Daily
Your first dog – how to get started
From preparation to the first week: what you really need – and what can wait.
Before a dog moves in, it's worth taking an honest look at your everyday life: a dog needs several hours a day for walks, activity and closeness – and that over ten to fifteen years. Added to this are ongoing costs for food, vet, insurance and the dog tax, which in Switzerland quickly add up to over 2,000 francs a year. Also settle in advance who will look after the dog during holidays or illness.
For the start, a manageable basic kit is enough: a lead and well-fitting harness, a water and food bowl, a quiet place to sleep, a means of securing the dog in the car and the food the dog already knows. Much else – toys, coats, gadgets – you can buy later in a targeted way, once you know your dog better.
The first few days decide a great deal: instead of a programme of visitors and outings, the dog above all needs calm, fixed routines for feeding and walks, and time to get to know its people and the new home. Let it arrive – a bond grows through reliability, not through action.