5 tips to help your dog settle down
Adopting a dog is a rewarding emotional experience. You jumped at the chance to give a deserving animal a wonderful new life, and you have every right to be proud and excited about your new BFF. The temptation to immediately introduce your new puppy to all your friends and family is almost irresistible. But now that you’re a new pet parent, it’s also important to consider what’s best for your dog. Taking it easy during the first week of your dog’s new life is a great way to help them adjust to their new surroundings and get to know you better.
1. Decompression link
Dog shelter life is hectic. Lots of loud sounds, bright lights, and overstimulation can affect the psychology of rescue dogs and, in turn, their behaviour. Getting used to the sights, sounds, and smells of a new home can be an exciting but overwhelming experience for dogs. The best way to de-stress your dog and let go of the stress they feel while living in a shelter is to give them time to acclimate to their new environment and the people in it before introducing them to too many non-family members.
2. Routine Rock
Breakfast and dinner times at a shelter will most likely be different than breakfast and dinner times at your home. It’s not necessary to adjust your routine to try to match the shelter’s feeding times, but it helps to keep your dog on a daily feeding schedule. Your dog will spend less time thinking about when their next meal will be and more time getting to know you and their new house.
3. The place of space
It’s perfectly normal to want to snuggle up with your new dog, to stay close to them all the time and never let them out of your sight. If you have a dog who wants to be cuddled, loved and played with all day long…then go for it! However, it’s important to consider that not all dogs are the same and your new dog may need some space. Don’t think too much about it if your puppy keeps them at a distance. They are not avoiding you, they are avoiding you. They just need some time to build trust and confidence. If you have a shy dog, try sitting in the middle of the floor and avoiding eye contact. Stay calm and speak in a warm, happy voice until your new dog gains some confidence. When their curiosity gets the better of them, they get closer. Hold out a hand, palm up, with a small treat in the middle. Let your dog take the treat from the palm of your hand and, if they choose, give it a gentle scratch under their chin. Practicing this exercise will help your shy dog trust you as a friend rather than an enemy.
4. Restroom breaks
Whether your new dog is used to it, or if they haven’t quite mastered the art of going outside to the bathroom, taking your pup to the bathroom regularly is a great way to avoid any accidents and unnecessary stress at home. It’s important to remember that before your pup recognizes your house as their home, they can get a little disoriented, and no matter how well they’re trained, they’re likely to run away. Using a leash when leaving any fenced area, keeping an eye on your dog when he is alone in the yard, microchiping your dog and buying them collars with updated tags are all good ways to avoid the stress of accidentally escaping method. Need help breaking and entering? Check out our article S#*! Happening: 3 Tips for Breaking Up Your Dog.
5. Toys, toys, toys!
Dogs can never have too many toys! Feel free to go crazy and spoil your puppy with different types of toys. As your dog begins to relax, relax, and settle in your home, their personality will blossom and you’ll begin to understand what types of toys your dog likes to play with. Whether your dog likes squeaky toys, balls, ropes, bones, or interactive toys, it’s important to make sure the toys you give your dog are safe for them to chew on and have no small parts that they could choke on or Fillers they can eat. Game time is bonding time. The more you play with your new dog (if they want to), the stronger your bond will be and the faster they will adjust to their new life.
