Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth transition for your new fur baby.
Finding the Perfect Pup
The Gruenberg’s settled on a small, allergy-friendly breed, but for many families, the decision is not so simple. A good way to begin the research is by taking the American Kennel Club’s quick quiz. It will help you figure out which breeds match your family’s lifestyle based on the dogs’ energy levels, trainability, barking tolerance, activity preferences, and how much space you have in your home. For example, labrador retriever, bulldog, golden retriever, beagle, and pug are all great for young families.
Once you figure out the type of dog you want, ask friends and neighbors for referrals for reputable breeders—or use the American Kennel Club as a resource to find what puppies are available in our area.
If you prefer to adopt, check out the available puppies and older dogs—many are housebroken and fully trained—at local shelters, such as the SPCA Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford, and the Humane Society of Westchester in New Rochelle. The staff should be able to provide information about their animals’ health and behavioral needs to help you determine which dog is ideal for your family.
The Amedeo family of Rye first met 5-month-old Tilly in September 2023 at an Adopt-a-Dog event in South Salem. The mixed breed puppy—primarily American Eskimo and poodle, a rescue from a dog hoarding case in Tennessee—stole their hearts. Within a week, he was integrated seamlessly into their lives.
The Amedeo children, Bree, 12, and Bowie, 5 at the time, were thrilled to have a pet (Bree had been begging for a while at that point). “Suddenly they had something to care for that was greater than themselves and that they were responsible for. And they really leaned into it,” their mom Stephanie says. “Introducing Tilly into our lives has unified us to do more things together because we all really love being involved with her.”
The American Kennel Club and the Humane Society recommend visiting a dog at least two or three times to get a sense of his personality, behavior, and how well he’ll interact with you. Observing the shelter dog in different situations helps you make an informed choice about whether he is the right fit for your home and lifestyle. Some shelters will let you foster the dog in your home for a few days to several weeks to gauge his temperament and needs.
Welcome Home! Now What?
You’ve found the perfect pooch, and it’s time to help her settle in. The rule of thumb is 3-3-3: three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the ropes, and three months to fully adjust. Experts advise keeping your dog close with a hands-free leash for those first few weeks so she learns to pay attention to you, and you can keep an eye on her to avoid house-training accidents. For the first six months, crate her during the day for one hour per month of age (two hours for a 2-month-old, three for a 3-month-old) and let her sleep in the crate overnight.
The crate becomes the dog’s safe space, so make sure the crate is big enough for her to stand, lie down, and turn around—and use treats and praise to encourage her to go in. Leave the door open when you’re home but close it at night—or if you have to go out for a couple of hours—so the dog won’t have an accident or get into things around the house.
Consider using gates indoors to limit access to stairs, off-limits rooms, or other pets, and a fence around your yard. Watch closely for the first week or so to spot any escape routes. When you first get a dog, it’s like having a curious toddler with four legs. You should go outside together and stay vigilant—and always watch for chewing, accidents, or anything she might get into.
Care and Feeding
Your new family member requires a substantial investment of time, energy, effort—and money. According to Humane Society Westchester manager Tiffany Rivera, most rescue dogs are surrendered because the owner “didn’t think it through,” and couldn’t cover the cost or spend the time for proper care.
The prices vary based on the dog’s size, breed, and your location, but according to information from the American Kennel Club and the Humane Society, first-year expenses (including training, equipment, food, and veterinary care) can range from $800 to $1,500:
Training: Basic obedience classes typically cost between $100 and $300 for a six-week course. Private lessons or specialized training can be more expensive (about $100 per hour). Not every dog will need professional training, and you can find free training videos online.
Equipment: Initial supplies, such as a leash, collar, food and water bowls, toys, crate, and bedding typically range from $100 to $300.
Food: Costs vary depending on the brand and the dog’s size, but on average, you’ll spend $30 to $60 per month for a mediumsized dog. This can go up if you choose (or must use) premium or specialty diet food.
Veterinary Care: For the first year, vet expenses can range from $300 to $600 or more, depending on the dog’s vaccination needs, spaying or neutering, and general health. Routine check-ups, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and any unforeseen health issues could add to the cost.
The Best Ways to House-Train
Your biggest job with a new pup is house-training. Plan to take her out at least every two hours during the day (they can hold it in for about one hour for every month of age), first thing in the morning, during and after playing, and after eating or drinking.
If you’re unable to take your dog outside frequently or in case of bad weather, pads or litter boxes (filled with absorbent, grass-like pellets) can serve as a useful backup. However, if you’re aiming for an outdoor bathroom routine, relying on indoor pads may delay or complicate the transition.
Advice for Good Behavior
Experts say the sweet spot for teaching good habits is when your pup is 7 to 12 weeks old. Socializing is also a must during the first six months—lots of positive interactions with other dogs and people will help prevent fear and aggression. And don’t forget the treats: Reward your dog with snacks (check the ingredients and talk to your vet about any food sensitivities) when they nail commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “lie down,” “drop it,” “leave it,” and “go to crate.” Your efforts in the early days will pay off.
Hastings-on-Hudson resident Michael Rudnick, a certified dog behavior advisor and owner of Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training-Westchester, not only trains dogs but also teaches their owners how to manage their pets with calm and confident leadership. “A well-trained dog is not only well-behaved but also a joy to have at home, as the dog understands what’s expected and relies on its owner’s leadership,” Rudnick says.
Your dog’s temperament and your own goals will help you determine whether to use either in-home training, which tends to be more convenient and allows the trainer to see the dog’s environment and address any safety hazards, or a board-and-train program, where the dog stays with the trainer who also provides follow-up sessions in the owner’s home to ensure success.
Want your dog to ace training? Get the whole family involved. Consistency is key, and when everyone pitches in, it builds clear communication. Children can play a big role—little ones can learn safe interactions, while older kids can take on more hands-on training. Rudnick agrees that it can be fun for kids to get involved, but “parents should always be supervising, always be in charge.”
Common misbehaviors like jumping, pulling, nipping, biting, destructiveness, and incomplete housebreaking can be addressed with the right guidance, commands, and rewards. Challenging issues like separation distress, aggressive behavior, and leash reactivity can also be resolved—if the owner works with the trainer and does the homework to prevent the behavior from becoming a serious problem. “The owner has to follow very, very carefully and closely what I teach them,” says Rudnick. “When [undesirable behavior] is fixed, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
A year after they adopted Tilly, the Amedeos got two more puppies, littermates Tinkerbell and Tuck, pit bull chihuahua mixes, also from Adopt-a-Dog. They signed up for 10 small-group training sessions for the dogs to learn basic commands, and they bought pet insurance, which has kept costs down.
Stephanie says it’s been good to see her kids “leaning toward second chances” through their dogs. “They understand these dogs ended up in a situation that they shouldn’t have been in. And, you know, they’re really great dogs.”
For the Gruenbergs, nurturing Loki and two more pups has been transformational. “To be able to take care of a dog and be loved by a dog—it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced,” says Dara. “It’s the greatest joy, the best thing ever, when your dog greets you like it’s the happiest moment of their entire life every time you walk in the door.”
Vaccination Guide
A puppy will need proper shots, if not already administered by a breeder or shelter (shelters charge a nominal fee or include shots in the overall adoption fee). And it’s important to start your pet on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention right away. The specific medications depend on your dog’s age and size, so it’s best to consult with your vet to get the right treatment plan. The initial, core vaccines include:
- Rabies – A fatal, viral disease. Required by law in most states.
- Distemper – A highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Parvovirus – A severe and often deadly virus that attacks the digestive system.
- Adenovirus (hepatitis) – A virus that can cause liver disease.
Puppy vaccination schedule usually follows this timeline:
- 6-8 weeks: First round of core vaccines
- 10-12 weeks: Second round of core vaccines
- 14-16 weeks: Final round of core vaccines
- 16 weeks and older: Rabies vaccine (must be boosted annually)
- Boosters: Typically given annually or as recommended by your vet
Tips for Success
Dog ownership requires time and money—and lots of equipment. Here’s a look at what you need to know.
When Choosing a Dog, Consider
- Whether to adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder: Shelters charge a nominal adoption fee ($350 at the Humane Society covers vaccinations, microchip, and spay/neuter, and training is free); many shelter dogs are already housebroken and accustomed to family life; purebred puppies usually are not and buying a puppy from a breeder is expensive, plus vets charge up to $1,000 for spay/neuter procedures.
- Non-shedding, hypoallergenic: preferable if you have allergies or dislike cleaning up pet hair
- Size (mini, small, medium, large)
- Personality (friendly, playful, calm, exuberant)
- Purebred or mutt
Training Your Dog
Watch YouTube or ASPCA videos for DIY training, or choose group classes, or in-home or board-and-train services. If you decide to hire a private trainer, choose one who:
- uses food and reward-based positive reinforcement and has an educational qualification in dog training
- has insurance
- is a member of a professional organization
- participates in ongoing continuing education
Equipment
There are plenty of local shops to purchase everything you need including Pet Pantry Warehouse in Larchmont and Scarsdale, Bark and Meow in Tarrytown, Aardvark Pet Supplies in Thornwood, All Paws in Rye, Croton Pet Station in Croton-on-Hudson, and Choice Pet Supply’s various locations.
- Indoors Use gates to keep dogs out of certain rooms and crates for confinement and bedtime.
- Outdoors Perimeter wireless or physical fence. A wireless fence is best if your dog loves to dig or climb.
- Leash, body harness, and flat collars, pinch collars, or head halters: Consider your dog’s behavior, size, and strength when choosing among these options. A harness is preferable; collars can cause injuries.
Health Care
- Veterinarian: Try word-of-mouth referrals and check online reviews.
- Prescription diet: This may be necessary if your dog is sensitive or allergic to certain foods; your vet will advise you. Can be ordered online or purchased at the vet; some varieties are available at pet stores.
- Teeth cleaning services (by a vet or groomer): Recommended annually but may be needed more often if your dog has dental health problems.
- Vaccinations (DHPP, rabies, etc.): Administer every 2-4 weeks for puppies up to 16 weeks; frequency varies for older dogs.
- Deworming: Regular testing and treatment for parasites.
- Spaying (female) and neutering (male): Usually done at 6-8 months of age for smaller dogs, 12-18 months for larger breeds. Shelter pets typically are already “fixed.”
- Microchipping: An implanted device that can be used to track and reunite a lost animal with its family. A nominal fee ($25-$60) covers insertion and registered tracking for 25 years.
- Pet insurance: Not essential but can help cover the costs of unexpected medical emergencies or illness. The average cost is about $50/month, but varies by age of the pet, deductible and annual/per incident maximums selected, and other factors.
Related: 6 Doggy Daycares Made for Four-Legged Friends in Westchester County
