Adding to your family is a big decision. When you’ve decided to rescue a dog from a shelter, it’s an especially exciting and rewarding time for the entire family. It’s a great feeling to give a warm and loving home to a dog that has, in some cases, an uncertain future, and a history that hasn’t always been pleasant.
Adopting a dog, however, is a big responsibility, and there are important steps to take in order to be ready for your pup’s homecoming. According to the Humane Society’s website, “ It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other.” In order to get started on the right foot –or paw—here’s a list of tips to help you in this new endeavor.
6 Tips for Brining Home Your Adopted Dog
- Plan Ahead – Bring home your new pup on a weekend when you can spend a few days with him getting to know each other. Limit other guests during this time. Remember to keep paying attention to your other pets and people in the house so that jealousy doesn’t rear its ugly head. Also, determine where he will sleep at night and what rooms and/or furniture is off-limits so you are all on the same page.
- Divvy Up Duties – Determine ahead of time who will walk your new pup and how often, who will feed him in the morning and at night, and who will take him out for ‘last call’ before bedtime.
- Housetraining – Some rescue dogs are housetrained and others are not. Even dogs that are housetrained can act differently in new environments. So, assume your new pup is not, do some reading on how to housetrain a dog, and plan accordingly for letting the dog out during the day. Keeping a routine and maintaining consistency is imperative to success. Also, be patient. Click for tips on housetraining.
- See the Vet – One week after you bring your pup home, see your veterinarian. Most rescue dogs have been vaccinated and spayed/neutered. If that’s not the case, arrange for surgery. There are too many homeless dogs.
- Who’s the Boss? – It’s important to maintain consistency with your house rules. Your new dog needs to know that YOU are the pack leader, not him. If he begins to think that he’s the pack leader, behavioral problems can result.
- To Crate or Not to Crate – A crate may look like a cruel cage to humans, but dogs like them because they are similar to a den. They feel safe in there — but should not spend the entire day in their crate! A variety of types are on the market. Regardless, a crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and lie in comfortably. Be careful that it doesn’t contain wire that could catch your dog’s claws or collar. If a crate isn’t an option for you, try using a baby gate to block-off your laundry room or mud room, after you have dog-proofed it. Click for more tips on crate training.
