🐶 What First-Time Dog Owners Should Know – A 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston

Congratulations on welcoming an adult dog into your life! Whether you're adopting or rescuing, being a first-time dog parent can be rewarding and overwhelming. This 2025 guide from Dr Duncan Houston covers everything new dog owners need to know for a smooth start. 🐾

🛒 Day One Essentials

• 🍽️ Food: Stick with what the dog was eating before arrival if possible. Ask your vet before switching.
• 🥣 Bowls: Use ceramic or stainless steel. Clean daily.
• 🦮 Collar/harness & leash: Ensure a good fit. Use harnesses for flat-faced breeds or dogs with trachea issues.
• 💧 Fresh water: Available at all times, in a clean bowl.

🛍️ Items You'll Need Soon

• 🪪 ID tags and microchip
• 💊 Heartworm and flea/tick prevention (check with your vet)
• 🧸 Toys (puzzle, chew, enrichment)
• 🚶 Poop bags
• 🛁 Dog shampoo (not human)
• 🦷 Dog toothbrush/toothpaste
• ✂️ Nail clippers or plan for grooming visits
• 🧼 Urine cleaner with enzymes (just in case!)

🩺 First Vet Visit

• 📋 Schedule a wellness checkup soon after adoption
• 📌 Vaccination updates (including legally required rabies)
• 🔬 Check for parasites or infections
• 🐶 Discuss spay/neuter if not already done

🛏️ Gear & Home Setup

• 🛋️ Dog bed or soft crate area for resting
• 🚪 Baby gates for room control
• 🪮 Brushes/combs based on coat type
• 📦 Crate for safe downtime or training

📚 Training & Routine

• 🎓 Obedience classes help bond and socialize
• 🧘 Set boundaries early (no couch? no bed?)
• 📆 Stick to a schedule: feeding, walks, and quiet time

🚶‍♂️ Exercise & Enrichment

• 🏞️ Dogs need physical and mental activity
• 👃 Try "sniff walks" where dogs can explore with their nose
• 🎾 Puzzle toys and training games fight boredom
• 🦴 Unspent energy often results in destructive behavior

❤️ Building Trust & Connection

• 🐶 Most dogs thrive on affection, patience, and consistency
• 🗣️ Speak calmly—dogs respond more to tone than words
• 🕰️ Spend quality time together daily (even if just relaxing)

⚠️ Toxic Foods & Substances

• 🚫 Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, grapes, raisins
• 🚫 Xylitol (found in gum & toothpaste), onions, garlic
• 🚫 NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or human meds
• ☎️ Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435 if ingestion occurs

🧠 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Bringing a dog home is like starting a new friendship. With time, patience, and proper care, your dog will blossom into the loyal companion you’ve always dreamed of. Set routines, make training fun, and keep vet care current. And most of all, enjoy every tail wag, nose nuzzle, and heartwarming moment. 🐕💛

📲 Need Support as a New Dog Parent?

Download the Ask A Vet app to get expert advice on diet, training, behavior, and more from licensed professionals like Dr Duncan Houston—anytime, anywhere. 🐾📱