Family members that must be prepared fall into several categories: children, other adults, dogs, cats, other pets, neighbours, your insurance company, your landlord and your community.

Now that your home is ready, it is time to prepare the other family members…

Family members that must be prepared fall into several categories: children, other adults, dogs, cats, other pets, neighbours, your insurance company, your landlord and your community. Each of these groups needs to be prepared for the coming of the new dog and each present their own challenges. In no case should you count on any of these groups to help you care for the new dog. If they promise to, they lie. Any help you get will be temporary and ineffective. But that is another story.

Strangely enough, the first group that you should notify is your community. The town, city or neighbourhood that you live in may have particular rules about dog ownership. Certain dogs are banned in some cities. Many communities require that dogs must be leashed when they are outside of your home. You may be required to obtain a license for your dog. If you plan on breeding your dog, you will also need to research the regulations involved in dog breeding where you live. These requirements are on the national, regional and local scale. Any violation of the laws can lead to losing your dogs, fines and/or jail time. A few phone calls should clear this matter up. If you have any questions, just talk to your local animal shelter. They will know all the requirements.

Next, check with your home insurance company. The breed of dog that you adopt may influence your rates. Some companies will even cancel your policy if you get certain breeds of dogs. In a perfect world, money would be no object. If you do have to pay more because of owning a dog, you should factor that into your estimate of the cost of the dog.

If you are preparing for your dog’s arrival, you probably have already checked your landlord’s policy on dogs. If not, now is a good time to ask. You do not want to lose the place that you both will live over neglecting to mention your plans.

Your neighbours will probably also want to know about your new dog. Most neighbours are welcoming of dogs, but if they have a problem with your dog, you want to know in advance. This should not change your plans, it is just good business.

The other adults in your household have probably already been in on the planning of this dog, but if they haven’t, stop and tell them now. A cute puppy is neat on Christmas morning, but not if your partner only sees it as a flea-ridden poop machine. An unwanted dog can put a lot of stress on a relationship. If you really want to surprise your partner with a dog, make it a stuffed one. The real one can wait until you both are in on the project together.

Children should only be told when plans are final for your new dog. There is no reason to get them worked up about a dog, if it does not work out. Telling them a day or two ahead of time will give them a chance to get excited. Be sure to talk to them about how to act around a dog. If they have never been around dogs before, take them to a dog park to meet a few dogs. The experience will help them adjust to the new animal.

If you already have dogs, you need to inform them a few days in advance about what is about to happen. Some dogs are not verbal, but others will understand.

The only precaution you can take with other animals is to lock them up when the new dog first gets there. You do not want your new terrier eating your eight-year-old’s gerbil. Of course, maybe you do.

Ready or not, here he comes…

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Author: National Missing Pets Register