So you have taken the plunge and adopted a dog of your own.
Congratulations! But what do you do now? No doubt you are excited
and looking forward to forging a lifelong friendship with your
new buddy. But try to keep in mind the confusion he or she is
feeling right now. Whatever his/her past history, coming home
with you is a new experience. They are likely to be a little
disoriented, and might wonder where they are and who all the
new people are.
The key to helping your dog make a successful adjustment to
your home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere
from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to
one another! The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition:
SUPPLIES: Prepare the things your dog will
need in advance if possible. You'll need a crate, collar and
leash, food and water bowls, and of course, some toys. And don't
forget to get an ID tag right away.
HEALTH CARE: Animal shelters take in animals
with widely varying backgrounds, some of which have not been
fully vaccinated. Inevitably, despite the best efforts of the
shelter workers, viruses can spread and may occasionally go
home with adopted animals. If you already have a dog at home,
make sure they are up-to-date on their shots and in good general
health before introducing your new dog.
Take your new dog to the vet within a week after adoption.
There he will receive a health check and needed vaccinations.
If your dog has not been spayed or neutered, make an appointment!
There are already far too many homeless dogs and cats; don't
let your pet add to the problem! * It is a Homeward Trails policy
that ALL dogs and cats adopted through our organization MUST
be spayed or neutered at maturity or in case of maturity, within
2 weeks after adoption!!
HOUSEBREAKING: Assume your new dog is NOT
completely housebroken, and work from there. Be consistent and
maintain a routine! A little extra effort on your part to come
home straight from work each day will pay off in easier, faster
housebreaking. *Homeward Trails recommends a midday walk for
dogs that are being left at home for most of the day. There
is a list of dog walking services on our website.
CRATING: A crate might look like the canine
equivalent of a jail cell, but to your dog, who instinctively
likes to den, it's a room of his or her own. It makes housebreaking
and training easier and saves your dog the headache from being
yelled at unnecessarily for problem behavior. Of course, you
won't want to crate your dog all day or night, or he will consider
it a jail cell. Just a few regular hours a day should be sufficient.
The crate should not contain wire where their collar or paws
can get caught, and should be roomy enough to allow your dog
to stand up, turn around, and sit comfortably in a normal posture.
DOG PROOFING: You need to look at your home
now as you never have before. Dogs and puppies can get into
numerous things that can harm or kill them. Look for electrical
wires that they can chew on. Look for string that they can eat
(string that is eaten can quickly kill a pet by wrapping around
the intestines). Look for chemicals, detergents or cleaning
agents that are poisonous. Look for places that they might get
stuck in or under. Make sure your fence is secure on all sides.
Consider blocking off balconies or stairs where you pet might
fall. Move breakable items. Prepare for accidents on your carpets
and chew marks on your furniture. Set your new pet up for success
by not giving him the opportunity to damage your home or hurt
himself!
*Information Provided by The Humane Society of the United
States.
