Sarah-Jane White Adopting a rescue dog is a wonderful thing to do, and as such, it can be seen as something of a selfless act. After all, there are so many dogs in need of homes and finding them forever homes is a kind thing to do. However, what might not seem like the most obvious thing about adopting a rescue dog is that it’s actually quite challenging.
When you adopt a dog from an animal shelter, rather than buying one from a breeder or puppy mill, you will almost certainly be taking home an animal who has been through some difficult experiences in their life so far. With that in mind, if you have your heart set on bringing home a rescue dog, then you will want to get ready for them properly beforehand.
Here we will give advice on how best to prepare for them before they come to live with you and what steps you should take afterwards to make sure they adjust well into your house and life.
Plan The Journey Home
Whether you’re picking up your new dog from a nearby shelter or from further afield, it might be a good idea to plan the journey home beforehand. This is particularly relevant if you’re picking up your dog from a location that’s very far away. If you don’t plan the journey, then the new dog will be stressed out the whole time, which is a very unpleasant experience for them and something that you really want to avoid. Planning your journey will help you avoid traffic delays and help you set a route home that is as quick as possible; this way, your new dog will have a much smoother time in the car and be less stressed when you arrive home.
Have Supplies Ready
When you bring your new rescue dog home, you’ll want to make sure that you have some of their favourite toys, treats, and food available for them from the moment they arrive. This way, you will be able to provide them with some comfort as they take their first steps into their new life with you.
You can typically find out what they like from the shelter staff, and if you’re not sure what they like, then try getting a selection of items to try out with them when you get them home. You’ll also want to have their bed and a dog crate, if you will be crate training them, ready and waiting for them as well.
Arrange Dog Insurance
When you’re bringing a new dog into your home, there is always a risk that it could become sick or injured. There could be an accident in which they are injured and need to visit the vet, or they could get sick and require medical treatment and medication. All of these things are possible no matter how young or old your new dog is, and you don’t want to be left with a huge vet bill you can’t afford.
The best way to protect yourself and your new dog from these potential issues is to arrange dog insurance from the moment that they come home. Sure, your dog might be healthy when they come home, but they might get sick or injure themselves at some point in the future. Dog insurance is a worthwhile investment that can help you protect your dog and your finances if anything should go wrong in the future. Head over to Purley Pets, where you can get find relevant insurance policies that will help you care for your dog; for information, click here.
Introduce Them To Other Household Dogs Slowly
It’s important to take things slowly when introducing your new dog to other dogs in the household. You want to make sure that things are done at a pace that is comfortable for them so that nobody gets hurt. If you’re adopting a dog who is particularly shy of other dogs, then it might be a good idea to set up a room just for them. This way, they’ll be able to adjust to their new surrounding without being bombarded by other dogs. Once they’ve settled into their new home, you can introduce them to your other dogs slowly.
Develop A Routine
You will want to make sure that you have a routine in place for feeding, walking, and grooming your new dog, but don’t be too strict, as this could be worse for them. This will help to give them an idea of what to expect every day and will make it easier for them to settle into your home. Having a routine won’t be an instant solution to everything, but it will make it easier for your dog to settle in and adjust. At the same time, you will want to make sure that you don’t become too rigid with your routine. If your dog has had a long day, then it’s okay to break from the routine and let them relax a little bit.
Be Patient With Them
The dog you bring home from a shelter may have been mistreated and traumatised in its past. As a result, they may be anxious and stressed in their new environment. Try to be patient with them and don’t expect them to settle in immediately. In fact, expect that it may take them a long time to grow comfortable and feel safe in their new home.
Take Time To Establish A Bedtime Routine
This is particularly important if you’re adopting a dog with a difficult past or one that has been through a lot. Just like developing a daily routine, this will help your dog feel more at ease with their environment and will make it easier for them to settle in. If you’re going to be crate training your new dog, but they have trouble sleeping alone, you could bring the crate into your bedroom and slowly move it out as they become more comfortable.
Conclusion
Adopting a rescue dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s important to be prepared for it first. You will want to make sure that you have all the supplies you need to care for your dog, that you arrange insurance, and that you have a daily routine in place so that they can settle in easily. At the same time, it’s important to be patient with your new dog, to take things slowly when introducing them to other dogs, and not leave them alone for too long.
This is a guest post.
