Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates
All too often, when a rescue dog is adopted, the new guardians expect a perfect relationship immediately. This dog needs love and you are determined to give him the best life possible. You envision long walks in the woods, snuggle time on the couch and fun camping trips with your canine. It is not always that simple.
Here are some issues that may arise to complicate life:
• Your new dog may have a lot of pent up energy because he hasn’t been provided with an opportunity to get ample exercise. He may have spent a great deal of time in a crate or kennel and is excited to be moving his body. He is most likely going to be super excited to be in your company. It typically takes a dog at least two weeks to settle down and become accustomed to his new home.
• Your puppy might be afraid of the changes in his life, even though they are an improvement. It can take a long time for a dog to warm up and feel comfortable with a new family and home – some dogs take longer than others. Try to give your dog quiet time, away from the people who are anxious to meet him. Again, a few weeks of peace and quiet might be necessary for him to adjust.
• Just because a dog has not been around a cat or children does not spell doom and gloom. Your dog may grow to love them in time. Hopefully, you will be provided with a thorough history of your new dog’s past to learn about his preferences. If that is not possible, try to provide introductions with your cat or child, to see how the dog interacts. Your dog may need time to adjust to these other family members. When not directly supervising, separate everyone until they are clearly comfortable with each other.
• Some dogs have had horrendous past lives and will need patience and compassion. You may not know what the dog has experienced – neglect and abuse. You do know that every dog wants to be loved and be part of a loving family. Take things slowly, do not force your dog into situations that will traumatize him. Let him go at his own pace. Build his confidence by gradually allowing him to have positive experiences. Utilize positive training opportunities to build confidence in your dog.
Some other issues to consider when adopting a dog. Don’t be afraid to adopt an older dog, they are slower and need less exercise. Most likely, potty training and puppy proofing will not even be an issue. Older dogs can be ideal companions.
Remember that your dog is an individual regardless of his breed. Knowing your dog’s breed is important and can provide some information about typical qualities inherent in various breeds, but is by no means a guarantee of what to expect from your pup. Personality is far more important than the label given to dogs of a particular breed. Think about the unfair treatment of pit bulls as a result of these misconceptions.
So many people do not give their new pet an opportunity to settle in and allow for his true colors to shine through. If he is not perfect immediately, or he needs more time to get along with your current cat or dog, chews up some things, or has a few potty accidents, don’t assume that he won’t work out in your home. Be patient and allow him to develop and become a part of your life. You will never regret your decision to give this being a chance to blossom and love you more than anything in the world. Love like this is precious and hard to find!
