Spring is one of the most common times of the year to adopt a new dog. With the weather warming up and opportunities to get outdoors abound, it makes sense that prospective pet parents consider adding to their families by bringing in a new furry friend.
Freshpet recognizes that many pet parents who have recently adopted a dog are seeking resources offering tips and tricks for fostering a healthy relationship, aid in adapting to their new environment, and ensuring they live long and healthy lives in their new homes. For this reason, Freshpet reviews a few tips for successful adoption.
Have All the Essentials on Hand
Gearing up for your new dog is a great idea to make sure they are properly cared for and comfortable during their transition to home life. You will want to have leashes, collars (with ID tags), bowls for food and water, a supply of a trusted dog food brand, toys, a bed, the list goes on. While it is likely that there will be something you’ve missed, starting with a laundry list of the essentials is the perfect start and will help ensure that additional buys are minimal. When getting your essentials in a row, Freshpet finds that it is crucial to take the time to set up a nice area where your dog can retreat to for comfort. Meeting a new family can mean a lot of stimulation, and a small area away from the bustle can give your dog the space to take their time and get acclimated.
Help Them Explore and Socialize
Dogs naturally want to get to know their surroundings and the people that make up their home, and taking the time to help them explore and socialize can be valuable for promoting healthy behaviors later on. For example, Freshpet finds that showing your dog around the house so that they can sniff around and explore their food, bed, toys, and surrounding areas is a good practice soon after adoption. It can also be a great gesture to give them plenty of time and space to explore your yard on a leash so that they are more familiar with the area.
Socializing is sometimes a point of stress for pet parents, but it can be very easy if you are patient with it. Start with introducing family members and other pets one by one in a supervised interaction. Keeping your dog on a leash can be a huge help with safety. For the best results many experts suggest starting socializing outside so that there is more space and a seemingly neutral environment. Remember to keep your family members and other pets from crowding their new furry friend as it can prevent territorial behaviors.
Schedule a Trip to the Vet
There are so many moving parts to adopting a dog that it can be easy to forget to book a trip to the vet, however, setting this up is essential for the first few weeks. Big transitions can make dogs more susceptible to issues such as infections, stress, etc. and getting a clear picture of their health from the vet can help avoid any complications moving forward. The vet will also help you be sure that all vaccinations are up to date and can answer questions about how much to feed them, the exercise requirements of the breed, and multiple other factors that will help you keep your dog happy and healthy.
Be Patient!
Patience is a virtue when it comes to adopting a new dog. There will be some challenges along the way, as is the case with any major transition, but you can rest assured that it is worth it in the end. A gentle, empathetic approach to training and getting the dog comfortable with their new surroundings pays off tenfold. Try to think of things from your new furry friend’s perspective and do your best to help them feel accepted, loved, and cared for in their new home!