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"Welcoming Your New Adopted Rescued Dog"
Congratulations on welcoming a new pet in to your life.
We, at Ginger's Pet Rescue wish you and your newly adopted dog many happy, healthy years together.
To start off on the right foot, we have provided this information to ease the transition period for you and your pet.
"Adoption" is not just selecting your new dog and walking out with it. It continues for the life of the dog: from the ride home, through the first night, meeting friends and neighbors, and learning its unique position within your family. As with all changes, the initial transition period may be confusing for both you and your new dog. Because we want each adoption to be successful and lasting, we want to offer you the following important advice.,
There are many excellent sources that can provide more in-depth advice about specific concerns. Your veterinarian will be essential for regular or emergency medical care: he or she can also provide references for other issues.
As pet ownership continues in his popularity, more resources are available through bookstores, pet stores, periodicals and the Internet.
Coming Home:
The day you bring your adopted dog home may be one of the most exciting experiences of it's life. Keep in mind , however sudden changes may be frightening to your new dog. He or she has just spend some time locked in the shelter and most of them come out stressed out from all the noise, smells or unusual sights and sounds.
In addition to this, the sudden foreignness of new people, a new car, a new house etc. It is your responsibly to cushion the transition. You might be too tempted to show off your new dog to neighbors, shower it with new toys and so on. But too much activity or attention may overwhelm your dog and your dog may react in fear or confusion. Signs of this uncertainly may include cowering, refusal to walk, attempts to hide or other submissive behaviors. Signs of over excitement includes excessive jumping up, frantic racing from room to room, or attempts to escape.
Recognize that these initial behaviors stem from the dog's insecurity. The best approach for reassuring your pet is consistency and patience. Give it time to learn about its new environment and take it slow. You have many years to enjoy your new pet so don't overdo it the first few days.
Introductions:
Introducing your new dog to other dogs and children must be gradual and supervised.
Setting your dog loose to introduce itself could result in disaster.
With other dogs:
Realize jealousy or possessiveness may create a conflict. As pack animals, dogs will naturally decide a "pecking order" among themselves. Maintaining control is essential during this process.
With children:
Safe introductions between children and dogs depends on education and supervision. Teach children responsible behavior around dogs. The following should be strict rules:
Never disturb a dog while its sleeping or eating.
Treat dogs gently and kindly. Never hit or try to strike a dog. Never pull a dog's tail, ears or hair.
Realize that dogs can be hurt and feel pain.
Speak softly, do not shriek or scream at the dog.
Respect a dog's need for peace and quiet.
The Shopping Trip:
Your dog will need the following essentials for its new home:
- 6 foot leash
- Collar that fits well
- Crate when used properly a crate can provide a secure den-like environment.
- Bed
- Food
- Food Dishes and Water Bowl
- Grooming supplies unless you chose to bring your dog to a groomer
- Toys: Quality is more important than Quantity.
- Pet Care Books: Learn as much as you can about your dogs breed, training and general care
- Housebreaking and clean up supplies
- Extra ID tags and make sure you ID tag your dog as soon as you get him.
A Home within a Home:
Dogs thrive on routine so its never too early to start introducing your dog to the habits you want it to learn.
No matter what the size of the owner's home, a dog needs certain areas it can call its own.
Sleeping: Your new dog needs a "bed" area. Choose an area away from foot traffic with a good vantage point. This way the dog will not be underfoot and yet will still feel a part of the home activities. The bed is also a safe haven for the dog. Teach both children and adults to "let sleeping dogs lie".
Eating: Place the dog's food bowls in a quiet, low-traffic areas and begin feeding on a regular schedule. Teach children to never touch or approach a dog while it is eating.
Housebreaking: With patience and consistency, your dog will learn where to relieve itself. During the training process, schedule food and water intake. After a meal or large drink, take your dog out through the same door, repeating the same housebreaking phrase. After you dog relieve itself, praise him.
Create A Dog File: When you adopt your dog, you will receive important documents on your dog. Throughout the dog's lifetime, you will compile a collection of medical and other important records. Creating a "dog file" ensures that all the important information will be gathered in one easily accessible package. It may also prove invaluable in an emergency situation.
Photos: Be sure to take a few good head shot photos of your dog in case your dog becomes lost. Pictures are important to post in flyers in the search process.
Checklist for the First Week:
- Contact a local veterinarian and schedule your dogs initial exam.
- Locate your local emergency 24 hr pet hospital and place the information in a handy place.
- Continue to dog-proof your home.
- Inform neighbors that you now own a dog. (extra help if your dog gets lost).
- Gradually introduce your dog to service people (mailman, pool cleaner).
- Continue to learn as much about your new dog as possible. Research books, magazines and the Internet.
- Observe your dog.. The more you watch your pet's behavior the better you will start to understand the dog itself.
What If the Dog Is Not Working Out?
If you are experiencing problems with your new dog, re-examine your expectations. Realize your dog could have developed bad habits even before it came to the shelters. It will take time and patience to learn a new way to live.
Also remember that inappropriate behavior may result from the stress of the transition. Some dogs will settle down after they realize your home is finally their forever home. This may take days, weeks or months, depending on the dog and its life history. Be sure to give the dog many chances to learn before even considering giving up on it.
I am very happy to recommend animal trainers and animal behaviorist that can do absolute wonders for the dog.
A Final Note:
Ginger's Pet Rescue wishes you and your dog a very happy, healthy life together. We know from our personal experience that "shelter dogs" often prove to be some of the greatest pets we know. If you and your dog become one of the many success stories, please encourage others to welcome an adopted rescued pet in their lives.
Ginger's Pet Rescue specializes in saving Death Row Dogs and works with 7 different shelters.
We are a non profit organization and we are always looking for help.
If you can adopt, foster, transport, donate or fundraise please ask to join our huge pet network
Email us at gingerluke@comcast.net
Our website is a very popular site with a wealth of valuable information from Rescue by Dog Breeds, low spay and neuter clinics in Washington State, dog parks, lost and found information, 24 hr Emergency Vet Clinics, Specialty Vet Clinics and much more Please visit us at: www.gingerspetrescue.org |
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