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The arrival of a new tenant in your home is stressful not only for you as a newly minted dog guardian, but especially for your pet. While you understand the situation that is taking place, your dog really has no idea what is happening and why. How to make the process of acclimatization in the new house easier for the dog, and what not to do in order not to add to its stress? We suggest!
First of all, remember that you knew you were going to have a dog, but the dog didn’t know it was going to have you. As a caregiver, you had enough time to get used to the idea and excited about the new event, your dog is thrown into a completely new and unfamiliar situation that he doesn’t understand. Additionally, he is in a strange place with strange people, which only adds to the fear and confusion. During this time, your persistent attempts to make friends with your pet can be overwhelming and most of all stressful for him. Give your pooch time to get accustomed to his new situation, get to know the place he’s come to and you, but let him do so at his own pace and on his own terms when he feels ready. Probably for the first few hours at home, your dog will want to find a quiet, safe corner away from people where he can hide and observe his surroundings. Don’t forcefully pull him out of his hiding place, pick him up and carry him from place to place. Set up bowls near his hiding place and walk away so your dog can feel more confident in his surroundings. In fact, the first interactions must be initiated by the dog and will probably happen only a few days after your first meeting
Before a purchased or adopted dog enters your home, use the adoption process or puppy socialization time to complete a full layette. Buy him toys, food and water bowls, and a bed. This should be sized according to your dog’s size to make him as comfortable as possible while sleeping. A bed for a small dog is not as tiny as it seems, the place where the dog will relax and sleep should be at least 10% wider and 10% longer than the animal itself. Also, find the right place for it – a quiet, calm and not too busy one in the room you spend most time in, and a corner in the bedroom. On top of that, you’ll need to buy food. It must be grain-free, contain as much meat as possible and as few unnecessary additives as possible. The breeder or the employee of the shelter from which you take your dog should inform you about the correct transition to the new food. Cheap dog food is not necessarily bad, just as expensive dog food is not necessarily good. When choosing a pet food for your four-legged friend, always read the ingredients carefully and don’t believe the marketing, which often has little to do with reality
Remember that your dog is a living animal that experiences emotions just as you do and also needs time to adapt to a new situation. Don’t be pushy, curb your excitement and let your dog get to know his surroundings first, and then the scariest part of it – you. Be prepared for many difficult situations – peeing in the house, biting objects, anxiety aggression. These are all natural reactions for a dog, which are practically impossible to avoid. As a new guardian you have to accept the fact that for your pet you are a complete stranger who has not yet earned its trust. To gain it, be patient and very understanding
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