The 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting My Dog
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Dear Dog Lover,
Let me tell you about the night everything changed.
It was late, the stars were out, and I had just brought home this tiny, wiggly, bright-eyed puppy who would soon become the center of my world.
Her name? Luna.
She was all floppy ears and soft fur, smelling like puppy breath and possibilities.
And in that moment, I knew:
This wasn’t just a dog.
This was going to be family.
I thought I was prepared.
I’d read the blogs, bought the gear, even followed a few dog trainers online.
But within days of Luna arriving, I realized...
I had no idea what I was doing.
Don’t get me wrong—bringing her home was the best thing I’ve ever done.
But I also cried. I panicked. I second-guessed everything from food choices to whether she loved me.
So now, years later, after countless walks, hundreds of hours of research, chats with vets, and deep, soul-changing moments with Luna…
I’m here to share the real stuff.
The 5 things I wish I knew before getting my dog.
If you’re just starting out, I hope this saves you from some of the chaos.
And if you’ve had your dog for years, maybe it’ll make you smile and think, “Yup, been there.”
1. Your Dog Will Mirror Your Energy — Luna Showed Me That in Week One
When I was anxious, she paced.
When I was calm, she melted into me.
And the first time I cried, she didn’t run—she climbed right into my lap and stayed.
Luna taught me early on that dogs aren’t just animals. They’re emotional barometers.
They absorb you. Reflect you. React to you.
You want a calm, confident dog? Be a calm, confident human.
You want a joyful dog? Show them joy.
Luna helped me become someone worth mirroring.
2. Puppy Training Is Less About Discipline and More About Dialogue
I used to think, “Why can’t she just get it?”
Then I realized… she was trying.
Every accident Luna had wasn’t defiance—it was a cry for clarity.
She needed consistency. Patience. Encouragement.
So I changed my approach.
And you know what happened? She nailed it.
Because she wanted to.
Because dogs want to please you—they just need to understand how.
3. Enrichment Isn’t a Bonus—It’s a Lifeline
I’ll never forget the first time I gave Luna a frozen peanut butter Kong.
She went from hyper, frustrated chaos to laser-focused problem solver.
And afterwards? Snuggly nap queen.
Dogs need jobs. Play. Purpose.
Now, enrichment is part of our daily life.
We sniff on walks. We play hide-and-seek. We do mini training sessions just to make her brain hum.
Tired brain, happy dog.
And with Luna, I swear, enrichment turned her from “energetic puppy” to “peaceful soul.”
4. You Will Mess Up. A Lot. Love Them Anyway.
I yelled once. Luna flinched.
My heart shattered.
That was the day I promised her I’d never let frustration outweigh love.
Since then, we’ve both messed up. She’s chewed shoes. I’ve missed signals.
But we always come back to the same place: connection.
Dogs don’t need perfect people.
They need present people.
5. This Dog Will Teach You More Than Any Book Ever Could
Luna taught me patience.
She taught me presence.
She taught me how to sit in silence and just be.
She reminded me to go outside. To explore. To greet strangers with kindness.
To forgive quickly and love without condition.
Luna made me more human.
So if you’re thinking about getting a dog, or you just brought one home, or you’re lying in bed wondering if you’re doing it right…
Let me say this:
You’re not just training a dog.
You’re building a life together.
One walk, one cuddle, one moment at a time.
And if you do it with love?
Your Luna—whoever they are—will love you back more fiercely and purely than you ever imagined possible.
With muddy paws and a full heart,
Chloe & Luna 🐾
P.S. If this resonated with you, share it with someone who’s about to start their own dog journey. Luna and I have so much more to share with you. Stay tuned.
