Giving A New Life to Man’s Best Friend
Knowing how to take care of your new dog is essential as an adopter. Your dog may have come from a loving home or may have experienced a lot of hardship in life.
Either way, as the new owner, you are responsible for their present and future well-being.
Indeed, this entails caring for many things, such as feeding them properly, exercising them adequately, and providing them with the necessary vet care.
It can be a daunting task, but with the following tips, you can ensure that your furry friend is healthy and happy!
Ready? Let’s learn!
Visit A Vet
When you adopt a dog from the street, a vet visit is the first thing to do! The doctor will examine the dog, give the necessary vaccines, and advise you on how to treat the dog’s condition if there is any.
Moreover, if your new friend has visible wounds or is underweight, a vet can treat the wounds and tell you more about the proper diet.
Caring for your pets always starts with their health!
Start Training
If you adopted a dog from the street, your new friend probably isn’t potty trained or used to obeying commands.
For a happy co-life, you need to teach him basic things first. With adopted dogs, especially older ones, you need to start slowly, one thing at a time.
You may start with the simple “Sit” cue and slowly progress to the cue “Come here.”
Once your dog learns the basic commands, you can undergo advanced training and new tricks!
Show Some Love
Your newly rescued dog probably had a tough life! It needs all the love you can provide, so don’t be shy!
Cuddle and speak gently to your new friend.
Play with the dog and engage in everyday activities together. Balance alone time for the dog and shared time.
Take Diet Seriously
If you rescue a dog from the street, the chances are that he’s been eating leftovers and depended on other people’s goodwill to provide him with quality food.
Such nutrition is inconsistent, and transitioning to an ideal dog food regimen might be a shock, though it's better for your new best friend!
Slowly introduce new things and go easy on treats. Wait until the dog has adjusted to the feeding schedule to introduce treats!
Be Slow with Your Other Pets
If you have more animals at home, slowly present them to your adopted dog. Don’t push things and expect them to start being best friends from the first day.
Even more so, if necessary, physically separate them. You can keep the adopted dog in one room for the first couple of days and allow it to socialize with other pets under your supervision.
Slowly increase the together time until you are entirely sure that your pets won’t get into a fight when they stay alone!
Introducing Other Animals!
Once the dog is adjusted to animals in your home, you can start introducing him to other dogs!
Some adopted dogs were loners on the street. But it doesn’t mean they were lonely by choice! Go to the dog park and have your dog meet and play with other dogs!
Set Concrete Rules
When you bring home a new dog, it is essential to set rules. Unfortunately, street dogs aren’t used to rules and need time to adjust.
You need to be clear about where the dog will sleep, where he can eat and do his business, if the barking is allowed, which rooms are a no-no, etc.
Even more importantly, set a walking schedule and stick to it in terms of time and length of the walk!
Don’t Expect Too Much.
Every dog is unique, and you never know how long your dog will need to adjust to the new conditions.
Also, don’t expect the dog’s true personality to emerge in the first week! Sometimes, it may take months for the dog to feel safe and comfortable in the new environment, so his playfulness can stand out!
Final Thoughts
Most adopted dogs are hard to deal with at first, but if you do the right things, they will become your best friend quickly!
Remember, consistency and patience are crucial, especially with adopted dogs, so ensure all family members treat the dog the same way!
Don’t be mad at the dog for having trouble learning the tricks and commands.
Be patient and consult a professional trainer if it is necessary!