You just saved a life. A dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) pulled at your heart and after visiting her, you took her home to be your companion. You’re excited but a little nervous (which is normal). It’s a big step to introduce a dog into your home, and you want to do all you can to ensure your new family member has a smooth transition to your residence.
But how do you do that?
“It’s all a matter of giving your new dog time to adjust,” said Karen DeCamp, who trains dogs at the ACAS with Susi Cohen. “Their world has been turned upside down, and each dog is different regarding how quickly they adjust and get comfortable in their home environment.”
Here are five tips for making your dog adoption a success:
1. Prepare by purchasing must-have items. Having the right tools can ease the stress and smooth the transition for your dog from shelter to home. Purchase food bowls, beds, leashes, harnesses, toys and dog crate ahead of time.
2. Let your new dog decompress. When dogs leave the shelter, they are happy, excited, scared – a mixture of emotions. Give your adopted dog a few days to decompress and relax. She likely didn’t sleep well in the shelter, so don’t be surprised if she curls up and goes to sleep when she first enters your home.
3. Be patient and establish a strict routine. “Be consistent when you get your new dog home,” Cohen advises. “Take her out at the same time, feed her at the same time. Be rigid with her routine. This establishes discipline, keeps the dog focused and helps her get acclimated to her new situation.” For the first few weeks, you should also avoid taking your dog to busy places, such as dog parks or social gatherings. Try to limit interaction to your immediate family.
4. Crate train your dog. Crate training is a great way to help your dog feel safe and less anxious when you have to leave her alone to go to work or run errands. “Most dogs feel more secure if they have a place where they feel safe, and a crate can accommodate that need,” Cohen said. “Make it comfortable by putting a dog bed inside and leave the door open to start so it is welcoming to your dog. She needs to feel safe.
5. Slowly introduce your dog to other pets. Before adopting another dog, a meet and greet with your dog at the shelter is strongly recommended. This will better ensure your dogs are a good match. To introduce them at home, DeCamp recommends walking them near each other on neutral ground that is not your current dog’s “territory.” This way, they can check each other out during the natural, positive activity of a walk.
Everyone who adopts a dog from the shelter receives a voucher for a free training session and can contact the ACAS trainers for guidance. “If you have any problems or questions, just call us,” Cohen said. “We’re here to help.”
— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
