Am I Boring My Dog? (7 page)

Puppies and adult dogs have slightly different needs, but the essentials are the same: food, shelter, basic cable (okay, entertainment). Your needs, in contrast, tend to center around keeping your new pal from escaping and/or destroying stuff.

To those ends, you’ll want to lay in the following:

I’ll go into detail about most of these items in later chapters. But except for investing in high-quality food
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and a decent crate for an adult dog, don’t, I repeat, don’t, spend much money on any of them. Clean towels or blankets make good temporary beds for dogs who may not have their bathroom habits under complete control. Your pooch won’t be impressed by the glaze on an expensive ceramic bowl, and you’ll only be irritated if she’s not interested in—or quickly demolishes—that pricey stuffed bear. Besides, you’ll discover that after you get a dog, your friends will buy gifts for her instead of for you. Let them shell out the money for the good stuff.

Some experts recommend buying a toothbrush and grooming tools, including nail clippers, to get your dog accustomed to his toilette right off the bat. I think it’s okay to allow him some lapses in personal hygiene for a few weeks, until he gets to know and trust you a bit. (I draw the line at a dog that’s rolled in something disgusting, in which case a prompt shampooing is called for.)

Meditate. Play racquetball. Watch dumb movies. Do whatever it is you usually do to relax (except for drinking heavily; you’ve got too much to accomplish). Both you and your new dog are going to be under a good deal of stress initially; accept that and try to minimize it.