We know that dog adoption during the holidays is quite popular. In many cases puppies are the preferred gift for families at Christmas. We actually wrote and article about a Golden Retriever named Brady, a couple of weeks ago, who was looking for a home for the holidays. Brady was fortunate to be adopted just in time for Christmas.
Below are some great tips for bringing home an adopted dog written by VetDepot, our guest blogger, this month.
Post by VetDepot
Tips for Bringing Home an Adopted Dog
There’s no doubt that your new pooch will be forever grateful for giving him a forever home and you will surely be rewarded with plenty of love, loyalty and companionship in return. However, it’s important to do some planning ahead to make sure the furry new addition to your family gets off to a great start in your home. Below are a few tips to consider before adoption day:
- Do a Family Meet and Greet: All members of your household, including any canine family members, should meet the prospective dog prior to adoption. A possible canine addition to the family may appear to be a little nervous at first, but an aggressive or extremely fearful response toward any individual indicates that this particular dog might not be a good match. Returning a dog to a shelter is extremely hard on the animal, so it’s crucial to make sure everyone gets along before following through with adoption.
- Go Shopping Before Fido Comes Home: Make sure you have all of the basics to make your pup feel comfortable as soon as he gets home. A comfy bed, food and a few toys will ease the transition and help make your sweet pooch feel more at ease at he adjusts to his new surroundings.
- Establish Rules, Routines and Responsibilities: How many walks will the dog go on a day? Who is in charge of feeding? Is the dog allowed on the furniture? Clearly establishing all of these things will benefit both your family and your pooch. There won’t be any disagreements about whose turn it is to give the dog a bath and your furry companion will thrive better in an environment with an established routine and set rules.
- Puppy-Proof your Home: There’s a good chance that many potential puppy (or dog) hazards are lurking around your home. Electrical cords, human medications, chemical cleaning products and children’s toys are just a few of the common household items that should be kept well out of reach from pets.
- Pencil in Some Appointments: It’s a good idea to take your new four-legged companion to the vet for a wellness exam within a couple weeks of adoption. This is an excellent opportunity to ask the vet any questions you might have about vaccinations, nutrition, flea control or anything else. It’s also in your dog’s best interest to sign up for some training sessions because both owners and dogs can benefit from some extra guidance! Schedule these appointments in advance so they don’t fall to the bottom of your to-do list once you’ve brought your new dog home.
A special thank you to VetDepot for writing a very helpful and informative post for Gracie's Bark. If you have adopted a dog recently, Gracie would love to hear more about your new furry friend. Email us anytime at: [email protected].
Don't forget about Gracie's Reaching Out To Rescue segment. Gracie's Bark is happy to spotlight any dogs in need of a good home. We are very willing to do our part in finding the loving homes these dogs need, it is the least we can do! Email us anytime at: [email protected].