Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great idea if we allow the possibility of adopting a breed-specific dog or a cute crossbreed. Anyone who wants to provide their dog with a comfortable, caring home, a new friend will repay with great trust and loyalty.

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Common beginnings

Each "shelter" doggie will behave differently at home than during the first walk together in the shelter or in its cage. The adaptation process will require great commitment and efforts by new caregivers to make the new household member feel safe. Habit is second nature to dogs, but before this happens, we should be very patient and gentle.

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How to deal with it

       * After arriving home, take the pooch for a walk, indicating the place where his needs should be taken care of. Once this process is underway, it should be commended, possibly giving a small reward, and returning home.
       * Consistency in relation to the dog is very important, so it is important to establish the rules for the house (where the dog can go in and out, what he can play or sit on the couch, etc.) and make sure that each of the household members obeyed them.
       * One of the basic needs of dogs is a sense of security, which ensures the repetition of daily activities.
       * Do not allow yourself to feed your dog on demand. Initially, his appetite can be enormous, but the sooner the regular mealtimes and the specific order of the day settle, the sooner the dog will get used to it, and the functioning of his digestive tract will be significantly stabilized.
       * For the first few days, the newcomer should be given the feed that was at the shelter. It can be slowly changed over time, giving up the old food for the new one for a period of 5-7 days. Food should be complete and balanced.

       * Do not let your pet leash in an open space until he is properly trained. Learning to come on command is an important part of the process of raising a dog and building a bond.
       * The dog should not be punished in any way. Punishment can turn against the owner, because - as we know - aggression creates aggression.
       * Each dog is different, therefore the adaptation process may take several weeks to many months, which should be remembered when deciding to adopt any animal.
       * Patience and a friendly attitude will result in a great dog-human relationship for many years!
 

       My shelter friend has been with me for 5 years. His trauma must have been enormous - he was afraid of men, the rustle of plastic bags, and the entrance to the basement, although it is a residential part of the house. The inmates' love for Guzik has prevailed, and he fully captures it, adding genuine affection. However, his fears still exist (to a much lesser degree) to this day. Still, this graying face is the ultimate friend and protector, pampered with treats. He waits for them, reveling in the scent - he is not allowed to enter the dog's kitchen at that time - and peering with one eye from behind the corner. His curious faces, smiles, waving his paw are joyful compensation for not too frequent (fortunately) waking up at night when he feels an animal walking in the garden. Unfortunately, there are also night meetings with a skunk and forced bathing.

 

If you are interested in adopting a dog or cat, if you want a true, devoted, and loyal friend, check out your nearest animal shelter or https://orphansofthestorm.org/

Best wishes - Anna

You are welcome - www.snackfordog.com; etsy - snackfordog

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“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.” 

Elizabeth Taylor (actress)