When you adopt a dog, be it from a breeder or from an animal shelter, bringing your new pet home is going to be an exciting time. You’re welcoming a new family member into your home, and it’s a huge deal. Remember that the move is an even bigger deal for the pup, and that’s why it’s so important to try and create a smooth transition for them.
They’ve been taken away from everything that they know and taken to somewhere new by complete strangers – it can be very stressful moving to a new home. That’s why you need to make sure that you approach your pup’s transition into your home as carefully as possible, to make things as easy and stress-free for the dog as possible.
Here are a few tips and ideas that should help to make the process a little easier for you.
Keep things familiar
An important step when bringing a new dog home is to try and keep things as familiar for them as possible. If you’re offered the dog’s bed by the breeder or from the animal shelter, take it with you. You might have already bought them a brand new one, but having their old bed – or even their old blanket – might help your dog to feel more comfortable in their new home.
Whatever you are offered to bring with you, agree to, as having their own familiar things around them will make the transition easier for your new pup. It’s also worth checking things like what times they usually go out for walkies and when they like to be fed – by keeping their schedule the same, you can help to make settling in a little easier. You can always slowly change these things over time.
Give them space
Naturally you – and the rest of your family – want to dote on your new pet, giving them lots of cuddles and playing with them constantly, but if you can try and resist while they settle in that will make things a little easier for them.
Overcrowding your new dog will only add to their stress levels, which is why it’s so important that you take the time to give them all of the space that they need.
Explain to younger family members that while the new pup settles in, they need time and space to relax and feel comfortable. Make sure that they understand that your new dog is probably nervous which is why it’s important to give them the space that they need to settle in properly.
Let them come to you
Instead of crowding them, instead, let your new dog come to you. You will find that if you give them time to adjust and adapt, then eventually they will come to you. It might simply be a small thing at first like rubbing their head against you or sitting closer to you on the sofa, but in time you will begin to see them get closer to you as they become more comfortable.
Tackle one task at a time
It’s important not to try and do too much too soon with your new dog, instead take the time to tackle one task at a time. Try and get them used to the house before you take them out in the car, for instance.
Don’t forget, when you take them out in the car to be safe and use a dog car harness, to help prevent any injuries should a car accident take place. Try not to rush the process and do too much with your new addition too soon; take your time to introduce doing new things with them.
You will find that by taking things slowly, it’s far easier for your new addition to adapt to family life and come out of their shell more quickly. Be patient with them and understand that it takes time to feel comfortable in a new home with new people.
Adopting a dog and adding them to your family is extremely exciting, but it’s important to remember that for the dog it can be an extremely daunting and stressful experience. That’s why it’s so important to give them the time that they need to settle in properly.
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