Adopting an adult dog is one of the kindest and most rewarding things you can do. But it’s important to remember that your new furry friend has likely been through a lot before landing on your doorstep. They may have lived on the streets, in a shelter, or with an owner who could no longer care for them. As a result, they may also have developed certain habits and preferences when it comes to their daily routine, diet, and behaviour.
This means that it might take them some time to adapt to the change and that they’ll need extra support and patience on your part to get settled in and feel relaxed. Here’s how you can help your rescue dog adjust to their new home:
1. Buy Pet Essentials
Part of easing your new pup’s transition into your house is ensuring she has everything she needs to feel as safe and comfortable as possible. This can include:
- A bed
- High-quality Dubai dog food and treats
- A leash, collar and ID tag
- Bowls for food and water
- Toys
- Grooming tools like shampoo and a brush
2. Prepare Your Home
You might be surprised by how much you’ll have to “dog-proof” your house before bringing in your new pet. A mini checklist you can use to get started includes:
- Making sure any cabinets or drawers that contain chemicals, cleaning supplies or medicines are tightly closed and out of reach.
- Checking for dangling wires, cables and anything they can potentially chew on.
- Installing baby gates for areas where you don’t want them to go.
- Setting up a corner or a den area where your dog can retreat when they need some alone time.
- Securing all trash cans and storing away any food on counters or tables.
3. Let Them Go at Their Own Pace
When she first arrives, your pup will probably feel overwhelmed and a bit nervous. As a result, she may spend her first few days hiding or avoiding contact with you. This behaviour is entirely normal, so you shouldn’t take it personally.
Give her some space to acclimate and let her approach you when she’s ready. You might also want to avoid inviting guests over during this time so your pup can relax and get used to her new surroundings.
4. Don’t Fuss Over Them Too Much
Understandably, you’ll want to shower your new best friend with love and attention. However, for a rescue dog, too much hovering or petting can make an already frightened pooch feel trapped and overly anxious.
Wait for her to come to you. She might do this by sniffing around you, sitting close to you or leaning in for a gentle scratch. When she does, pet her on the side or back for a few seconds and avoid sensitive areas like the head, ears, paws and tail. Wait to see if she initiates more contact; that way, you can be sure she’s comfortable with what’s happening.
5. Create Familiarity Wherever You Can
If your dog had a previous parent or carer, she likely nurtured certain habits and behaviours that your pup is now used to. To help her feel more at ease, find out as much information as possible about her previous life from her last owners or shelter staff and try to incorporate some of these elements into her new routine. Here are a few questions you can ask:
- How often do you take her out for walks, and for how long?
- Does she have a favourite toy or blanket she likes to snuggle with?
- Do you typically feed your dog wet food or dry food? What brand do you use? How often do you feed her?
- Did she sleep in a crate or on a bed?
Of course, you may not always be able to accommodate all of these preferences, especially where your schedule, budget or living space is concerned. Still, even a few small things can make a big difference in how your furry friend adjusts to her new life with you.
6. Introduce Changes Gradually
With any new dog, but rescues especially, take it slow and steady when making changes to their diet, routine or living arrangements.
For instance, if you want to switch her over to a new food brand, mix it in gradually with her old one and increase the ratio slowly over several days. Typically, over the first couple of days, the optimal ratio is 75/25; the next few days, it’s 50/50, and finally, after a week or so, she’ll be on the new food entirely. Too much too soon can wreak havoc on her stomach.
Similarly, when introducing her to your other pets, do so in a neutral space like a park or on a walk instead of bringing her straight into your old dogs’ territory. When walking them together, keep them at a distance where they can see and smell each other but not close enough to touch.
Watch their body language and note any signs of wary or aggressive behaviour like teeth baring, growling or stiff postures. If you see any of these, immediately redirect their attention to something else. But if all you notice is them being calm and curious, praise them and reward them with a treat.
Be Patient
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you certainly can teach your rescue pup many things with consistency, kindness and patience.
Put in the time and effort, and be patient. Before long, you’ll have yourself a loyal and loving companion for life.
