Place Making Online

This can easily be one of the most exciting times in a person’s life – the days leading to the arrival of your new dog. It is not unlike gaining a new family member. Yet, even if you are getting a young puppy that needs to stay warm and indoors during its first days, the backyard needs to be thoroughly prepared. Dogs are creatures of habits and they will accept the situation as is, so making sure that everything is in order and in the right place will be beneficial for the future life and routines of both dog and family.

1. Forget open planning, a fenced-in space is what is required for any dog, young or old; it will protect the dog from other dogs and passersby from your pet. Quite a number of things that have been placed in the yard have the potential to become a threat to a curious dog, and all dogs are curious. It might be the right time to get rid of the excess stuff that should have been thrown away long ago, and make the whole place safer. Old nails and wooden items with splinters are on this list, and clean out should definitely happen before the dog arrives. Fencing might prove to be costly so it will all depend on what breed of a dog we are talking about and how much time it will spend outside, there are available options for every situation.
2. Dogs love to run and sniff the grass/turf, as well as to dig it up every so often. Your gardening days are done, at least for the first month or so of your dog’s life in the yard, until you train it to restrain itself from digging (many have tried, not all have succeeded). And it is important to mention that all your gardening and cleaning chemicals need to be locked away pronto, as you would do if you were bringing a child into the house.
3. Now the issue of ‘doing business in one spot will require patience but it is doable. Each time the dog has to “go”, take the dog to a spot reserved for the ‘business’ and it will be a ‘piece of cake’ after a while – consistency being the key element. This area could also be marked with a small garden fence to prevent humans from stepping into the icky stuff on their way across the yard. This piece of advice counts for double if you have children.
4. The dog will the pickiest about its doghouse. The key issues here are security and protection from the elements, and if the dog feels secure and sheltered, you have reached a mutually beneficial situation. The options here are either to purchase a ‘ready-made’ one or DIY a doghouse. Making sure this doghouse can be properly cleaned is also important to keep in mind!

The wisest pet owners will make a list ahead of time, covering everything that needs to be taken care of before the dog arrives, the necessary dog supplies ready for the new guest, and the vet schedule for when the dog does dome home. Some of the activities might be time consuming but what is ‘hard work’ compared to the love you see in your dog’s eyes. And remember, this will be stressful for the dog much more than it will be for you, and making the move easier for the animal will make everyone that much happier.