YOU JUST RESCUED A DOG...NOW WHAT?
So you have done a loving, giving thing and rescued a dog. Many adopters are not sure how to move forward to help their new family member adapt and settle in.
First of all, and likely the most important, the adoption agency has been diligent in determining the dog and new adopter are a good match ( nervous shy dogs are not likely to be a good match for a super busy house with small children.)
Of course even when careful consideration has been given the dog likely will need help settling in.
So what are some guidelines that can help things get started out in the right direction? Following is a list of suggestions. Of course not all apply to all dogs but none are harmful either.
1. Hopefully the new owner and dog have already spent some time together and a general evaluation of the dog has been given to the dog adopter from the adoption agency (doesn’t get along with cats, takes a while to warm up to new people,etc.)
2. The new owner is already set up to receive the dog (safe place to contain the dog when needed, toys, chew items, a supply of food the dog was already eating so a slow transition to new food can be done if desired without causing a stomach upset to dog.)
3. Have the right tools for the dog (maybe a martingale collar or front clip harness or head collar) it’s very important to have the right tool for each dog.
4. Proceed slowly. Let the dog safely explore its new world. That doesn’t mean let the dog do a mad dash throughout the house. After all the rules of the house should be kindly introduced from day one. Friends may want to come visit the new member but it might be a good idea to just let the dog settle in for a few days.
If there is already a dog in the household it’s a good idea to introduce slowly with no forced interactions. I suggest having the new dog perhaps in an xpen or such so the resident dog can investigate OR NOT at will. The resident dog needs to learn the new dog is no threat and the new dog has to learn he can’t constantly pester the resident dog. It’s better go slowly so there is no resentment on the part of the resident dog. Sometimes this process only takes a couple of days and sometimes much longer. Patience pays off in the end.
5. Do slowly introduce your new dog to your neighborhood but don’t allow him to be overloaded with well-meaning people or dogs at first.
6. Get started right away on some basic obedience such as name recognition, sit, down, leave-it etc. Do this in very positive way with treats and happy voice so the dog starts right off in favor of this training thing.
7. Of course immediately start showing/taking the dog to the preferred potty area.
There are other suggestions but these basics I have found most helpful to newly rescued dogs. In fact for any new dog.
And of course if the new owner experiences an issue they are not sure how to handle they should contact the rescue for suggestions or ask for outside help.
Enjoy your new family member and
THANK YOU FOR RESCUING!!