Adopting a new dog can be stressful! Where will you adopt your dog? What breed will it be? Do you need to buy pet health insurance? All your worries will be put to ease when you meet your new furry friend. Adopting a dog is a special day that you will indeed remember. A few tips can make the transition for you and your new dog an easy one.
Clear Structure
You will want to make sure you give your dog a clear structure of his new home. This means you and your family will need to be consistent the first few days your dog arrives at home, so you do not confuse him. You will need to consider where your dog will be spending most of his time and make sure the area is dog proofed. Because he may be under a lot of stress from his move, he may forget any housebreaking he learned previously, so a kitchen would perhaps be the best area.
Upon Arrival
Upon arrival, you will need a few things for your new friend. You will need to purchase all of the following things before your dog arrivals at his new home. You will need dog or puppy food, food and water bowls, a bed for your pet, and a collar and ID tag. A couple other things you will need are a dog license and pet health insurance. By law, you must have a dog license and can acquire one at your local post office. You will also want to buy your new pet dog insurance, incase of unexpected illness or injury.
The First Couple Days
The first couple days with your dog can be stressful ones for yourself as well as your dog. Be sure your dog has plenty of time to acclimate himself with yourself and your family before you introduce him to any strangers. If you do not wait, your dog can be put under severe stress and you will be overwhelming him. When you bring him home, make sure you introduce him to his toileting area immediately. Give him plenty of time to get familiar with the area and relieve himself. You should then start your regularly scheduled training with your pet.
After a Few Weeks
Don't worry if your dog doesn't show any personality during the first few days of his arrival. Most say that the dog may not show his personality for a few weeks after the adoption. Your dog will want to get accustomed to you and your family and it may take him awhile to do so. Remember to stick to your original planned schedule so your dog doesn't get confused. After he is settled in, you and your dog will be bonded together in no time!
Remember, adopting a dog should be an enjoyable experience. Don't fret if it can be a little stressful at times. Your dog will be acclimated to his new home in no time and you can begin your lives together.