Contributed Collaborative Post
Congratulations on your new family member! It’s super lovely to bring a dog home for the first time, see it get used to the space, and ultimately become the one member of the household that life revolves around! It can be a bit of a tough transition, of course, but having a dog is ten times better than not having one at all.
That being said, the stress that comes with being a new dog owner is hard to match! Once you’re responsible for a cute puppy, energetic adult dog, or a calm and cuddly senior, all kinds of anxiety can ping off at all times.
But there’s plenty you can do about ‘new owner’ stress. And if you’re currently tackling the stress pots below, check out our tips for dealing with the feelings once and for all.
Concerned About Training? Understand What Your Dog is Struggling with
All dogs, regardless of age, have to go through a bit of training when they get to a new home. However, there are a lot of dogs out there who are quite stubborn and seem resistant to doing what you ask them to.
Some breeds are more notorious for this than others, but any and all dogs can have trouble following commands.
If you’re concerned about your new pet’s seeming inability to understand you, keep an eye out for when these issues arise. What’s going on at the time, in terms of environment, noises, distractions, etc? Similarly, what command are you trying to give them? It could just be that this command in particular is a little too complicated for them and they need a bit of extra support.
Worried About an Emergency? Find Your Nearest Emergency Vet
It’s very common for a new dog owner to think their pooch might be on death’s door at any time. Whether you’re not used to owning a dog or you’re simply not quite familiar enough with your dog’s specific signs of illness and pain, anything out of the ordinary might have you crying about having to say goodbye before you’ve even seen the vet.
As such, if you’re always thinking about emergency health problems and how you might not be able to get your dog seen to, find out where your nearest emergency vet is. There will always be one nearby, and there are plenty of services that offer an emergency vet at your door in times of trouble. You can also go through your normal vet to find out how to contact the emergency service they’re signed up with.
They’re Not Getting Enough Exercise? Hire a Dog Walker
Finally, if you’re a bit worried that your dog might not be getting as much exercise as they really should, hire a dog walker to be sure. This is particularly good for anyone who works from home and has an energetic canine jumping around in the background!
New dog owner? Don’t let worries get on top of you. You’ve got this!
This is a contributed collaborative post
