Preparing your home is the first step towards making your new pet feel safe, secure and loved. You can do this by making sure you have all of the basics, including
- Food and water dishes
- A comfortable place for your new pet to sleep
- A leash and collar
- A couple of durable toys for them to chew on. Often times, an adoptive pet will experience some initial anxiety and this may cause them to chew on things. If there are chew toys for them to use to work out some of that anxiety, it will save you a headache and frustration later.
Your new routine with your pet will be exciting. Feeding schedules, walks, playtime, etc. will be great bonding experiences for both of you. Be mindful that if you intend to feed your pet anything other than what they were fed prior to their arrival in your home, that there may be some initial stomach issues. It is best to have some of the old and new food and mix the two for a bit to get your new pet used to the new food. This will eliminate some of the issues. Also, be prepared for your new family member to lose their appetite for a bit in their new surroundings. The stress of this new environment may cause this and it is normal. If you are concerned, try offering them something extra delicious such as chicken or steak and see if they take it. If so, they are just going through the process of getting used to their new surroundings and will be ready to play and eat in no time. If not, it may be a good time to phone the vet and get their opinion.
A knowledgeable vet is a key piece of your new plan, finding and having one already in place who can get to know your pet from the beginning will be helpful. The shelter may have some recommendations and these are typically vets who have already been seeing the dogs so it is a great place to start.
Remember that it will take some time for your dog to adjust to her new home. Shelters and pet stores are stressful environments which can be chaotic and unstable. You will need to be patient while your new family member gets used new sites, smells routine and lifestyle. While you are allowing your new pet to get used to his family, make sure he also has some time alone as well. Having a plan in place to help your new friend acclimate will make the process easier for everyone.
Here are some simple guidelines to follow once you have brought your dog to her new home.
- First and foremost, it is important to keep your new pet on a leash which will make it easier to retain control if something spooks them. Since your new friend doesn’t know you yet, it is difficult to know how they will react if you attempt to grab them. Keeping a leash on them at all times allows you to easily control situations.
- It is equally important to control contact with other animals. These animals have spent time surrounded by other animals but have not been able to socialize in a productive way. You can never be sure how they will react to another pet or animal encounter so keeping things calm within the home will help your new pet calmly associate your home with a peaceful place. Help them learn that your home and family are their new safety net and soon they will recognize your voice as their human.
- Building communication is essential to their success in your home so beginning training immediately is vital to help build trust and mutual respect.
- Allow them to come to you in the beginning since they have been through a sort of trauma and creating trust without rushing a relationship will be crucial to your long term relationship.
- When you are unable to directly supervise your new friend, it is important for them to be crated. Offering them a safe place will help eliminate their need to scratch, bite, chew, dig, bark, or soil. Being crated keeps things calm and comfortable for both parties.
As your dog is adjusting to his new surroundings in Lakewood or Golden, it is a good idea to keep them supervised until they are more able to be alone for periods of time. Dog daycare facilities like Pet Peeves can help your new pet to adjust to a new lifestyle as well as help new owners to train and understand the behaviors of their new family member. Daycare facilities for dogs include indoor and outdoor activies, safe socialization opportunities, exercise and fun.
Dog boarding is also an option if you need to leave your pet overnight. These facilities offer wonderful options which include custom feeding schedules, private rooms, private dog runs, and other great ways to let your pet feel like they are on vacation as well.
Congratulations on your new pet! You have chosen to change their life for the better and you will find it in turn changes you. Enjoy them, play with them, love them, and they will do the same for you.
