Adopting any animal, whether this is a dog, cat, rabbit, or even a bird from your local rescue shelter is by far the best and most kindest thing you could do and you will obviously want to make sure you are doing everything you can to ensure the transition is as gentle as possible.
So, with that being said, continue reading to learn the top four tips when adopting a dog from the rescue shelter.
- Patience is Everything
As you can imagine, if you put yourself in your new dog’s position for a moment, the transition from the shelter to your home, not to mention what they may have experienced beforehand, can be a daunting and worrying, not to mention often traumatic time.
It is for this reason that the most crucial piece of advice of all is to be as patient as you possibly can be with your dog. It may well be the case that your particular rescue dog is confident and adapts to you and their new environment quickly, but never rush them and let them explore and learn at their own pace.
- Only Feed Your Dog Natural Foods
The temptation to treat your new dog, especially one which you are fully aware has been mistreated in the past, to rich and exciting foods should be resisted, however much they beg.
Instead, especially in the first few weeks and months, feeding your new dog natural pet food is essential and you should stick to the veterinary advice and of course, the advice you have been given from the shelter you adopted from, to the letter.
- Put a Routine in Place Quickly
All animals, just like humans, work best when they have a routine and a new dog entering your home, whether rescued or not, will rely on a routine to give them a feeling of safety, security, and stability.
The calmer and more serene the environment you create for your new dog is, the quicker they will feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence and in their new home. One huge aspect of this is making sure that they are fed at the same times, taken out for a walk at the same time and also that they have one primary caregiver for the first few weeks.
- Form a Strong Bond with Your Dog
The fallacy that some breeds of dog are naturally aggressive, naughty, or simply do not want to bond with humans is just that, a fallacy, and the behavior of a dog is only determined by how they are treated and how they are trained.
You should do everything you possibly can do to get your dog to trust you, which can be even trickier with some rescue dogs. Simple things such as lying on the floor a short distance away from where your dog is sitting and letting them come to you is an effective way of building trust.
