Congratulations on your new pet!

Bringing home a new dog can be challenging and stressful not only for you but for the dog as well. They will be in an unfamiliar environment with new people and this can be scary. Here are some tips to help the transition into your home go as smooth as possible.

• Before you bring your dog inside, walk him/her around outside and make sure he/she goes potty. This will prevent accidents from happening indoors. Even if dogs are "Potty Trained" they are still likely to have an accident in an unfamiliar environment. So be safe, not sorry! Prevention and management are key in potty training.

• Keep your dog on leash inside the house at all times! Not only will this prevent accidents, it will also help teach the dog boundaries. Let the dog explore the house, letting him/her get used to the environment. Keep a close eye on the dog at all times to ensure he/she does not have an accident. For shy or nervous dogs try using tasty treats, spreading them around on the floor to encourage them to explore.
• From the very beginning set your rules for the dog. Is the dog allowed on the furniture? Is the dog allowed in the kitchen, bedrooms, or other areas in the house? Be very clear and consistent with these rules, your dog will catch on quickly if you are.
• Never take your dog off leash in an unfenced area! Even though you have grown very attached to your new dog the likelihood of the dog coming back if it runs off are slim to none. If you would like to have your dog off leash somewhere, seek a professional trainer to ensure proper training has taken place before you decide to take your dog off of the leash.
• Proper Diet and Exercise is a very important key to preventing health and behavioral problems. Yes dog food can be very expensive but by feeding a higher quality food your dog will potty less, have fewer health issues, and fewer behavioral problems. It has been proven that dogs that eat porr quality food tend to develop health and behavioral problems because they are not receiving proper nutrients. Feeding low quality or "cheap" dog food would be like you eating fast food every day. You probably would not feel very good, right? We also cannot stress enough the importance of physical and mental exercise for your dog. This will ensure your dog is not bored and destructive. So if you notice your dog is chewingup the furniture or spreading trash through the house, it's probably time for a walk!