February is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, and to celebrate this, we wanted to bring you some useful tips and advice to help any new dog owners or anyone considering adopting a dog. Getting a dog is so exciting, but owning a dog is a huge responsibility and there are a lot of things to think about!

Consider Adopting

It is so important that when you are looking at getting a dog to consider adopting a shelter dog. According to a survey from MARDA Dog Rescue, there are over 3000 dogs in shelters with hundreds more on waiting lists across Ireland in 2024,

So many dogs are waiting for their perfect home, and they could be the perfect fit for you!

It is important to consider that many shelter dogs need extra TLC, love and a stable environment – and you may need to think about if this is something you can offer them long term.

Finding The Right Dog for You

Depending on your lifestyle and routine, you may be better fitted to a specific breed of dog.

For example, if you are highly active and have more time and space, a high energy breed may be better.

On the other hand, a low energy breed or smaller dog may be the best option if you don’t have much garden space or are less active. It’s important to take into account your garden size, and free time for training and find a dog breed that suits your lifestyle.

Also, it is useful to figure out if you would be better with a puppy, adult, or senior dog.

Make sure to do thorough research on breed and life stage before getting your dog.

Bringing Your Dog Home

When you bring your new dog home, you should have some things ready for their arrival. We have included a list below of useful things to think about getting your dog to come home.

• A comfortable dog bed or crate
• A collar/harness and lead
• Poo bags for walks
• Food and water bowls
• Toys for them to play with, we recommend getting a range of different toys to figure out what your dog prefers
• A complete dog food

Brandy Dog Food is a nutritionally complete meal for dogs and is perfect for ensuring your new dog is getting all the nutrients they require for their new life with you!

Visiting The Vet

We recommend taking them to a trusted vet to get all their vaccinations if they need them, and it’s also a good idea to consider getting them microchipped. Microchipping will be extremely helpful if your dog escapes and is the best option for being returned to you if they get lost.

RSPCA has a lot of useful information on microchipping which you can view here - https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/microchipping#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20pets%20are%20lost,they%20get%20lost%20or%20stolen.

Getting Settled

When settling your new dog into your home, it’s important to spend some time with them to help them get used to your and their new environment. It’s a good idea to have a steady routine in your home for your dog to get used to initially, and introducing things slowly.

Another useful thing for helping your dog to settle in is to provide them with a safe space to go to. It can be quite an anxious time for some dogs, and a safe space can help comfort them during this period.

Battersea has more helpful information on settling your dog into your home - https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/search-dog-advice/how-settle-your-new-puppy-or-dog

At Brandy Dog Food, we’re here to support your dog’s new journey with delicious and complete food that keeps your dog happy and healthy from day one.

Here’s to a lifetime of joy and companionship!