Woof Hooray! Helping Your New Rescue Dog Feel At Home

When you are thinking of introducing a dog into your life, the choice between a puppy and an adult dog is the main consideration, however nothing is more rewarding than adopting a rescue dog.

How would we know? Well, we have now done it three times and whilst it can be challenging, it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience offering a dog a new life, but bringing a rescue dog into your life and home will also require a period of adjustment for all within the home. After all, your new dog is leaving behind everything they know, however with a little patience and a lot of love, you can help your dog adjust to their new home.

Here we offer some tips on based on our experience to be prepared on the task ahead.

Create a Safe Space:

• Cosy Crate: Provide a comfortable crate, not as a punishment, but as a safe haven for your dog to withdraw and relax while feeling secure. The goal here is to establish a den by adding comfortable bedding and any familiar toys or blankets with the dog's scent from the shelter or person you're adopting from. In our experience, some dogs feel more safe when their kennel is covered with a blanket.

• Quiet Corner: If your dog is not crate trained, the option here is to create a specific spot for them to curl up. The same technique applies by providing a comfortable bed and familiar toys or blankets with their scent. We also recommend keeping this location consistent.

Establish a Routine & Build Trust:

• Controlled Interactions: Avoid showing your new puppy or dog too much love immediately. Allow them to come to you at their own pace, and offer rewards and mild praise as a reward.

• The Key Is Routine: Dogs like consistency in their lives. We suggest trying to create a routine for meals, walks, playing, and cuddle time.

• Training & Commands: Depending on whether it is a puppy or an adult dog every attempt should be made to carry out training to teach the basic commands and create a strong attachment, we suggest the use of clicker training or other positive reinforcement approaches.

Seeing the World Securely:

• Walking & Explore: Take your dog on brief, lead-controlled walks to begin acclimating them to their new environment. To help them gain confidence, let them smell and investigate new places and scents.

• Socialisation Gradually: If you have other pets, start with a gentle introduction in a neutral place. Everyone may need some time to adjust, so keep an eye on everything that happens and be patient.

• Child Interaction: This is undoubtedly one of the most crucial factors to take into account when adopting a dog. It can be challenging if the history is unknown, but generally speaking, dogs should never be left unsupervised with children. When interacting, watch out for telltale signs that your dog is uncomfortable, such as panting, a tucked tail, or simply avoiding children altogether. In these cases, only engage in brief, supervised bursts of interaction, allowing your dog to retire to his safe space to unwind.

• Puppy-proofing: If your dog is a puppy, make sure your house is secure by securing potential escape routes, storing cleaning supplies, and fastening cables. This lowers tension and guards against mishaps.

Taking Adoption Confidently:

• Know Your Dog: Learn about the possible demands and difficulties of the breed you are considering adopting.

• Ask the Shelter or Person You are Adopting From: Get guidance from them about your dog's prior experiences and any particular needs they might have. It's helpful to prepare a list of questions ahead of time, and having a contact window for future inquiries is something that a responsible dog owner or shelter would be more than happy to provide.

• The Key Is Patience: Recall that it takes time to adjust. With perseverance, affection, and constancy, your new pet will quickly become a perfect fit.