There are over 4000 animal shelters across America, and with around three million shelter dogs looking for a home, it’s always the perfect time to adopt. But even though all dogs deserve loving homes, finding one with the right temperament isn’t always easy.
Remember that shelter dogs haven’t had the best life to end up in a shelter in the first place. They might be slightly off with you at first, but once introduced to a loving environment, they should understand they’re safe. Here are some key tips to ensure you and your shelter dog are a perfect match.
1. Think About What You Want
Before heading to a shelter, figuring out what you want in a dog is important. The key to finding the best match for you is assessing why you want a dog. Rather than focusing on a certain breed, look at each dog’s individual personality. We promise you’ll find a match easier that way.
2. Prepare Your Home
Once you’ve figured out what kind of dog will suit your life best, it’s time to start preparing your home for them. If you’re going to crate train them, then you’ll have to go out and get a crate. Also, make sure your home is dog-friendly.
3. Gauge Their Temperament
A dog’s temperament can gauged by looking at some key facts. Look at how social the dog is, not with just you but with the other dogs at the shelter. See if they response to their name or any other stimulus. Also see how the dog responds to being and if they follow when called.
4. Read Their Body Language
Pay close attention to your potential new canine friend’s body language. You’ll be able to gauge their stress levels, mood, and overall demeanor at the shelter. Remember that their mood will only improve once they are rescued.
5. Bringing Them Home
You might have chosen your pup carefully, or it was just love at first sight. Either way, once you bring them home, there’s going to be an adjustment period during which your dog might need some getting used to its new environment.
6. Put Them On A Good Diet
Ask the shelter what food they gave your dog so that when you take them home, you can have a small portion of the food they are used to before changing their diet over to a better one. Shelters try their best but don’t give the dogs the best food. If you put your new dog straight onto new food, it could spell trouble for their stomach.
7. Positive Reinforcement
Starting positive reinforcement when you bring them home is crucial to training them to be a part of your life. If they aren’t house-trained, you’ll have to put out absorbent mats for them. Once they become house-trained, you’ll have to be ready to let them out at all morning hours to do their business before they get into a routine.
8. Stimulate, But Not Too Much
Your new rescue dog will no doubt be feeling a little overwhelmed. It’s important to stimulate them to bond with you and feel safe, but don’t force it in moments when they’d rather be on their own. Interaction can go a long way; just don’t push it.
9. Finding A Vet
Once you’ve gotten your new dog, a check-up at the vet is a good idea. Even if you don’t think it’s necessary, establishing rapport with a vet for future emergencies will only make the process smoother.
Source:
Dog Adoption Tips – Bringing Home a New Rescue Dog
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