Adopting and raising a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences around, but it is definitely not without its own unique challenges. At times, the first days of adoption may seem confusing or overwhelming, but not to fear! Waggle is here to help with our Top 10 Tips for Dog Adoption!
- Be generous with your affection: rescue dogs haven’t always been given enough attention and love in their life up until the point where they met you and, to be honest, they can use all the love they can get. When a dog has been a good boy or girl, be sure to let them know. Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools we have for working with our canine pals and the rule of thumb to always keep in mind is that there’s really no such thing as too much love!
- Listen. Dogs can be very clear with the way they communicate with us and we’re lucky enough to have a solid understanding of how they can do so. From their ears to their eyes, their tail to even their hair, you may be surprised at how many ways we can learn to pick up on the signals they provide us! Learn more about canine body language at the ASPCA website here: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/canine-body-language
- Get Social. Proper socialization is key when it comes to adopting or owning a rescue. While you may have no problem giving the dog all the love it needs, many owners find that socializing their dog to get them used to playing with other dogs is key to a dog’s happiness, ability to be out and about with them in the community, and also requires a diligent effort. While it may seem easiest to just head to the dog park, you’ll want to be sure to organize playdates with other dogs at home and take your dog out on plenty of walks (on-leash) to see how they handle other dogs. An obedience class or other dog training workshops are a great next place to go, as well as an excellent place to meet and get a sense of other dogs and owners for future doggie dates. Next comes the dog park (on-leash) to test interactions, and finally, the leash-off freedom of full dog park socialization! Take it slow, but don’t underestimate the need for social interaction and training with your dog– just like us, dogs are very social creatures.
- Enjoy the benefits! Dogs have a large variety of health benefits for us humans as well, and can benefit our health and wellbeing in a number of ways. Did you know that dog owners have statistically lower blood pressure? Read more about ways pets can improve your health here: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/6-ways-pets-improve-your-health
- Have realistic expectations. Our friends at petfinder.com have the following to say about what you can expect when you’re adopting: Changing behavior takes time. You need to have realistic expectations about changing your dog’s behavior as well as how long it will take to change behaviors that you don’t like. Often behaviors which are “normal” doggie behaviors will take the most time such as barking, digging and jumping. You also need to consider how long your dog has rehearsed the behavior. For example, if you didn’t mind that your dog jumped up on people to say hi for the last seven years and now you decide that you don’t want him to do that anymore, that behavior will take a much longer time to undo than if you had addressed it when he was a pup. Remember it’s never too late to change the behavior some will just take longer than others.
- Give it time. It can take a dog up to a few weeks to get used to its new home, environment, and new best friend– you! Be sure to pay attention to what your dog is telling you (see Step 2: Listen) via body language and cues, and expect a bit of time for your dog to get comfortable, and for you to get to know each other. Some owners report that they don’t get to fully know their dog for a few weeks, so look forward to getting to know one another better, and enjoy the process.
- Puppy-proof the Pad. Make sure that the area where your new dog will leave is completely ready and take care to watch the dog carefully with how he or she interacts with their new environment when you first bring them in. This means taping loose electrical cords to baseboards, storing any chemicals or medicine securely and high out of reach, fastening low cupboards, removing plants and low-lying breakables, and setting up your dog’s crate as necessary as well as any necessary gates and room blockages. Secure all doors and entrances to ensure your dog stays where they are supposed to stay, secure all open water sources (toilets, etc), as well as trash cans. Did you know that some of the plants in your house may be poisonous as well? Be sure to research which ones here (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1684&aid=1553) and rest easy knowing your dog is safe in your new puppy-proof environment.
- Get Outside. Running, fetch, or even the simple walk are the tried and true exercise routines we can enjoy with our dogs, but feel free to get creative. Different breeds have different energy levels and exercise requirements. See if your breed needs extra exercise here: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristic_lists/need-lots-of-exercise Extra energy? Look into local dog agility training courses, which have the added bonus of socialization, obedience training, and networking with other owners. Be sure to familiarize yourself with local dog parks as well for quick visits, and Become a Waggle Ambassador when our program launches (coming soon!) to always support the movement if you’re spending time with one of our dogs up for adoption as well. Bonus tip: can’t get outside? We recommend a favorite toy paired with an indoor obstacle course of boxes and pillows for exercise and agility fun without leaving the house.
- Be Patient. Particularly with younger or untrained dogs, patience is key. While it can take them time to become comfortable in and accustomed to their new home, remember that training starts with day one, and it will be a constant education process between you and your new dog. Potty training, habit training (chewing, digging, barking) will all take time, but will eventually be learned behaviors. These are all behaviors which are learned, not born into the dog, so keep in mind that you are here to teach, and like all great teachers, will need to exercise patience with your new student.
- Have fun! Remember that while owning and adopting a dog can definitely be a challenge at times, you’re doing something great for an animal who does great things for you. Sounds like a sweet deal to us!
