Becoming a rescue mom is all the rage these days, but most people don’t talk about how difficult it can be to handle a new puppy that has a past. In order to help you out, I’ve comprised a list of the top ten things you should do to help your new dog and family members get settled in.
Before you even get your dog, you should do lots of research regarding what kind of dog you want, you should also know thyself and what you can handle. How many times a day are you willing to walk the dog, do you prefer little or big dogs, how much time can you dedicate to your dog, where will they stay and what are your finances like?
Prepare for every aspect; schedule a visit to the vet before you even bring your new pet home. Buy food, toys, bedding, treats, plus a collar and pet tag before your new pet comes home. Have the house and yard ready before you bring your new pet home.
While you’re at the shelter, keep in mind that it is a stressful place for any animal. Cats and dogs who are usually quite social may be frightened or passive while at the shelter. Quite often, an animal’s true colors won’t show until he’s away from other animals and the shelter environment.
Schedule a visit to the vet before you even bring your new pet home.
Locate where your dog will be spending most of his time, I would argue that the kitchen is the best place for easy clean-up. The new guy will be under a lot of stress moving from the shelter to your house, and his previous training may be momentarily lost.
Training your dog from the get-go is uber important to the rest of its time in your home. Create a vocabulary list and encourage your family to stick with it so as not to confuse the dog.
Make sure you have your pet spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering will ensure that your pet never adds to the millions of animals born each year who never find a good home. It’ll also help him or her live a longer, healthier life.
People often say they don’t see their dog’s true personality until several weeks after adoption. So, don’t worry about it too much when your pet may change personality after a few weeks.
Do not expect instant devotion. You are a stranger to your new pet and he or she is in a strange place. Since they are unsure of your intentions, too much attention can be perceived as confrontational, especially to a frightened animal.
Don’t be afraid to ask the rescue lots of questions, if you’re feeling unsure about the adoption some programs have a sleepover program where the animal can spend the night at your home to see if you’re a good fit for one another.
So, as you can see the rescue life isn’t all cupcakes and rainbows, but if you’re willing to work hard and stick with the little guy then it can be a decision that will change your life forever, then maybe it can become cupcakes and rainbows; metaphorically speaking, since dogs can’t eat those.