Many people think that bringing home an adopted dog is the same as bringing home a pup. The reality is that these are two very different situations. It’s worth being aware of the difference because this will help ensure that you can immediately start to bond with your new best friend. Here are some tips on the right way to approach bonding that will guarantee you form a great connection
Discover What You Can
You should take this step before you bring your new furry friend home. You need to make sure that you are asking about the likes, dislikes of your new dog. Pay particular attention to food. If your adopted dog is still young, it might be worth considering puppy food available from sites such as https://barkingheads.co.uk/collections/puppy-food. That way you can make sure that they are getting a tasty treat that caters to all their nutritional needs.
Fears are another important consideration. Make sure you do check whether there’s anything your adopted dog is scared of. This could be anything from the hoover to the sound of a car or the doorbell. By knowing your new dog’s fears you can adjust the environment in the right ways.
Time Together
Do make sure that you are spending as much time with your new friend as possible. Ideally, you want to avoid being away from them for more than an hour. A lot of adopted dogs do have fears of abandonment and leaving them alone can make them very distressed. Staying with your dog lets them know that you’re not going anywhere and more importantly, neither are they. Some adopted dogs will take a while before they are comfortable with affection but may simply like to lie down next to you
Set Clear Boundaries
Do make sure that you are setting clear rules with your adopted dog. It’s important that you don’t make things confusing for them. A classic example of this is the sofa. If the dog is going to be allowed up on the sofa whenever they want or when you tell them they can, that’s great. But if they’re not, you shouldn’t let them up on the first day only to tell them they can’t sit there the second. Adopted dogs will respond more if you give them clear messages that are consistent.
Take Care With Introductions
Do make sure that you are being careful about introducing your adopted dog to new people. A dog may get scared if confronted with a lot of people at once and can act defensively. You don’t want to invite everyone around at once to meet them. Instead, try taking it one person at a time. Provide a calming, quiet environment where they can relax and get comfortable with you before they have to deal with others.
Love And Praise
Last but not least, you should regularly praise your adopted dog for good behaviour and start training as soon as you can. Training is a great way to help your dog get to know you and for you to get to know them. It ensures that you do develop a strong bond because a dog will quickly start to pick up on your commands.