How To Prepare For Bringing Home Your Rescue Dog
At Woof Republic, we are big on adopting dogs from rescues. There are so many precious pups in need of a good home and it's an incredible, life-changing experience.
That being said, it can be overwhelming to bring home a rescue for various reasons. To make sure that everything goes as well as it can, here are some of our tips and tricks on how to bring home a rescue dog.
Make A New Dog Checklist
Prior to taking your pup home, make a checklist of everything that they’ll need. Your list should include a bed, toys, food, bowls, and of course, plenty of treats. To get some more ideas, check out our post here.
Ask The Rescue About Your Dog’s Food & Feeding Schedule
While at the rescue during your scheduled pickup time, gather information about what kind of food Fido eats and his feeding schedule. Both pieces of information are vital, as it will lessen his chance of getting digestive issues. If you do decide you want to change either his food or the time that he eats, just make sure to do so gradually.
Give Your Dog A Designated Space
If you are able to do so, give your dog their own designated space, at least for the first few weeks upon their arrival. This will be an area where they can play with their toys and sleep on her bed or in a crate.
Your new dog may also just want some alone time. As tempting as it is to cuddle your furry friend and spoil them rotten, it’s best to let your dog slowly get used to your presence. Otherwise, they may become overwhelmed and fearful of you.
Ease Your Dog Into Meeting Others
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
When you get a new dog, everyone wants to hang out with them. I remember when my family got puppies when I was in high school, there were hoards of people coming over. And I get it -- dogs are the best.
But your new rescue is stressed out as it is, so refrain from having any visitors over until he starts getting comfortable around the members of your household.
(COVID has made this step super easy because everyone is confined to their homes, so this is actually a perfect time to adopt.)
Start Training As Soon As Possible
Ideally the day your pup comes home, you should start training them. Just make sure that you are being as patient as possible during this process.
Keep Calm & Carry On (Being A Great Dog Owner)
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
During the first few weeks, just be super chill around your pet, because if you freak out, they’ll freak out. This is easier said than done, especially if you have high anxiety like I do, but just fake it ‘til you make it.
Depending on your dog’s background, they may have gone through some trauma, resulting in separation anxiety or behavioral issues. In that case, keep your cool and research the best way to remedy the issue. You may want to take your dog to group training classes or contact your vet about possible medications.
Take Your Pooch To The Vet As Soon As You Can
Photo by Bill Stephan on Unsplash
Speaking of the vet, you’ll want to schedule an appointment for your pup as soon as possible to make sure that they are in tip-top shape and have been giving all their vaccinations.