Adopting a rescue dog or puppy is an extremely rewarding experience. Whatever your new friend has been through, you will now have the opportunity to make their life great and give them everything that they need to be a happy and healthy pooch. If you know you will be bringing home your rescue soon, then you should start preparing your home immediately. The first few days in your home are a critical and special time for any new pet. Your dog will be confused about their new surroundings and they won’t know what to expect from you, so doing everything thing you can in order to make their transition as smooth as possible is highly recommended. To help you get started, here are 8 ways to prepare your home for your rescue.
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Research Your Dog
Rescue dogs come in all shapes and sizes from different backgrounds. When you found your new friend, you would have been aware of their past and their present from the people who have rescued and spent time with them. If there is anything that the rescue centre has advised in terms of diet, training or care, then you should spend time researching the needs of your new dog and familiarising yourself with it all. If you are rescuing a specific breed, you should research their personality traits and use this knowledge to prepare your home and your family for the new arrival.
Get Your Supplies
Before you bring your new rescue home, you must make sure that you have all of the supplies you need for your dog to be happy, healthy, and well cared for. After all, the new pup is now a member of your loving family. When it comes to purchasing these products, many stores offer sales and rewards programs geared towards pet owners. You can even find credit card offers that feature cash-back on certain purchases to further your savings. Having everything ready for them before their arrival will allow them to settle into a routine quickly, which will make them feel relaxed and comfortable sooner. For everything you need for your rescue pup, you should take a look at the online pet shop Time for Paws. Here, you will be able to take a look at and compare good value, high-quality pet food and pet supplies, which will save you both time and money.
Establish Their Space
When setting up your home for your new canine companion, you should establish their space and create boundaries. If there are any rooms or areas of the home that you do not want your new dog to go into, then you should block them off using a baby gate. Using a baby gate will restrict access without making your dog feel like they are completely separated from an area, which can make them feel calm and less anxious. Dogs love to have their own space, so you should spend time making their personal space (their feeding and sleeping area) as nice as possible.
Dog-Proof Your Home
Once you have established your dog’s space, you will need to dog-proof the areas that your pooch will have access to. This is especially important for the area where they will spend most of their alone time during the first few months. This means making removing any valuable and hazardous items and fixing anything that could inflict harm, such as taping electric cables, storing chemical products on high shelves, and storing breakables in a safe place. As mentioned previously, setting up baby gates will keep them safe, and crate training can be useful too.
Understand Basic Training
Training your dog will start the moment their paws walk through the door. Taking time to research and understand the best methods of basic obedience training is extremely important for the happiness of you, your household and your new pet. Taking time to write a list of vocabulary for everyone to use when giving the dog directions, will prevent confusion and will allow your rescue to learn the rules and commands faster. You should consider taking your dog to training classes too, as this will help you and your dog to understand each other and bond.
Find a Vet
Even if your rescue dog is young and healthy, you will need to find a reliable vet to maintain your dog’s health during their lifetime. Your dog will need to go to the vet on an annual basis for vaccinations and a health check. Most rescue dogs will be up to date on their vaccines, neutered and microchipped, which will save you a big fee. As well as the quality of treatment, you should speak to various vets to compare prices. In cases of emergency and unexpected vet bills, taking out pet insurance for your dog is highly recommended and could save you thousands of pounds.
Your First Day
Now that everything has been prepared for your new rescue dog, the next step will be to bring them home and do everything you can to make them feel settled during their first day. Moving is a stressful time, so you should take your dog straight home on the day they are adopted. You should give them adequate space and ‘quiet time,’ so they can acclimate to their surroundings. You should allow them to greet your family and other pets outdoors, while keeping everyone as calm and quiet as possible. Giving them access to familiar objects they got sent home will help them feel more at home.
The Following Weeks
Over the following weeks, you should limit the number of visitors entering your home and you should try to walk your canine companion locally. Avoiding long journeys and lots of people will help your pup feel less overwhelmed. Begin training immediately and establish a routine. Your dog will start to feel more comfortable in their environment and their true personality will begin to shine through once they have settled in and got to know you better. Following the schedule that you have created and giving your dog everything that they need will lead to a long, happy life together.
Following these tips will have you on your way to having a well-adjusted and happy furry family member. Once your rescue dog is home, time and patience are key and you must always use positive reinforcement during their training. You must speak to an expert for advice on health and behaviour.
