Whether you grew up around dogs or you’ve never had a pet in your life, adopting your first dog is equal parts fun and challenging.  Dogs are loyal and loving companions who will stick with you no matter what, and they require time and patience as they adjust to a new setting and learn that you’re the one in charge.  You can’t always plan for everything, but here are a few things to keep in mind as you get ready to become a dog owner.

Before you adopt…

Decide whether you’re ready for a dog.

You may have completed this step already.  If so, congratulations! 

If not, take the time to think through the responsibilities of dog ownership and how they will fit into your daily life. 

• Do you have enough space in your home to live comfortably with a dog? 
• Is your schedule flexible enough to allow for walks, play time, training, and unexpected emergencies? 
• Do you have room in your budget for food, supplies, and medical care? 
• Do you have the patience to work with and clean up after a dog?

If the answer to these questions is “no,” that’s okay!  For many people, the answer is “not right now,” and it’s important to be honest with yourself.  Getting in over your head wouldn’t be fun for you or your pet, so consider waiting until the time is right for you to provide a happy home to a loving dog.

If the answer is “yes,” let’s move on to the next step!

Get your budget in line.

You’ve probably realized by now that you need to budget for food, toys, and gear like collars and leashes.  But have you also considered training, grooming, and veterinary care? 

If you’re adopting a puppy, be sure to factor in vaccines, housetraining aids, and replacements for anything that gets chewed up or broken.  PetCoach estimates the costs of first-year dog ownership at between $511 and $6,600.

None of this is meant to scare you.  The benefits of owning a dog are well worth the costs, but you need to plan for those costs ahead of time.  There will be unexpected expenses, but you can offset some of those costs by getting creative. 

Ask family and friends if they have any collars, leashes, or beds that their dogs have outgrown.  Look outside your immediate area for a vet that costs a little less.  Do your homework before you adopt so that you’re prepared for those times when you need to spend a little extra.

On adoption day…

Plan to spend that first day at home.

This is it, the day you’ve been planning for!  You’ve found your perfect canine companion and you’re bringing her to her new home. 

You’re excited and nervous and happy, so give yourself the time to experience all those feelings.  If possible, take the day off of work or schedule the adoption right before a weekend so you’ve got time to learn what it’s like to be a dog owner.

Dogs need some time to adjust to the sights, sounds, and smells of a new home, and you want to be there as your dog explores this new space.  Introduce her to new people and animals slowly so that she doesn’t get overwhelmed. 

She’ll go at her own pace, so pay attention to her responses to new things, and don’t worry if she doesn’t go right for that new toy or fancy bed.  Particularly if she’s an older dog or she’s spent some time in a shelter, she’ll need some time to realize that this is her new home.

Clear your schedule, because you won’t want to leave!  You’ll start to bond with your new dog right away, and you’ll see her personality emerge as she becomes comfortable in this new space.

Find a great vet.

If you adopt from a shelter, they may provide some initial veterinary care or have recommendations for finding a vet.  However, this doesn’t have to be your dog’s permanent vet if you feel like it’s not a good fit.  You want an experienced veterinarian who’s patient with your dog and good at communicating with you as his owner.

Vet care is very important for your new dog, and you will almost certainly have questions about his health, so make sure your vet is someone you’re comfortable talking to.  Start a list of questions you want to ask during the next phone call or visit. 

Be sure to ask in advance about emergency night or weekend care, because that’s something you want to have ready if you need it.  Your dog might never love going to the vet, but it certainly doesn’t need to be a traumatic experience for either of you.

As you get to know each other…

Be patient.

Training a new dog can be hard, often in different ways than you expected it to be.  Maybe she takes to housetraining right away but won’t stop chewing the sofa cushions.  Maybe he just can’t pass somebody riding a bicycle without barking his head off. 

It’s important not only to be patient with your new dog, but to be kind to yourself as you learn how to be a good dog owner.  You’re new to this role and you won’t be perfect at it.

Even if you grew up with dogs as pets, being the sole person responsible for a dog is a new experience.  Don’t take it personally if your new dog doesn’t seem to listen to you.  Particularly if you’ve adopted a rescue dog, you may not know what he’s gone through in his life already.  Remember that he wants you to love him and take care of him, even if it takes some time for that to become obvious. 

Some dogs are very easy-going and obedient by nature, but others take more work.  You’re learning to be a good dog owner at the same time your dog is learning to sit, so have enough patience for the both of you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from dog-owning friends.

Aside from your vet, your best resources are your friends and family with experience owning dogs.  We all pick up little tips and tricks as we go along, and if something isn’t working for you or your dog, someone you know might be able to recommend something better, like a particular type of collar that stops leash pulling or a toy that doesn’t get chewed to pieces immediately.  Let other people’s wisdom work for you.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, people love to talk about their dogs!  Mention a problem you’re having to another dog owner and you’ll almost certainly hear “Oh, that happened to us, too!  Here’s what we did…” Even if that solution doesn’t work for you, you’ll have gathered a new piece of information, and before you know it, you’ll be the one giving advice to brand new dog owners.

No one can tell you exactly what to expect when you first adopt a dog, but as long as you remain patient and flexible, you’ll both be fine.  Your new dog wants a home and a family, and you get the privilege of giving her that.  The bond you form with your dog will be a source of joy for years to come!