Adding to your family is a big decision. When youâve decided to rescue a dog from a shelter, itâs an especially exciting and rewarding time for the entire family. Itâs 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 hasnât 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 pupâs homecoming. According to the Humane Societyâs website, â It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other.â In order to get started on the right foot âor pawâhereâs a list of tips to help you in this new endeavor.
6 Tips for Brining Home Your Adopted Dog
- Plan Ahead â 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 doesnât 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 â 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 âlast callâ before bedtime.
- Housetraining â 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 â One week after you bring your pup home, see your veterinarian. Most rescue dogs have been vaccinated and spayed/neutered. If thatâs not the case, arrange for surgery. There are too many homeless dogs.
- Whoâs the Boss? â Itâs 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 heâs the pack leader, behavioral problems can result.
- To Crate or Not to Crate â 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 â 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 doesnât contain wire that could catch your dogâs claws or collar. If a crate isnât 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.
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