Image Credit pixabay.com license CC0
Bringing a new dog into your family can be joyful. Dogs become a part of the family very quickly. They help bring you closer together and provide you with the reason and motivation to get out and go for a walk.
With lots of dogs out there to chose from, it can be hard. But one of the most rewarding ways to get your dog is to take in a rescue from a rehoming center.
There are a lot of different reasons that dogs end up in rehoming centers, it may be that their last owners had over-committed themselves and did not realize how much work owning a dog might be. It could be that their personal circumstances changed and they were unable to keep the pet anymore. Or, the reason may have been something quite sad or distressing. Generally, if you are rehoming a dog, you will not know too much about their history though. But you could be helping a dog that really needs a loving family and a forever home.
Finding The Right Dog
It is important that the dog that you rescue is right for you, and you are right for them. Every dog has their own personality and their own set of needs. Some dogs need lots of walks, while others will need a quieter life where they can stay at home by their owner’s side as much as possible. Speak with the rehoming center and find out as much as you can about the dogs you like before you make a decision. Find out about how they may get on with other members of your family. It is always especially important to find out about how a dog may act around children and other pets.
You may need to spend some time with the dog to make sure you are the right fit, and the center may want to do a home visit to see where the dog will live.
Getting Your Home Ready
Before you bring your dog home, make sure you have got a bed, a lead, some toys, home comforts such as blankets, and plenty of natural dog food. A healthy diet is vital for a dog, and you should pay attention to the ingredients and nutritional information as you will want to get the best.
Ongoing Support And Care
When you bring your dog home, it may take them a few weeks or even up to a few months to settle in. They will quickly adapt, but they will always benefit greatly if they have a routine.
Some rescue dogs may have separation anxiety. This is not uncommon and it is natural when a dog has been through a traumatic time. This can be managed over time with separation training and with the support of a dog behaviorist.
Setting boundaries and teaching them how you would like them to behave is important, but to do this you should always use a positive reinforcement technique by rewarding good behavior rather than telling off the bad.