The joy of adopting a dog is something truly special for you and your new best friend! But, if it is your first time owning a dog then it can be a lot to deal with if you aren’t sure where to start with it all.

Bringing a new adoption home is the beginning of something special; it’s hard work, but also fun and really exciting. So, to help you make this the smoothest transition for you and your new pooch here’s some go-to advice that you can use to ensure this happens.

Prep the Home
Preparation is everything. You need to be sure that your home is ready for your new family member when they walk through the door. You should go through your home and safely stow away anything that could cause harm to those inquisitive pooches, and also put anything in a safe space if you don’t want them to be chewed on!

Prepare not just belongings, but everyone else in the home too. Make sure you talk about who has certain responsibilities as dogs enjoy a level of routine which can be particularly anxiety-relieving for adoptees arriving in a new home.

Get Supplies Ready
Next, you will need to have everything at the ready in terms of making the house a home for your new four-legged family member. Whatever you have to bring in to make the home nice and safe, do so. What’s more, having all the essentials for when you bring them home is important too. Basic supplies should include:

• Collar
• Lead
• Food
• Dog bed
• Water bowl
• Pet gate
• Toys
• Treats
• Grooming supplies

Organise Home Time
If at all feasible, try and be at home with your dog for two or three days so that you can help them get used to their new home and be as comfortable as possible. At the same time, it’s best not to bring them home when you are on holiday as they will get used to having you around constantly.

When you do pick up your new pooch, remember to have their collar and lead with you, and take them home without any diversions as being in a car can be a stressful situation.

Let Them Explore
Upon arrival, let your pup have a good sniff around, but it might be best to keep them on their lead while they explore, just to be on the safe side.

Lead them to where their bed is, show them where they get their food, let them see/play with the toys etc., but also be clear on the boundaries as far as what’s off-limits. Do this by demonstrating short but firm commands such as "leave it" and "no".

Discover the Garden
Something that will be very exciting but possibly overwhelming for adopted dogs who aren’t used to having all of this outdoor freedom. Give them a healthy slice of time to explore the garden and discover their new surroundings.

Don’t disappear out of sight when they go into the garden as they may become unsettled, so just be present while they’re exploring.

Assign a Safe Space
Moving back into the home, you should have a space that your pup can go to like their own special safe space. You can have a dog crate, or something similar; dogs see these types of spaces as their own bedroom/den that they can go to if they feel they need to.

It’s also a great spot for them to do some adjusting while they’re in transition from the dog shelter to their new home. If a crate really isn’t an option, then you can make use of the invisible fence/pet gate to block out a room for them to have exclusively.

Start Training
Once your new doggy has acclimated to the home, you can begin to start thinking about some training. Don’t rush into this, but don’t leave it too long. This is possible to put in place even with adult dogs who had been housebroken in their old home.

Are you crate training? If so, do introduce them as soon as possible, and rehearse leaving them in the crate, along with their favourite toy, for short periods whenever you leave the house. This will help with their successful transition.

Furthermore, if you’re keen to take up some obedience training then it is best to get this started ASAP too, as this will allow you to determine the rules right from the beginning.

See A Vet
In the first week of arriving home, we advise taking your pooch to a vet for a general health check. You can also check that all necessary vaccinations have been done at this time too

The pride and pleasure of adopting a dog is a big thing, but it is a large transition for all concerned. However, if you keep the basics covered that we have touched on then your adopted dog will quickly feel secure and safe in their new forever home in no time at all.

Article courtesy of Angie Hill -- Editor of WoofDog -- www.woofdog.org