Months of preparing have culminated in the arrival of your long-awaited new furry family member. How can you assist your new dog or puppy in acclimating to their new environment? Here are some pointers for a more seamless transition.
Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian
Whether you adopted your pet from a shelter, a rescue organization, or a reputable breeder, it is critical to take your new dog or puppy to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Often, your breeder or rescue organization will request this initial visit anyway.
Bring any vaccination, deworming, or other veterinarian documents with you to assist in charting your pet’s health history. If your dog has not yet been spayed or neutered, this can be planned or your veterinarian can advise you on the proper age for your breed.
Bring a fresh stool sample in with you to be tested if feasible, especially if it appears watery. Even with respectable breeders, intestinal parasites and illnesses are widespread due to the environment’s constant presence.
Additionally, the normal digestive equilibrium of a dog may have been disturbed by transit or a new water source. This may result in looser stools in a previously healthy dog or puppy. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or suggest that you try a pet probiotic or even incorporate a little amount of yogurt into your pet’s feed to restore balance.
Expect only a few hours of sleep the first night or two
Anyone, including your new dog or puppy, finds change difficult. It is natural for an adjustment phase to occur, complete with whining or howling at night.
Adjustments for puppy sleep
A puppy may be missing its mother, littermates, or just their familiar environment. They may moan, wail, or even howl for an extended period of time.
Numerous experts recommend confining your puppy at night in a crate or enclosure. This will serve as their safe haven and will also help them develop excellent toileting habits, since they are unlikely to pollute their sleeping space. You may place your puppy’s crate adjacent to your sleeping area so you can respond to their requirements, or you can place it away to avoid succumbing to temptation and allowing the puppy to sleep with you.
Whether your puppy was napping but suddenly begins to scream, take them outdoors or to their puppy pad to determine if they just want a bathroom break. The puppy may require a small sip. A little puppy may even require a modest snack. Make it a small play date. Simply attend to their immediate requirements and then release them to their container.
Adjustments for adult dogs throughout the night
An elderly rescue dog may feel more at ease and sleep comfortably in the relative stillness of your house than they have in a long time. Alternatively, they may pace, uncertain if they are genuinely safe.
If your senior dog is housebroken, you can determine if they prefer a kennel or being attached to your bed. The transition time is generally simpler for mature dogs, depending on their circumstances.
Whether your dog is young or old, a gentle pat on the head and some soothing words can often be all that is required to soothe a pet that is feeling a little disoriented in a strange area in the dark.
Solicit comfort goods from their initial residence
If your dog was rescued, he or she will have nothing familiar to cling to. However, if your pet was rehomed from another owner or is being adopted from a breeder, having a little blanket or towel that smells like their previous home is beneficial.
Even old toys from a previous residence might help a new living arrangement feel more at ease.
Avoid rushing their social calendar
If your new puppy has not yet had all of their vaccinations, you will not want to take them anywhere where there are other dogs. Avoid dog parks, obedience courses, and rest areas until your puppy has had all of its vaccinations. Otherwise, your puppy may be at risk of contracting certain frightening diseases, including Parvo, which is sometimes deadly.
Meanwhile, you may expose a puppy to basic training ideas at home and socialize them in a private yard with the pets of friends. If your puppy is little enough, they can still enjoy outings while safely secured in a sling or other carrier.
Even if your new dog is completely vaccinated, he or she may still be healing from a recent spay or neuter procedure. They will require time and space for physical and potentially emotional healing.
Allow a day or two for your new dog to acclimatize to their new schedule and gradually introduce new activities. Maintain a comfortable and confident demeanor in unfamiliar circumstances, since your dog will pick up on your emotional cues.
Each dog is unique. Certain dogs require caution (e.g., a puppy mill rescue), while others are prepared to take on the world under your cautious eye.
Provide an abundance of toys and dog chews
If your dog or puppy is hyperactive or worried, nothing beats a healthy chew outlet for helping your pet work out their tensions. Experiment with a range of toys to see which ones your new pet enjoys. Consider a traditional KONG or Buckle-Down dog toy for high-energy canines. Generally, pups enjoy anything with a squeaker or crinkly paper.
Remember, a family that plays together, stays together! Playing with your new puppy is an excellent way for both of you to bond. To deepen your bond, try retrieve toys, tug toys, and other interactive dog toys. Play is about building trust, and your dog will sense when you take the time to play with them.
Take a walk with your dog
A regular stroll is another excellent approach to strengthen your relationship with your pet. Leash training is another excellent method of teaching your dog to look to you for direction.
It may take some time to get the hang of the expedition, and some tweaks may be necessary to accommodate your dog’s reactions in different situations, but this walking routine will quickly become another enjoyable and rewarding event for you and your dog to share.
Don’t forget to completely vaccinate small puppies prior to bringing them for a stroll in locations where other dogs have been. To begin public walks with your pet, practice leash training around the home, in your backyard, and potentially in front of your house until your veterinarian gives you the green light.
Assisting your dog in adjusting to their new life with you may take time and patience, but with a good attitude and plenty of love, you’ll be on your way to a lifetime of friendship.
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