Have you recently bought home a dog you rescued and adopted? Well, good job! There is nothing better than giving a dog a new home they can feel comfortable at and learn to love.
But sadly, most rescued dogs come from abusive dwellings and places where they were not treasured, making it terribly difficult for the adopted dogs to feel safe and secure in their new home, making it even more important for you to begin showering your new furry friends with love from the moment you meet them!
Here are a few ways to make your fur buddy feel at home and make him/her love you:
Plan ahead of adopting
New dogs might feel shy and seldom lively depending on their individual character and will have a sense of fear concerning you as you will be a totally new being for them despite what they show outwardly. So, if possible, before actually adopting the dog, spend some time with it at the rescue shelter home itself to let the dog get accustomed to you.
Then as the pup or dog gets more comfortable with you and you actually bring it home, limit it to one area in the house instead of letting it feel lost or intimidated in a big place. Use pet gates and dog-proof your house for a safe transition to home.
It is also advisable for you to take some time off work and spend time with your new dog to make it feel familiar at home and only open new areas of the house when it feels at ease. Remember to give your new dog a lot of space and time to adjust to home after being rescued, for its old life would have been a terrible experience for it.
Get dog supplies
If you are a new pet parent and yet have no idea about what to do, it’s better first to bring home a few dog necessities rather than getting the dog first. So run to the nearest pet shop and gather supplies.
If you stumbled across a dog you needed to rescue from a street somewhere, take it to the nearest vet to determine its age, get its shots, check for any injuries or dog bites, and also check for parasites, flea ticks, and deworming. Then get the dog or puppy food as recommended, food and water bowls, weaning milk if necessary, dog bedding, collar and leash, dog ID, and shampoo.
Then try to analyze the character and temperament of your dog to establish what sort of toys your pup friend would like and treats it will love!
Learn your pooch
Rescue dogs come from neglected environments where their needs were not accounted for, and they were not provided the required amount of love and affection. Hence, such dogs usually feel too scared to open up to strangers, and even if you did bond with your new dog prior to adopting, they would still feel intimidated at a new home.
Now that the pup is at home with basic necessities met make an effort to know the dog more deeply. Refrain from fast movement, sharp pitched voices, loud noises, and keep the human population at home to a minimum. It is also advisable not to spontaneously introduce your new dog to an old pet of yours, which will intimidate the possibly scared dog.
Learn the habits of your pup now, see what excites them, what games they are likely to indulge in, and more routines that you can turn into fun activities.
Plan something fun
Now that your pup is at home and you have a basic gist of its character, it is time to utilize its precious energy and channel it into something fun. Once it trusts you enough, take it to a park a bit far away from home so that it can socialize with other dogs. If your rescued dog is still feeling skittish, limit it to your backyard or curb for walks with the home and the pup’s safe haven always in view so that the rescued dog is comfortable.
And while your pup is still learning its surroundings, take all of it in for the sake of memories and, of course, to feel nostalgic as your rescued puppy grows over time. Click pictures when your dog acts the most like itself and get it framed into CanvasPop dog portraits. Adorn your walls with your pup’s lovely face. Your doggo will truly appreciate the gesture.
Start training
In contrast to an unruly and unloving previous abode of your dog, a regular routine for your pup will make it feel comfortable and structured. So, begin with its basic training. Start with simple commands, and if there is a trained dog that could help as a visual instructor, it will be even better.
Keep a lot of healthy treats handy so that the dog understands that it is making progress.
Do not rush the training and appreciate every small better change. Never raise your voice while training because that will surely surface as a hindrance in progress. Incorporate a lot of fun into the training with healthy treats, fetching balls, and other games you could teach to your dog.
Give them a private space.
Your dog will likely want some time and space for their own because a new home, new people, and new rules to abide by will be a lot to learn. Set a routine that your new dog is comfortable in and let them zone out for some time each day and be themselves.
Establishing a home for an abused and unloved puppy is beautiful but truly tiring, too. So give yourself some time to adjust to your new family member, too. Shower your pup with a lot of love. Bring customized treats, toys, and everything that brings it happiness!