So you have decided to adopt a pet dog from your local animal adoption center? Congratulations! You will soon experience the multitude of benefits that come with dog ownership. When you adopt a pet, you will also have the additional rewards that come with rescuing an animal. However, it is also important to understand that when you adopt a pet, there can be some additional challenges that you will need to overcome. One of those challenges can be helping to settle your rescue dog into their new home. With that in mind, we have put together a few tips to help make the transition more comfortable for you both.

Get Your Home & Garden Ready in Advance

The first step when you are going to adopt a pet from an animal adoption center is to prepare your home and garden for your new arrival. It is worth having a conversation with the rescue center about the preferences your dog has shown while in their care. It is common for rescue dogs to feel more comfortable sleeping in a crate overnight as it helps them feel more secure. If this is the case, then you will need to make sure you have a suitably sized crate ready, along with plenty of comfortable bedding. You will also need to stock up on food and water bowls. Check what food brand is being used at the animal adoption center so you can keep this consistent at home.

You should also consider which areas of your home your new dog will have access to. Baby gates are a great way to divide up the home effectively. If you are unsure if the dog is fully housebroken, you might want to confine them to tiled areas to avoid damage to your carpets. You will also want to ensure your garden is securely fenced so the dog cannot escape. It is also worth checking that there are no toxic plants in the garden in case your new dog nibbles on the leaves.

Let Your Dog Settle At Their Own Pace

When you adopt a pet dog from a rescue center, it is common for them to be very anxious when arriving at your home. Some rescue dogs have had a traumatic experience, and others may just be missing their former owner, depending on how they became homeless. It is common for the dog to attempt to hide, and they may refuse to interact with you at first. You should not be worried about this, and it certainly does not mean your new friend doesn’t like you! The best thing you can do is make sure they have a safe, comfortable space that is quiet and away from the main activity in the house. You should also limit visitors in the first couple of weeks. Allow the dog to spend time alone and come to you when they feel ready. This may take a few days, so don’t rush them and allow them to set the pace.

Don’t Fuss Over Them or Force Interactions

When your dog arrives from the animal adoption center, don’t fuss over them too much. Keep the introduction to your home calm and quiet. When you adopt a dog, they may initially be uncomfortable with physical touch and affection. Keep your hands relaxed at your sides and wait for them to approach you. If they do approach and lean in, stroke them gently on the chest or shoulders for a few seconds. If they appear comfortable, you can try touching other areas of their body. If they have come from an abusive situation, it may take some time for them to accept your affection, so try not to get discouraged. Take things at their pace, as forcing interactions will make them even more defensive.

Use Food Based Enrichment

If you want to encourage your new dog to explore their new surroundings, a positive way to do it is by using food enrichment. Since your dog may initially feel unsure around you, this is an activity they can do on their own without too much interaction. Food enrichment is all about incorporating food or treats into playtime. It is mentally stimulating for your pet and enriches their senses. Lick mats, snuffle toys, and puzzle feeders are all great options. You can even DIY it by scrunching newspapers up inside a box and hiding kibble among the paper to create a dig box.

Create a Routine

If you don’t already have a routine before you adopt a pet, it is an excellent time to establish one. A consistent daily routine is a great way to help rescue dogs get used to their new surroundings. When they get to know what to expect throughout the day, they will feel more relaxed. Keeping the same food and bathroom break schedule followed by the animal adoption center may be a good idea.

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Adopt a New Friend Today!

American Pet Rescues is working towards the goal of educating adults and children about the value of animal rescue. Through the sale of our quality plush stuffed animals, each based on a real animal rescue story, we hope to promote awareness of pet adoption while also funding the opening of an animal adoption center in the Knoxville area where we can continue educating others and also provide access to affordable veterinary care.

Visit www.americanpetrescues.org or call 865-800-3697 for more information.