As I mentioned in Part I to this post, our decision to get a dog turned out to me more complicated than we thought, but it was a lot of fun. We drove out in the country to a great breeder we had researched, and there he was (much to my Rooster’s chagrin): Dancer, the tiny toy poodle. My Rooster immediately started humming the Elton John song Tiny Dancer in his head, while the chicks nervously but joyously said hello. Dancer was excited, cute and irresistible, so of course we committed to taking him home. This started Phase 2 of the great dog commitment. We didn’t have ANY supplies yet, so when we got back to town, we hit the local pet superstore to gear up and go home to get Dancer settled in. Here are the top five things we learned from the experience:

1. Get supplies before you get the dog, or as soon as possible afterward. Make sure you have an appropriate kennel, a place in your house for your dog, food, leashes, dishes and toys so you are not scrambling for supplies while trying to integrate the dog into your home. Routine is important to help both you and your dog settle in, so having the supplies available right away with help with a smooth transition.

2. Take it to the vet as soon as possible. Make sure it is healthy and gets any upfront care it needs. It will save time, money and heartache going forward.

3. Don’t forget the pup WILL go potty, often, and it could be on your floor or in your neighbor’s yard, so be prepared to do house training. And don’t forget to take a bag with you on a walk. Occasionally, I send my Rooster out with Dancer and that is a particularly nice way to handle the messes! Let me tell you, he REALLY classes up the neighborhood when he heads out at night and in the morning in his pajamas with a bright blue doggy bag.

4. Buy a book or use credible online resources for tips on training your dog. Taking the time and setting boundaries upfront will help keep you sane and ultimately enhance everyone’s enjoyment.

5. Have Fun! We all love our dog and it is a great addition to the home. Sure, there are a few accidents and upsets here and there, but overall, we have a lot of fun with Dancer. He is excited to see us all the time, we take it on fun family walks, and play outside while the sun is shining.

Dancer has been a great addition to our family, and with a little effort upfront, we have all had a chance to have fun and enjoy the excitement he brings to our house. How about you? Any tips for caring for, training or integrating a dog into the home? We’d love to hear your stories.