Adopting a dog
If you are thinking about choosing a dog or have already decided on one, read the following brief adoption tips.
You will also need to fill out a pre-adoption questionnaire.
Adoption
About being a guardian of a four-legged dog
Being a guardian
Being a dog's guardian, not its master, is a responsibility for years to come. Don't makethe decision to adopt a dog emotionally. Being with a dog is a great pleasure, but also a duty.
Character of the dog
You can adopt a puppy, about which it is not yet possible to say much, but you can take an adult dog, with already formed character, about which we will tell you much more.
Relationship with a dog
In any case, you will have to devote time to your dog. The kind of relationship you develop with Him will depend mainly on this.
Understand your pet
A dog is an uncompromising and faithful friend, but it requires work. A dog needs many things to be taught, understood and helped to get used to.
Before you adopt
Answer the questions
What kind of dog are you looking for – puppy, adult, small, large?
What type of dog are you interested in – a guard dog, a working dog, a couch potato, a
watchdog (…)?What kind of person are you – energetic, athletic type, phlegmatic?
Are you ready to take a new companion under your roof?
Will you be able to provide him with the right conditions?
Will you have the right amount of time for him?
Do you realize that owning a dog is an expense – food, sleeping, toys, vet visits?
Consider whether you can take time off to be with him in the early days?
Will you spend the vacations – with him or will you have someone to leave him with?
What expectations do you have of your dog? Do you realize that he will have his own?
Have you made the decision to adopt and know what kind of dog you want?
Great!
- Let your dog move freely around the apartment. Let him get acquainted with the place, the smells, find his safe corner for himself.
- Immediately after adoption, some dogs may
experience separation or anxiety. It is necessary to give the dog time to settle down. - Remember, a dog has many times better sense of smell and hearing than a human, so what will happen around him is important.
- Praise him for any good behavior, approach you – you can use treats, verbal praise,
stroking. - Let your dog get a decent night’s sleep. This can be difficult at first, as many dogs sleep on what is called alertness. It takes time for this sleep to develop into deep sleep.
- Provide your dog with constant access to water, there are dogs that drink a lot when they are stressed.
- At first, do not force the dog to be active. Time will come for that. In the first days, do
not bring the whole family, friends to the house. Give the dog time to get used to the new situation. - Introduce people one at a time so as not to make the dog stressed.
- A shelter dog often does not smell very nice, but hold off on bathing for a few days. Give the dog time to become accustomed and trust you.
- Be prepared for your dog to develop diarrhea, this may be related to stress, change of place, food – within a few days everything should normalize, if not, definitely go to the vet.
- Remove from your dog’s surroundings any dangerous objects that he may swallow, for example.
- Don’t feed human treats to animals. Chocolate, or some spices, are poisonous to your dog.
- Remember to take walks and bond with him. The more you give him peace and passive proximity, the sooner he will start behaving naturally and let you get close.