Top 10 Essentials for Adopting a Dog During Quarantine

So you decided to foster or adopt a new furry friend during quarantine. We know it can be a little overwhelming at first so we wanted to provide you with the best information for a new dog parent to get started. 

Here is a list of the 10 essentials you should have to welcome your new family member into your home.

Let's start with the no-brainers:

1. Love & Commitment - Caring for a shelter dog, whether for a short time as a foster or a long-term adoption, is a major commitment. Remember that this dog might just be a small part in your life but to them you are a huge part of their whole life. Whatever you do, give them all of your love and commitment for as long as you can. If you cannot commit to the responsibilities of having a dog for 10+ years, you are not ready to adopt!
2. Patience - This new environment will be new for both of you and there will likely be a period of slight (or significant) chaos as you figure things out. Trust that your dog wants to make you happy but will need your patient guidance and positive training to get it right. 

Now that we have that down, let’s talk about the essentials checklist:

3. A Prepared Space - Depending on your preferences you may decide to designate a comfortable dog bed in your living room, inside of a crate or kennel, or even share your own bed with your family member! Regardless of what you decide, it's important that you prepare your entire home by eliminating potential hazards. Petfinder has a great article that will walk you through things to consider in each room. I find it's easier for you and your dog to get used to the new environment by using a crate or exercise pen when you are not able to supervise your pup and then gradually opening up new spaces of your home. Check out our Cactus Clouds bed for a stylish and comfy bed option!
4. Food and Water Bowls - Your furry friend will need to eat and drink on the daily, so make sure you get the best option to fit his/her needs. Consider the size of the bowls based on your feeding schedule and portion sizes. If you notice that your pup is a fast or binge eater, consider a slow feeder bowl. If you've got a chewer (especially a younger pup) you may want to opt for metal or ceramic bowls. I have a chewer and a fear of ruining the bamboo floors in my apartment, so I've opted for elevated bowls and a waterproof mat.  
5. Food Selection - You’ve got to have food to put in the bowls right? Figuring out the right diet for your dog is one of the toughest tasks! The right diet will keep them happy, energized and healthy. The first step will be to make sure you start off with the food/brand they have been eating! A dog’s stomach can be quite sensitive, so use caution when switching them to a new diet and do this gradually. This WikiHow article has some great tips to transition your dog from shelter food to new food. 
6. Treats - Treats are one of the best ways to reinforce positive behaviors such as going potty outside and following commands such as sit, stay and down. They will help build trust and help you bond your pup. Similar to food, try to ease your dog into new treats to avoid upsetting their stomach. A good rule of thumb is to stick to 1-5 treats per day and combine it with positive reinforcement training. Check out these recipes from Doggy Dessert Chef to make your own treats at home!
7. Dental Care Products - Dogs can suffer from tooth and gum disease without proper care (and their breath can get extra stanky).  Dogs should have their own toothbrush/toothpaste and their teeth should be brushed daily or once a week at minimum! I like to add dental sticks and treats to the mix as well to make sure my dog has the best oral hygiene possible. Business Insider has a great article on the best dental care products for your dog. 

8. Toys - Toys keep your pup entertained and stimulated but its important to know what kind of toys work best for supervised and unsupervised play. My dog has the super-ability to destroy pretty much any stuffed toy I give him within hours if left unsupervised! We like to play fetch with stuffed toys and tennis balls and tug-o-war with rope toys during play time.  Kong toys are also a great option when you cannot supervise your dog’s play time. Stuff them with peanut butter, banana, kibble or an ice cube to keep them entertained for longer.  

If you have a dog like mine that suffers from separation anxiety, this Pet Central article has a lot of great suggestions.  

9. Collar and Tags - Now that your pup has found a home, it's SUPER important that he/she have a collar and tag so that they can always make their way back to you. The ID tags should clearly state the owner’s name, address and phone number as well as the dog’s name. In addition, make sure you have their rabies vaccination tag and any city/county licenses that may be required. Keep these are attached to your dog’s collar anytime they leave your home, even if it's just to the backyard. Your dog’s collar should be snug enough that they cannot wiggle out of it but with at least two fingers worth of space between the collar and the neck. There are many options for collars but we think you’ll find a perfect one by looking through our Leo Y Lola collar collection.
10. Leash - Leashes, like collars, come in all lengths, widths and styles. They are meant to keep you and your dog safe and under control while out and in many places will be required any time you take your dog in public. This is especially important if your dog is not used to socializing to prevent accidents or altercations with other people and pets. When I first brought my dog home, I quickly learned that a retractable leash only reinforced leash pulling and got us both into trouble... he once peed on a woman who was sitting down with her back turned to us at a park! As embarrassing as that accident was, we were lucky that we never experienced the dangers of using a retractable leash outlined in this article by the Doginton Post. The safe bet is to start out with a standard leash made with high-quality and durable materials. Check out the Leo Y Lola leash collection for unique artisan-made leashes and pair it with a matching collar!