Congratulations! You just adopted a new dog over the holidays. What a magical time in so many ways. You followed your heart to finding your new furry family member, and you probably want to start off on the right paw. Here are some tips and reminders to make this transition as joyful as the season.

— It might seem silly, but get down on hands and knees and look at your surroundings from dog eye level. If you still have holiday decorations up, consider whether your dog can chew or choke on, knock over or ingest any of it.

While you are down on your hands and knees, check the perimeter of your yard for holes. This is a good time to make sure your fences are secure too.

— Taking down front yard decorations? Be sure to close the gate behind you. Fido isn’t used to his surroundings yet and an open gate might be his escape route.

— Schedule a check up with your veterinarian. If your dog is from a shelter or rescue organization he or she is likely neutered or spayed already. If not, check with your vet for the recommended age for either procedure. There are already more pets than homes and you don’t want to add to the statistics. Your vet can make sure your new dog is up to date on all of his shots and has been microchipped too. It’s a good idea to be familiar with the location of your emergency vet- just in case.

— Contact a recommended trainer to get your new dog learning what you expect of him in your home, socialized with other dogs, and bonding with you and your family. If there are no classes in session right now, ask the trainer if they can come do a private class.

— Does Rover need a bath or grooming? If the idea of making a mess in your tub, or leaning over while bathing him doesn’t sound appealing, then try a cost efficient doggie dunk where the tubs are elevated and they clean up the mess. Or do you know a trusted groomer? You can either take your dog to the local groomer or research a mobile groomer who will come to you.

— Got kids? There are many resources to teach children how to act safely around dogs. Meanwhile, since your dog is new to your family, be sure to supervise at all times while everyone is getting acquainted. Learn about dog body language so that you are educated and can teach your children the basics.

— Potty training a pup? Consistency and a gentle tone work wonders. Be sure to set him up for success by taking him out frequently- especially if he’s just awakened, eaten or been playing.

— When you go out, your new dog should be confined to a crate or a room where he can’t do any damage or get into any trouble. Be sure to consult a professional trainer about proper crate training.

— Muster up all the patience you can, especially in the first few days and weeks. You are getting to know one another and it can be trying. But the unconditional love is well worth it! Spend as much time with your new pup as possible as he transitions into your family. Take lots of walks together. It’s a great opportunity to get to know him, for him to get to know your neighborhood and for you both to get much needed exercise. It takes a bit of time but you will hit your stride and won’t remember a holiday season that he wasn’t part of the family.

— Spend as much time with your new pup as possible as he transitions into your family. Take lots of walks together. It’s a great opportunity to get to know him, for him to get to know your neighborhood and for you both to get much needed exercise. It takes a bit of time but you will hit your stride and won’t remember a holiday season that he wasn’t part of the family.

Doing all of these things will help ensure your new pup safely transitions to his new home and you two will start creating a positive bond right away.

For more information about bringing a new dog into your home, pick up a copy of my book What to Expect When Adopting a Dog. This book is a guide to successful dog adoption for every family and offers expert advice from rescue specialists, veterinarians, dog parents, and pet professionals. Consider it a one-stop shop for all dog-related questions, before, during, and after adoption.