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You just adopted a new dog. There is nothing more exciting than getting to bring your new best friend home. You may be a seasoned pet owner, or this may be your first time. No matter if your dog is young or old, as a pet owner, the focus is on making sure our new, beloved pooch is comfortable in their new environment. So, today we will give you 5 tips for making your newly adopted dog feel right at home.
This can be a struggle for many pet owners, as there is a lot of uncertainty as to what our beloved adopted dog will like or dislike.
5 Tips For Making Your Adopted Dog Feel Right
1 – Baby-Proof, Dog-Proof
Of our 5 tips for making your newly adopted dog feel right at home this is one over the most important and unfortunately one that is most often overlooked. We often think of baby-proofing before a new baby arrives. Making sure the house is dog-proof is no different. This should be done before you leave for your local shelter or even pick out your newly adopted dog.
Key things to think about are potted plants and chemicals kept under the sink. Much like babies, dogs have a natural curiosity about the world around them. Being a pet owner means being responsible for preventing any mishaps in their investigation of their new home. Being able to freely explore their new home will make your new family member feel at ease.
2 – Establish A Routine With Your New Dog
Like most new pet owners, it is easy to want to show your new dog everything their new life has to offer. However, creating too many new experiences at once can add stress to their lives. Oftentimes, rescue dogs have a set routine that the shelter has already established. They are used to getting fed at the same time every day and being let out to play at particular times.
Creating a spontaneous atmosphere by allowing a dog to eat, sleep, and play when desired can create additional stress. This is even more important for an older dog or one that has been in a shelter for a length of time. A great way to combat this is to talk to the shelter and find out what routine they currently have. Try to incorporate this into your life and slowly adjust the schedule to one that will work for you.
3 – Train Early
Training is not only a great way to help your dog feel confident; it is also a great way for them to bond with you as their new owner. By beginning training early, you establish the rules for how you would like your dog to behave and what your expectations are. This will give them once again the freedom to explore and adjust to their new hope without confusion or uncertainty.
Oftentimes, dogs end up in the shelter for “behavioral problems” when really the training was never done. This means spending a lot of time with newly adopted dogs and making them a priority in learning and expanding their training. Even simple commands can give your new dog confidence and the feeling of a predictable environment.
4 – Something That Is Theirs
Once your new dog begins to settle into their new environment, you may see that they go to a particular location in the house. It is important to try to encourage them to use this area as a place to relax away from all the new. A great tool to use is a crate that is located in a part of the house where they can still be near you without being in the middle of chaos. Adding a bed and blanket to a crate along with a toy or two creates a welcoming environment.
A mistake that many dog owners make is to close the door to the crate right away. You want this location to be comfortable for your dog to go in and out. The first few entries to the crate should be natural and at your dog’s pace. Forcing them will only create reluctance and animosity towards the crate and location.
5 – Do Not Be Stingy With Food
This last tip in our 5 tips for making your newly adopted dog feel right at home is to make sure as a pet owner you are not stingy with food. There is a vast variety of dog food on the market. Being a new pet owner, this prospect can create an enormous amount of stress. You want to provide your new dog with the best, but what do you do when you are on a budget?
It is important not to reach for the cheapest dog food in the aisle. While tempting, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for. Much like you would buy food for yourself, you should consider your dog’s dietary needs. Low-cost dog food is often full of fillers, which can create discomfort for your dog.
Also, feed your dog the same food as what they were provided at the shelter in the beginning and then if you choose to transition to a different brand do so over a slow process. This will alleviate stress from food aversion and stomach problems in your dog. If you can’t decide the best food for your new dog it is important to talk to and visit with your vet.
Why Do Dogs Dig In Their Beds? Watch This Video Now.
Conclusion
In one final tip remember to have fun and enjoy your new dog. By following these tips, what could be a stressful transition from shelter to new home is a comfortable process for you and your new best friend. Your journey should begin before your dog comes home and end with a lasting unbreakable bond between dog and owner. Allowing your newly adopted dog feel right at home is one of the greatest gifts you can give to them.
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