Important Things To Remember When Adopting A Dog ...So That You'll Both Be Happy!
Aimee and I have a goal to adopt a dog soon from a local shelter. Aimee is a research expert and last night she found a great article on some of the most important things you'll ever do before bringing a new addition to your family home.
The article Successfully Adopting a Rescue Dog can be found at a great Website: dogbreedinfo.com
Here are just a few tips
- Walking your dog everyday is the #1 thing you must do.
It is key for the canine's mental and physical health. However, you must make your dog walk beside you or behind you - never in front. In dog world, having the dog walk in front of you communicates to the dog that he/she is the pack leader and he/she bears the responsibility for leading humans when exactly the opposite is true. In order for the dog to release its physical/mental energies, they must be taken on a long walk and walk beside/behind you.
- Be aware that a dog's instinct is to migrate, therefore, before you bring your dog home from the shelter the first thing you should do is walk it!
If you can't take it for a walk right outside the shelter, take it to a park to walk it before you get home. A dog's instinct is to migrate, and walking will copy that instinct. After being in a cage for a period of time, the dog will have stress and energy to burn off
- Do not shower your dog with hugs and kisses when you first adopt him/her.
This is an invasion of the dog's space. They have to get to know you first and YOU have to establish yourself as pack leader. In other words you have to speak to your dog through your actions.
- When you bring your dog home, don't just release the leash and let it run all over the place.
Keep him/her on the leash and walk it to the rooms where he/she will be allowed to go. Keep it on the leash and let it sit in each room for about 10 minutes. This lets the dog understand that again you are the pack leader and you are allowing him/her to have what you have not the other way around
- When walking in or out of a doorway, make sure you go first and the dog follow.
Again, this communicates to the dog that he/she is not the pack leader. They will be more content following you in the long run and less stressed out. Stick your foot out (gently) to stop the dog from going ahead of you. Make sure you are outside first then have the dog follow.
I hope these tips come in handy ....and by the way ...the most important thing is that we rescue as many as we possibly can!
And Remember For All Of Your Real Estate Needs In The Bristol TN-VA and Surrounding Area....GoWithRobThomas.com
or Give Me A call at 423-341-6954
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