How to Help Your Newly Adopted Dog Adjust

Your pet may not be able to talk to you, but dogs can feel anxious just like humans. Leaving the shelter and going to a new home is a joyous occasion, but your dog doesn’t know that. In fact, he’ll probably be nervous about his new surroundings. The following 3 tips should help him adjust.

1.      Prepare Your Home for Your New Dog

Before you bring your new companion home, you need to set up your home accordingly. While it can be tempting to adopt a dog as soon as you see it, it’s easier for your dog if you don’t spend all day running around trying to get organized. He won’t mind spending another day at the shelter. After all, he’s being cared for there, too, and the surroundings are familiar to him. Take a deep breath and get the things you need.

You’ll want to set up a crate to keep your dog and your belongings safe while you’re not there to watch him. Many dog owners also use the crate for their dogs to sleep in at night, but that’s a personal decision you’ll have to make when the time comes.

Next, you need a food bowl, a water dish, and of course, dog food. Most dogs aren’t picky eaters, but if you want to make the transition a little easier for him, you could ask the shelter what they’ve been feeding the dogs and buy the same kind of food. If your new dog has only been at the shelter for a few days, then it probably doesn’t matter as much.

If you have a lot of valuables and precious knickknacks in your home, it’s a good idea to put them in a safer place for now, just in case. Some dogs will play with anything they can get their teeth on, while others may accidentally knock something over just by wagging their tail.

Another thing you can do to prepare is to decide on which words to use for dog training now. You want to be consistent and not confuse the dog, and everyone in your family should be on board. Speaking of family, it’s a good idea to take your family members with you to meet the dog at the shelter before you bring him home.

2.      Make His First Day Easy

The first day in a new home can be stressful for a dog. If you think back on your first day at work, you probably understand why. He doesn’t know you or your family, the house is new to him, and nothing smells familiar. To make it easier for your new friend, it’s a good idea to provide calm surroundings. That means you need to warn the kids or send them outside to release some energy before allowing them to pet the dog. The kids are bound to be excited, but even young ones can understand that a new dog has to get used to them first.

If it’s possible, you should bring your dog home on a day that you don’t have to go to work. It will help you get to know him better and allow you to follow his schedule as far as mealtimes and daily walks go. You can also bring the dog home in the evening if the next day is a day off for you to maximize the time with him before you have to leave.

3.      What You Can Expect for the First Few Weeks

The first few weeks will be spent getting to know each other better. It will take some time for your new dog to thaw out and show his ‘true colors’. He may be very playful and loving, but those character traits won’t become obvious until he feels safe and loved in his new home.

Now is a good time to enroll him in obedience training if he has never had any. It’s not just about training your dog, either. Obedience training can help you understand your dog better and form a bond between the two of you. After all, you both have to work together to pass the class.

It’s a good idea to watch how your dog interacts with other dogs and animals during the first few weeks. Not all dogs enjoy playing with other dogs, but yours might be a social butterfly. As you’re learning what motivates your dog, he’s also learning more about you. Before you know it, the two of you will be inseparable.