Oh, the excitement when a family decides to take in a new dog! It’s time to grab the dog, and off you go on adventures, right? That’s not the best idea. Here are five helpful tips to make the transition easier for your new dog and you.
Tip One: Visit Ahead of Time
If at all possible, plan some visits with the dog before you take them home. Visit earlier in the day when dogs are at their best. Include some playtime and reward the meet and greet visits with a treat.
Tip Two: The Pick-Up
When it is time to bring home your fur-ever friend, if possible, ask for a piece of the dog’s bedding or something holding the scent of their first home to take with you. Keep this memento with the dog for at least two weeks. If possible Also take some of the dog’s current food home with you, and or write down their feeding times what they have been eating and when so you can follow their usual schedule and make a slow transition to a new routine.
Tip Three: The Initial Homecoming
Follow These Quick Tips For Your Dog’s Homecoming
- Visit your yard to go potty, first thing!
- Put on the pup’s leash and tour your home
- Start right away teaching house rules on tour (Allowed on the furniture or not? Etc.)
- Keep consistent about every training and rule including sleeping, eating, and housebreaking.
- Be patient and give the process time. The transition can take three months.
Tip Four: Meeting the Rest of the Family
The rule of thumb for meeting other people and other pets? Do it one at a time in a large neutral area like a fenced-in yard. This is something you want to keep a handle on for at least three months. Dogs who appear submissive at first can change their behavior with familiarity, so you want to be in charge regarding any interactions with other pets or family members.
Tip Five: Make a Great Life for Your New Dog
There are a multitude of things you can do to make life better for your new dog.
- Keep their diet and exercise the same for at least two weeks as they adjust. After that, you can gradually make changes.
- Dogs, by nature, are never happy when you leave. Always exit and return calmly. Leave nice lighting, bedding, water, and a radio playing when you’re gone.
- Utilize supportive supplements to help your dog with the transition. Turn to Calming Formula™ and Probiotic Daily™ from Terry Naturally® Animal Health.
Here’s why: Calming Formula helps dogs manage stress, supporting their ability to stay calm and relaxed. It doesn’t cause drowsiness, and it works quickly. Calming Formula is perfect for life events like traveling, going to the groomer, loud noises like fireworks, and yes, transitioning to a new home! Probiotic Daily helps support proper digestion and bowel health with two powerful probiotics. It’s another great idea for a pet in transition.
Follow these five tips, and enjoy every happy, healthy moment with your new dog!
