If you’ve finally made up your mind and decided to get a large dog to keep you company then it’s time you discovered what you need to do in order to make it feel comfortable and at home. Large dogs do differ from smaller dogs as they need more space and there are certain steps you need to take to ensure that your new furry friend has everything they need ready and available before you bring them home.
IMAGE: PEXELS
Create A Comfortable Space
The first thing you need to have taken care of is creating a space that will be dedicated to having a comfortable space for your big dog. It makes life much easier for them when all their needs are set in one area so they don’t get confused when they come to their new home.
The most important thing you need to get is an orthopedic dog bed, as these are particularly comfortable for larger sized dogs. Make sure that you look up a couple of reviews so that you know which one would suit your dog best. Keep in a cozy corner where they have access to sunlight during the day as well, and be sure to keep their water and food bowl in the same area so that they can understand that this is their space. It proves to give them more security and structure to know that everything they need is in one stable spot.
Prepare Your Home
Before you have a big dog to enter your home, it’s important that you arrange the whole house in a way where the dog can feel that they can move freely, and also understand which areas are out of bounds for them. You don’t want them to have access to areas where they have the opportunity to ruin your clothes or shoes, or to enter the kitchen for example.
What you need to do is install gates at the entrances of these rooms so that they understand that they cannot go there. This could be a bit painful for you to watch at first because they may be confused and become distressed when they’re not allowed to follow you into a certain area, but with the passage of time, they will understand that these are the rooms where they cannot go in, and when they are a bit older you may even remove the gates and they will understand that they can’t enter this area.
Get All The Supplies You Need
It is important that you stock up on all the necessary supplies needed for your large dog well before you bring them home. This includes their food, grooming items, leashes, bags to pick up their poop when you take them for walks, and so on. Don’t forget to get your dog a few chew toys so that they understand that this is what they are supposed to chew on, and not your shoes or furniture! This doesn’t mean that they won’t try, but it will certainly help in training them to understand that this is the right thing to chew on.
Ensure That They Get Plenty Of Exercise
Big dogs need regular exercise to ensure that they stay healthy. If you don’t commit to having a proper schedule in place for taking them for walks and giving them the opportunity to run, then this could have an effect on their muscles, and it will also cause problems as you try to potty train them as well. Being dormant for too long also brings the risk of depression for dogs, so make sure that you make this a necessity and a priority.
Find A Good Vet
Before you bring your big dog home, do sufficient research to find yourself a vet that is close by and also offers in-house visits, and most importantly, is available to contact at any time. If a big dog is unwell it can be difficult to move them, so it makes more sense to have a vet that can come and visit you at home.
It’s important that you follow the steps provided so that you can create an inviting and comfortable environment for your new big dog. Big dogs require a ton of affection and attention so that they can stay active and happy. It’s extremely essential that you provide them plenty of space and are careful to set the house up in a way where they are not at risk of swallowing anything and also have space to move freely so that they don’t feel restricted.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
COMMENTS