of new and familiar faces and places to keep them interested and alert… That’s right: much like us humans, dogs can get bored, so keep things fun and engaging – for your furry friend, and for you! At CareDogs, we’re all about getting out of our comfort zones and discovering new activities to keep us active, healthy, and socially connected with our friends and neighbours… And if we can seek out these goals with our dogs along for the ride, so much the better! If you live alone, why not consider joining a dog-walking group, or teaming up with a local dog-walking volunteer – dogs are fantastic at bringing people together and opening up doors for companionship and human connection. Equally, if you’ve not had a dog before, meeting with other dog owners can be a great way to share tips and tricks in terms of dog behaviour and doggie care. A problem shared is a problem halved – and that certainly holds true in the wonderful dog-caring community! Also, don’t forget to mix things up: if you soon find yourself following the same old dog-walking route time and again, why not branch out and find a new walking path or area? Variety is the spice of life – for you, and your dog!

5. Pet insurance

Besides the initial financial outlays such as dog food and equipment, another important factor to bear in mind when budgeting for your dog expenses is the potential extra costs that might crop up if your pup becomes unwell or is in need of medical treatment. Yes, just like us humans, dogs need a rainy day fund, too! Vet bills (see below) can sadly be eye-wateringly expensive, so whether you want to pay for a pet insurance plan or just put aside some money each month, it’s always a good idea to have some way of paying for unexpected vet bills. Pet insurance options vary from lifetime to yearly plans, so research the different options that best suit you. If you don’t have access to the internet or would simply rather speak to somebody for advice, your vet should be able to give you some trustworthy, unbiased guidance on this. 

6. Vets and dog health

Before you adopt your dog, have a think about which vet you will be taking it to, and be sure to register your new pup with them as soon as your dog adoption is official! You will most likely need to visit the vets for an initial consultation after adopting your dog, and you’ll need to visit at least once a year for yearly vaccination boosters. If your dog isn’t microchipped or neutered when you first get him or her home, this will be another key task to get done as soon as possible, ensuring that the microchip details are registered in your name. Keeping on top of this long but by no means exhaustive dog health checklist is crucial for the wellbeing of your pup, so it’s important to have a think about whether you have any time or financial constraints that might prevent your dog from accessing these all-important medical appointments. In terms of additional, unforeseen vets appointments, the general rule of thumb is that if your dog appears to be under the weather in any way, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and pay a visit to the vets, just in case there may be anything more serious going on. It’s worth highlighting that animals hide their illnesses and pain, and if you don’t take your pet to the vets when they’re poorly, you could be breaking the law.

7. Training options

Depending on the age or background of your dog, another element to take into account in your doggy preparation and planning is training. Be it a young and particularly spritely or headstrong pup, or perhaps an older dog who has sadly been mistreated, abandoned, or allowed to fall into bad habits, dogs of all shapes and sizes can often do with a professional helping hand when it comes to social skills, behavioural issues, toilet training and the like. If you’re keen to take on the challenge yourself, libraries can offer a good selection of dog-training books. Often there’s nothing quite like the personalised experience of a dog-training class, which allows you to engage with, and draw on the professional advice of, an experienced dog trainer, as well as establish a new community of like-minded friends – for you and your dog! Bear in mind though that committing to a dog-training class will require a regular (usually weekly, for a set number of weeks) commitment. When it comes to selecting a trainer, there are many options out there, and it’s good to be aware that whilst some of them have the necessary training and qualifications under their belts, other, less reputable trainers, may not be as knowledgeable and reliable. If you’re unable to access the internet to do a web search and read reviews, start off by asking for recommendations from your vet.

We hope you found these tips and tricks useful! If, armed with these all-important doggy preparation essentials, you’re feeling ready and raring to go in terms of welcoming a new canine companion into your life, why not consider sprinkling some much-needed kindness in the world by adopting an older dog? If you think adopting a furry, four-legged friend might be for you, and if you’re aged 55 or over, we’d love to help, so please do get in touch!