Let Your Pup Decompress

By Gary Newcomb


Gary is a contributing editor and works closely with The Little Red Dog as a volunteer and trainer. His own company PawsRMade4Walkin.com works with families who currently have problems with their pups. You can also listen to Gary every other week on our Podcast, For The Love of Dog

Please Welcome Fido To The Show!

When you adopt a dog, there will be a transition period where the dog is settling in and you are getting to know each other. Those first days and weeks are going to be the foundation for your new life together.

Imagine being taken by people you don't know, driven somewhere you've never been and told it's your new family and home. Many dogs experience the same nervousness you and I would in the situation.

When you bring a dog home, they need time to decompress. Allowing them the time and space to get back to a calm state of mind, and comfortably get to know the new environment. During that time, try to keep everything calm and soothing for them. Give the dog love with gentle guidance, exercise and playing. Bonding through quiet times together at their pace.

PREPARE SPACES:
Designated cozy spots where the dog is allowed to relax are important, and comfy bedding is necessary. The dog should have some common area beds as well as safe spaces in the home that they can retreat to.

GIVE THEM SPACE:
  • The natural reaction to getting a new furry family member is wanting to love on them, inviting family and friends to meet them, and making them the center of the party! Don't.
  • Forcing too much on your pup may scare them and make them feel vulnerable. By doing this, you can inadvertently make your dog scared in their new home, requiring training to overcome.
  • Give your dog space for the first few days. If they want affection, they will come to you when they feel comfortable.
  • If the dog comes in, ready for love and wanting to play tug right away, great! Your transition will be easier. But if your new friend is reluctant at all, give them a few days to a couple weeks where they can gradually acclimate to their new surroundings and family.

BUT...
In this transition period, it is important to still establish all the rules and boundaries you intend to have. Something I say all the time: "Never allow a dog to do something you don't always want it to do".

This includes a new dog!

Gary Newcomb
Dog Trainer for 17 years and Owner of Paws R Made 4 Walkin
PawsRMade4Walkin.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fostering Saves Lives

Image
Fostering saves lives, but it's not for the faint of heart. As much as we need good fosters, wimps need not apply. In fact, you must have a pretty high tolerance level—or what I like to call a grit level. For example a wimp with a grit level of one would be a family who gives up on a pup, when it decides to potty on their new carpet. Conversely, a grit level of 10 would be someone who just got bit in the face, but decides to carry on anyway. For our cause, we need you to be at grit level 4 or better. Now, I do not want discourage anyone who wants to step up and foster a pup. However, if you decide to throw your hat in the ring, don't do it to make yourself feel good—or to get a pat on the back. Do it because you realize the dog needs you for the period it will take to get adopted, no matter how long this might take. Yes, no matter how long. In fact, on average, it takes just over 4 months for these furry animals to find their forever home. You must endure barking, jumping, a
Read more

Dog Behavior and How it Should Guide Adoptions

Image
Recently I have been scrutinized more than usual for being too difficult on potential adopters. I can always take the heat, but at the same time I attempt to keep an open mind, wondering if I could soften my tone or water down the scrutiny. But here is the issue. It's our organizations responsibility to ensure that once a dog is placed in a home that the environment is safe, secure and loving for both the pup and the family. In order to facilitate this decision, we focus on dog behavior. The more the potential family knows or is willing to learn, governs directly in how successful they will be with the chosen dog. In other words, if a family has only ridden a moped I am not going to let them have a Harley Davidson—especially if they are not wiling to learn how to ride it correctly. To me focusing on dog behavior is common sense and all rescue facilities should make it standard practice. However, the hard truth is, most do not. Also, city, county and state dog shelters are so ov
Read more