If you have decided to adopt a dog from a shelter or are thinking of doing so, it will be essential to be clear about some things that can happen. And it is that an adopted dog can be very confused at the time of arrival at a new home.
It will also be essential to understand how you are going to react at home, on the street and even with other people, also understanding what we should do about it. Always patiently and lovingly.
Keep reading this complete guide on our site to find out all the tips for raising an adopted dog and discover how nice it is to have a rescued best friend One of the best experiences you can have in life.
The behavior of adopted dogs
While some dogs sell for exorbitant amounts, others spend years in a cage waiting for the same opportunity Breed or not Currently, it is possible to find dogs of all kinds in shelters or kennels: small or large, puppies, adults or elderly. It is proposing and searching.
Although they all deserve the same opportunity, adult dogs are not usually so easily adopted, for this reason, if you want an already educated dog by your side and with a stable character an adult or elderly dog is a good option. The center's volunteers will help you choose the best candidate.
The attitude of an adopted dog
Even going through the same experiences, not all dogs will react in the same way: some dogs become shy and skittish when faced with abuse, but others can become aggressive and distrustful. It will depend on each specific case
However, what they do have in common is that abandoned dogs usually take some time to fully trust in their new family, so patience and affection cannot be lacking in your day to day.
Before arrival at home
Prior to arrival, we must ensure that the dog is comfortable when he arrives at his new home. To do this we will prepare everything he needsin advance:
- First of all will be his bed, since spending time in a cage he will appreciate a comfortable place to rest. You can buy it or make it yourself by following the simple step-by-step in our article on how to make a dog bed. Something big is better than too small.
- The second thing will be to place a drinking fountain with plenty of fresh water in a specific place.
- We will also need specific food for their age (junior, adult or senior) and if you want to make their arrival more pleasant, some pâté or canned food, they love it!
- Treats or prizes will be essential to work with him training and positive reinforcement, the tastier they are, the better.
- Some toy or teether will also be essential since some dogs may suffer from anxiety and will have the need to nibble.
- A collar or harness, a leash and bags to collect droppings will be essential to take your new friend out for a walk. Remember that shelters often have financial difficulties so take everything with you when you adopt the dog, so they can use the collar they have for a new tenant.
- It can also happen that your friend arrives excessively dirty. Have a shampoo, a pipette and a toilet brush ready if necessary. You can also take him to a dog groomer and watch them do it if you're inexperienced.
We recommend Review the security of your home completely, making sure you don't leave anything within reach of your new friend that could harm him (glasses glass, toxic plants for dogs or direct access to the garbage). Remove everything you think shouldn't bite.
When we adopt him we should try to find out everything about himsuch as what his past is, if he is afraid of the vet or if gets along well with other dogs. It is very helpful to know all these points. If you do not have information do not worry, little by little you will get to know him. Finally, we recommend you to prepare large doses of cariño, affection and patience
The first days of an adopted dog
When we adopt the dog, on the way home, it is advisable to give him a long walk until you notice that he barely pees and that he is a little tired. In this way, he will be more relaxed at home and if he tries to urinate he will only make a few drops.
When we get home with the dog we must untie him and let him sniff the whole house, without limits. It is important that you get to know your new home, all the rooms and get used to the smells in it to feel comfortable.
It may happen that it tries to mark its territory peeing a little in some corners It is normal for it to do so, especially if you have had other dogs before, do not get overwhelmed, soon it will stop doing it. Remember that it is absolutely not advisable to scold a newly adopted dog, choose to distract him so that he stops doing it.
The first few days can be stressful for both of you. To alleviate hyperactivity, urination at home or other situations, it is highly recommended to walk it at least 4 times a day, adding a total of 90 minutes between all outings. Don't over-exercise him, just let him sniff as much as he wants, a form of relaxation for dogs.
Never force him to interact with people, dogs or perform obedience in certain places. Nothing that can overwhelm you. Try to guide him towards your goals using verbal communication, hand movements and the use of treats. It is also interesting that you learn more about dog language, so you can know at all times if you are tense, uncomfortable or relaxed.
The importance of routine and rules
Dogs are routine animals and thank the organization Set specific times for walks and meals so that your animal can locate and predict what is going to happen at all times. Although this may seem irrelevant to you, the truth is that it is one of the most effective ways to get your dog used to a new home.
It will be basic and fundamental to set some rules of coexistence among the entire family unit. We cannot prohibit something and then allow it, that could confuse the animal a lot. Of course, try to be as tolerant as possible at first, remember that he may be disoriented and scared or that his previous owners were chaotic or did not set rules for coexistence.
Games and fun
In addition to staying indoors and taking walks, your dog needs to enjoy life. He will have spent time in a shelter, without stimulation and entertainment, something that can reduce his ability to learn and cause behavioral problems.
You must prepare to do activities with him, be it going to the mountains, the beach or playing ball. Intelligence games or interactive toys can help you a lot when it comes to stimulating him. Making him happy will be essential to enjoy a he althy and affectionate dog Spend time with your new pet.
Basic training commands
Also essential will be practice the basic commands: stay still, come, sit and lie down (among others). It will be essential to guarantee its safety if in the future we decide to leave it without a leash. It will also be very useful in everyday life at home or to improve your communication. Try to be patient, constant and adapt the sessions to their learning pace.
You can spend about 10 minutes a day practicing commands. Generally, 10 to 30 repetitions will be enough for your dog to learn to carry out a basic command. Do not abuse time, remember that you must offer the maximum well-being possible.
That's right, don't think about letting your dog go if he still doesn't listen to you. You could inadvertently put him at risk. You can practice the commands at home or in a fenced pipi-can.
What should the walks of an adopted dog be like?
Especially during the first few days we must not be demanding at all with our dog during walks. We must allow him to sniff around him (this helps him to get his bearings and relax), to walk a little where he wants so that he can feel comfortable
If you pull hard on the strap, do not pull it too, you can cause damage to your neck or intraocular pressure. Better get yourself a anti-pull harness or teach your dog to walk alongside you, effective and safe ways to improve the quality of the walk.
When your dog is more used to walking and can effectively hold his urine, you should determine a specific walking routine. Discover on our site what you should avoid during the walk or how long each of them should last.
What to do if an adopted dog doesn't fit in?
It is not always easy for adopted dogs to know how to treat them. Sometimes some adopted dogs do not behave as they should as a result of poor education in the past Lack of socialization, behavior based on punishment or fears do not exceeded are some of the most common causes.
Below we explain the most common behavior problems and how you are going to have to act. Of course, remember that the most appropriate thing will be to contact a professional, be it a dog educator, trainer or an ethologist. Always look for a professional who works with positive reinforcement:
- Aggressive Adopted Dog: Contrary to popular belief, aggression is not a particularly difficult problem to treat. They are generally related to the use of punishment methods or a lack of socialization in their puppy stage. This process should be handled by an experienced professional, since someone without experience can worsen the condition by trying to treat it with inappropriate methods. Discover tips to keep in mind when dealing with an aggressive dog.
- Scary Adopted Dog: Fear, depending on its level, can be difficult to deal with. The main thing will be to offer the animal space and never force it to interact with anyone it does not want (whether they are objects, people or pets). Little by little and always with your supervision, your dog will begin to open up to the world, but if this is not the case, it is best to go to a professional as well. Take special care with fearful dogs and never leave them off the leash, as they tend to run away and get lost.
- Dog that urinates or defecates in the house: if your dog relieves himself in the house, don't worry, you're not the first what happens in this situation. We know that it is unpleasant and that sometimes it can cause discomfort, but you must understand that your new friend probably does not know how to do it. You will have to teach him as if he were a puppy. Walk him regularly to prevent urination at home and don't forget to congratulate him in the street every time he urinates, this way he will remember what to do. It is always more effective to congratulate than to scold the animal, remember that. This process takes time but if you are willing you will achieve it more quickly than you think. Find out how to teach a puppy to urinate outside or how to teach an adult dog to urinate outside.
- Crying, howling and other related signs: If you notice him crying in your presence, you just need to be patient. Maybe he misses his siblings, his cage mate, or the volunteers. Try offering him treats and playing with him to gain his trust and distract him. Little by little you will notice that it stops doing it. It is a habitual behavior and the use of toys and your attention are fundamental.
- Dog not eating: If your dog is not eating or drinking water, take him to the vet immediately to rule out a he alth problem. Sometimes it is due to the anxiety and sadness they suffer or to being terribly scared. Try offering him pâté, sweets or any kind of tasty food.
- Dog cries, urinates or destroys when you're not home: The dreaded separation anxiety can affect many adopted dogs. It can happen in different ways: incessant barking when you leave, crying, broken objects… Some long-lasting toys, such as the kong, can help you distract him for a long time. These types of behavior problems are complicated to treat and usually require a visit from a specialist.
The bad behavior can have many causes and you won't always be able to really figure out what happened in his previous life. Now it's your turn to teach him to live together and feel loved.
Remember that a dog can learn, no matter how old it is. Although you may need more patience and repetition, the truth is that you can get your dog to behave in the right way if you practice and always use positive reinforcement.
Tips
- Don't forget to take him to the vet.
- Always use positive reinforcement.
- Be patient and understanding.
- Don't forget to identify it with a badge and chip.
- Offer the best care.
- Don't pressure him and always be very positive.
- Practice training.
- Don't wear him untied.
