Adopting a dog is quite possibly one of the coolest things that you can hope to do.
At the end of the day, there are so many dogs who are out there that are in need of a loving home with plenty of structure.
If you want to help them then you need to make sure that you settle them in quickly so that you can give them the most love possible during the adjustment period.
Be Patient
You probably have a good idea of what to expect with your new dog, and this is understandable. At the same time though, you have to remember that Rome was not built in a day.
You are going to have to make sure that you have a lot of time and patience so that you can acclimate your dog properly to their new environment. At this point, you have to remember that you are both strangers to one another.
You do not know your dog’s full personality and they don’t know yours either. Your dog doesn’t know what they should be expecting from you, so make sure that you are patient with them so that you can get into the groove.
If they have a blanket at the shelter, bring it home with you so they have some familiarity. If they don’t, buy them their own. Sites like Woof Blankets have plenty available if you want something with a bit of personality.
Plan Ahead
The day that you choose to bring your dog home is going to be crazy, to say the least. You are going to have so much to think about and you will also need to make sure that you help the transition too.
It’s incredibly important that you plan. For starters, you need to block off your calendar for around 4 days in advance.
You also need to take some time off work if possible. You need to make sure that you bond with them and that you show them that you are not going to give them up.
With this in mind, you need to dog-proof your house. This is especially the case if you have a younger dog. Pet gates are ideal if you want to make sure that you do not have any hazards around your home that could cause them harm.
Get the Basics Done
The dog aisle of the store will have everything you could ever need, whether it is some crazy chews or some cute blankets. Before you know it, you may find that your cart is full but your wallet is empty.
That being said, it’s helpful that you resist the urge. To begin with, your dog will just need the basics. When you get to know their personality, their likes, dislikes and more, you can then begin to move onto the much more fun stuff.
This will help you to stop overspending and it will give them time to focus on the important stuff so make sure that you keep that in mind.
Make their Bed Smell Good
If you want your dog to be comfortable, you have to make their bed smell good. You need to rub your hands on the new bed, or you can even try and put an old t-shirt on it if you want. You can check out dog bed wholesale for some nice beds.
At the end of the day, your scent will really help them to feel more comfortable. If you want to take things to that next level, then you can try and ask the shelter for an old toy of the dog’s so you can put this in the bed for them. This will help them to recognise the fact that the bed is theirs.
Lots of Treats and Praise
Believe it or not, treats, toys and even praise can help your dog to warm up to their new environment. Every time your dog goes near to their bed, make sure that you treat them.
When they approach you on their own accord, treat this behaviour too. The more your dog sees your home as being theirs, the better as this will help them to feel safe and it will also give them the chance to truly relax and unwind.
Set Some House Rules
You have to make sure that you have a set of house rules if possible. Your dog needs to know from the start, what they can do and what they cannot. If you are getting a puppy as a rescue, then you need to teach them to use the bathroom outside.
You may also want to stop them from jumping on your knee as well. The main reason for this is because when they get bigger, they will become much harder to handle and the last thing that you need is a 35kg dog jumping all over you when you are trying to work or relax.
Introduce Strangers
If you get a rescue dog then they may have had a bad start in life. It may be that they were not treated kindly or that they had issues with children. Either way, any new strangers that come into your home should do so in a quiet manner.
You also have to make sure that you ask them to be patient with your dog and that you set some ground rules as to what they need to do when they come inside.
This will help your dog to understand that people coming into their space is a good thing and that there’s nothing to be scared about.
If your dog is overly excited at the thought of company then you need to make sure that you teach them to be calm, because if you don’t then you may have even more issues on your hand at a later date when they are not able to focus if someone else is in the room.
Of course, getting a rescue dog can be a fantastic experience, but you do have to do your part to ensure that they know the rules, are trained continually and most of all, welcomed as being part of the family.
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