A Survival Guide for New Dog Parents

I collected advice from the best dog moms I know before I become one tomorrow.

The love of my life, Oliver

If you told me even a year ago that I'd be getting a dog this weekend, I wouldn't believe you. It's something I've wanted but held off on forever, and after making a very extensive pros and cons list, I decided it was time to just do it.

Oliver hasn’t even stepped paw into my apartment yet, and I'm already completely obsessed with him. I've shown his picture to at least five strangers this week, and I already started a photo album for him on my phone. I always wondered how people became those dog parents — the ones who talk about their dogs constantly — but I’ve already managed to transform into that person. I'm already researching the best groomers, vets and dog parks and debating whether Oliver needs a rain jacket. (He doesn’t, right?)

Since I'm just one day away from official dog parenthood and clearly already in too deep, it felt like the perfect time to ask some of the dog moms I trust about their best tips and tricks. Because if I'm going to make my dog my whole personality, I might as well do it right.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you can teach a new dog old tricks. That's how the saying goes, right?

Hunter Harris, dog mom, writer of Hung Up + co-host of Lemme Say This

When it comes to grooming, start with blowouts or just baths when they’re young every few weeks — versus doing a full grooming on their first visit. They get dirty so easily, and it gets them used to the groomer and what to expect! Remy’s energy after her first groomer trip (just a bath and nail trim, no haircut) to her third (actually a full grooming) was way easier.

Dianna Mazzone Singh, dog mom, Allure features director + founder of Dianna Singh, a clothing company she launched this week

It’s going to be intense, but then you just sort of forget about it, and you are so happy for years and years! Also, if you have a rug you care about, remove it now. This toy is great and distracted my pup for long enough for me to take an almost completely uninterrupted shower.

Ashley Coiffard, dog mom + co-owner of L’Appartement 4F

Your dog might be picky about which treats they like, and that’s okay. Once you find treats that they love, stick with them. There’s no need to overcomplicate it. Ashley’s pup Chip loves these treats from Stella & Chewy’s. Also, when I first got Chip, someone recommended having his bed raised, and we’ve done it ever since. (And the internet confirms this. Elevated beds can help with enhanced comfort, improved airflow, and better hygiene.) Also, check out my interview with Ashley here.

Skye Rubel, dog mom, camp friend + thought leadership manager at Google

My biggest tip is to start crate training your dog early! They don’t like it at first, but then it becomes a safe haven for them and makes sleeping so much easier.

Olivia Rosenberg, dog mom + my friend of 10 years

Be patient. Puppies and even older dogs are legitimately hard, and it feels like it won’t get better. But it does. Get them used to the crate and, as hard as it is, practice leaving them alone. Those are the biggest hurdles. It’s going to be hard, but it’s worth it and they do grow out of all the bad habits.

Clare O’Connor, new dog mom, writer + editor

We’re glad we’ve firmly stuck to a routine, that’s for sure — including overnight. Mabel (a nine-week-old miniature schnauzer) quickly figured out why I’m taking her outside at midnight, 2am, 4am, and 6am, thankfully. She does her business speedily so I can go back to bed. The less tired I am, the better equipped I am to deal with her in the daytime. In the meantime, soak in all the sleep and alone time you can.

Lauren Ringdahl, dog mom + fifth grade teacher

A game we like is a treat scatter. Maybe it’s obvious to dog owners, but we hide treats all over the house like an egg hunt, and she sniffs them out. It’s a mental exercise — as well as physical — and it tires her out on rainy or cold days when we can’t do long walks.

Cathy Rong, dog mom + Questlove’s Chief of Staff

We peeled and froze carrots in the freezer and gave them to our pup when he was teething. Now he loves them as healthy “popsicle” treats. Also! Mix frozen blueberries and broccoli with kibble. (You can read my recent interview with Cathy for The Cut here.)

Deena Shanker, new dog mom + writer

I’ve found a few tricks that help my pup sleep: First, a crate cover made for the crate, that blocks out light and fits the crate just right. Much better than a blanket. Second, a sound machine to drown out noise or do whatever it does that seems to calm her. Third — and one I learned with my last dog, Barley — take the shirt off your back and put it in the crate. The shirt closest to your skin, that you’ve been wearing all day, ideally not something you’d be upset if it ended up with a little pee or a chew hole in it. That works like a charm.

Amanda Coffee, dog mom + CEO of Coffee Communications

Attend a puppy play class before your pup gets vaccinated. It’s super helpful for their socialization. (She recommends the Andrea Arden Dog Training classes.)

Alex Moon, dog mom, friend + Brooklyn neighbor

We’re trying to implement taking a squirt water bottle on our walks and washing away Jackson’s pee whenever he pees on concrete. We saw people doing it all over Asia and thought it was so respectful!

Christine Sun, dog mom, lawyer and cousin

These are really excellent high-value treats to reward your pups during training and behavior maintenance. And I can never resist a good bandana or leash from The Foggy Dog.

In 24 hours, I'll officially be responsible for keeping a dog alive and happy. Based on how much research I've already done (and how much I care), I think I'm going to be just fine. Or completely overwhelmed. Probably both. Thanks for being here and reading Extra Credit. 🐾