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Welcoming a dog into your family is an exciting experience, but it requires a lot of hard work and commitment.
After all, they’re a living being with unique needs, so you must make sure that you make your home welcoming for them.
If you’re rescuing a dog, then they’ll have even more specific requirements. Rescue dogs come from a variety of backgrounds, so they need extra support and love when they move into their forever home.
Rescuing dogs has become popular in 2020, so if you’re one of the many homeowners looking to introduce a rescue pup into your family, here are some practical ways to prepare your home for their arrival.
Prepare Everything You Need In Advance
It’s essential that you have everything you need ready for when you bring your new pet home. So, visit the pet store and choose the bowls, beds and blankets that your pet can enjoy.
Make sure you have the appropriate dog food, you can check out Ultimate Pet Nutrition for all natural products to make sure your new pet is well fed.
As well as physical items, you should also take care of any paperwork before they arrive, so that you’ve got everything ready for them. Register your dog with a local vet and arrange for a checkup once you bring them home. Take out a dog insurance policy to ensure that, if an accident occurs, then you’re covered. Everypaw’s dog insurance offers a range of policies so that you can find the one that suits your needs and keeps your rescue pet safe and happy.
Establish House Rules
Before your new dog arrives, you need to discuss the house rules with your family. You all need to be consistent, so talk to them so that you’re all on the same page. If your rescue dog is allowed on the sofa by one family member but told off by another for getting on it, then they could become confused. Make sure that everyone knows what the rules are and how to follow them. Consider creating a chart to make it easy for everyone to check the rules and follow them correctly.
Create A Space For Your New Dog
Moving to a new home can be overwhelming for everyone, but rescue dogs can find it incredibly hard. If they’ve had several homes in the past, or been mistreated, then it might take them time to settle into your home. As such, you should give them a space where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed or stressed. Consider putting a crate in a quiet part of the house and filling it with comfortable blankets and toys. Show your dog the crate when they arrive, and try not to disturb them if they retreat there.
Be Prepared For Accidents
Accidents happen to the best of us, but being prepared will help you to avoid serious issues. Some rescue dogs might need retraining, or they might simply be nervous, causing them to go to the bathroom in your home. As such, you should try to prepare for this eventuality by removing any rugs or soft furnishings, such as cushions, from the floor. If your home has carpet, then consider laying down puppy pads on sections of the floor to encourage your new rescue pet to relieve themselves there. Even the most prepared pet owners face the odd incident, so keep strong floor cleaners and air fresheners on hand just in case.
Keep Houseplants Out Of Reach
Some popular houseplants are poisonous to dogs, but they’re also a tempting treat for a curious dog. As such, you should put all houseplants out of reach of your dog. If your rescuing a large dog, then consider putting the plants in a room that they’re not allowed to enter, or on a high shelf. For smaller dogs, simply placing the plants further back on a table should suffice. If you’re unsure if your dog can reach your houseplants, then it’s better to be safe than sorry, so move them to another room or put them up high. By being proactive, you’ll reduce the chances of a potentially dangerous incident occurring.
Check That Any Other Pets Are Healthy
If you already have other pets, then you should make sure that they are healthy before you welcome your new arrival. Some infections and diseases are contagious, so check that your pets don’t have them before you welcome your new dog. You should also check with the rescue centre to make sure that your new dog is healthy before they arrive at home. If one of your animals is ill, then keep them separate from your new rescue dog until they recover, so that all of your pets are enjoy healthy, active lives.
It might take time for your rescue pup to settle into their new home, so be patient with them. Use these tips to make the transition easier on both of you.
