Becoming a dog owner for the first time is honestly one of the most exciting things you can do. Falling in love with them at the shelter, preparing your home to welcome them, and then spending that first night together with both of you happy and grateful. How could it get better than that? In addition to getting your new best buddy a strong leash, comfy bed, and plenty of toys, you can go the extra mile and download these 5 great must have apps for new dog owners to your phone to make your new life with your new pup easier than ever.
First, Look at Your Phone and Internet Connection
Before you start downloading any apps, you need to consider the age of your phone. Unfortunately, many older models have trouble running some of the newer apps. If your current phone isn’t up to the task, consider making the switch to something a little more reliable. Next, make sure your home internet is running smoothly. If not, it’s a good idea to upgrade to something faster and more dependable.
Pet First Aid by American Red Cross
First and foremost, the Pet First Aid app from the American Red Cross is a must-have for any new dog owners out there. It could make the difference between life and death when something happens to your dog. You can input your vet’s contact information to make it quick and easy to access in the event of an emergency, and you can also search for quick instructions on what you can do in different emergencies.
PupTox
Along the same lines as Pet First Aid, PupTox is a quick reference guide to over 250 things your dog may encounter that are toxic to them. You’ll no longer need to wonder about that scrap of human food they gobbled up out of the garbage — just check your phone! Along with toxicity information, you’ll also find symptoms your dog may present if they’ve ingested something they shouldn’t have, making it easy to get them the care they need quickly.
Tractive Dog Walk
Chances are, your new friend likes to stay as active as possible. An easy way to ensure they’re getting the exercise they need is to download Tractive Dog Walk. The Dog Walk app tracks the route you take on your walks, allows you to take pictures along the way, and even lets you mark where your dog went potty. This app is a must-have for dog walkers, so you can share with the dog’s owners exactly how much exercise their buddy got that day.
Whistle
If you have a big family, the Whistle app is a great way to make sure your dog’s needs don’t get lost in all the hubbub. Whistle works alongside their GPS tracker collar that your dog wears. You can track their daily activities in the app — things like “went for a run with Bob” or “went for a walk with Katie after school.” It not only tracks your walk routes, but it also works as a GPS tracker if your dog gets out, giving you that peace of mind that you’ll be able to find them quickly.
iTrainer Dog Whistle and Clicker
If your new dog needs a little work in the training department (and all dogs do!), then check out the iTrainer Dog Whistle and Clicker app. Clicker training is a tried-and-true form of training your dog to perform tasks when they hear a click. Simply give a treat after they perform your desired behavior with a click, and they’ll quickly learn the task.
Bringing a new dog into your home should be a fun and exciting time in your life. So, download any of these 5 must have apps for first time dog owners to make the transition just a little bit easier on the both of you, and your dog will feel at home in no time!
Additionally, if you find your pet is having a hard time transitioning to your home and is stressed upon arrival consider adding some THC free Pet CBD to help in reducing the initial stress of the new environment. Regular use of a trusted hemp based CBD oil has been shown to help pets adjust quicker to new homes with new dogs and owners. We recommend All Paws Essentials for the best tasting oils and treats.
Article by Jessica Brody.
