Wisconsin humane societies and pet rescues all over the state are emptying out as people are taking the Safer At Home order as an opportunity to adopt new pets. Welcoming a new pet into your home can be such a fun and exciting experience for the entire family. It can also become overwhelming if you don’t have a plan in place to teach your new dog appropriate household behaviors. Here are five tips to make sure that your dog will be a happy and healthy member of your family.
- Start a routine right away. Your new dog is going through a lot of changes right now. Help ease their stress by making their day predictable with consistent bedtimes, playtimes, and boundaries in the home.
- Don’t assume a dog at any age is fully potty trained. Even a fully potty-trained dog can have accidents under stress. Make sure you let your puppy outside 30 minutes after eating or drinking, and one hour for older dogs. Most importantly, don’t get mad at your dog for having an accident. Instead, take them outside quickly and show them where they can go potty.
- Crate train your new dog. The crate is a great place for your dog to relax and recharge in their own space. Crate training your dog will be helpful for having guests over, traveling to pet-friendly hotels, and sleeping peacefully through the night.
- Supervise your dog’s free time. There are so many new and exciting sights and smells in your home, and your dog is going to want to explore them all! Until you know how your dog will treat your belongings, don’t leave them unattended. They need to be taught that your jacket is not a chew toy, and that the new rug isn’t a substitute for going potty outside.
- Start slow and give your dog time to adjust. As we’ve said, joining a new home is a lot to process. Your new dog will need time to adjust to your routines, your family, and your expectations. Be patient and allow them time to warm up to their new surroundings without forcing new experiences on them.
It can be so rewarding to bring a new dog into your home. Help your new family member adjust to your home by taking things slow and allowing them time to understand appropriate household behaviors.
If you have any questions on how to implement these tips or any other strategies, please reach out to us at 608-561-3314 or info@copperridgetraining.com. We are here to help make this a smooth transition for your family!