Dog lovers preparing to adopt or rescue are receiving expert advice on how to effectively welcome their new furry companions and ensure a smooth transition into their home.
ON International Dog Day (26 August), the dog training experts at ACME Kennels have shared essential tips for those planning to adopt a dog, ensuring they’re fully prepared to provide their new companion with everything needed to thrive.
Image credit: ACME Kennels
With an estimated 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK*, international Dog Day, created by Colleen Paige in 2004, encourages adoption, raises awareness of animal welfare and promotes responsible pet ownership.
Adopting or rescuing a dog is a deeply rewarding but huge commitment, requiring an owner to educate themselves, understand the dog’s unique needs and be honest with both themselves and the rescue organisation about their ability to handle potential training or behavioural challenges.
In addition to learning about the dog’s temperament, key tips for a smooth transition include having the right gear, establishing consistent household rules and teaching basic training depending on their specific needs.
Ben Mcfarlane, dog expert from ACME Kennels , said: “Adopting or rescuing a dog comes with its own unique challenges, requiring careful preparation and knowledge, with key considerations both before adoption and once the dog is home, to ensure a smooth transition and support their well-being.
“A well-prepared home and owner are crucial for the dog’s happiness and development, so research which breed is right for you, prepare your space, gather equipment, set house rules and consider their personality when making training decisions.”
Five top tips to help welcome an adopted dog to the home:
- Understand the dog’s breed, temperament and needs
Before adopting, it’s important to consider the dog’s specific requirements. Whether young or old, rehoming a dog can present unique challenges- such as house training a puppy or managing behavioural issues in a fearful dog, which may require time, patience and professional support.
To be fair to both owner and dog, thorough research is essential before bringing them home.
- Make critical decisions before the dog arrives home
It’s essential to make key decisions before bringing a new dog home to avoid confusion and establish clear boundaries from day one and ensure a smoother transition.
This could include rules like whether they’ll be allowed on the couch, or if crate training will be considered and setting up a consistent schedule for feeding and walks.
- Consistent house rules
Ensure everyone in the family understands the ground rules because this will make training so much easier.
Dogs need consistency to learn how to behave correctly, and if someone is going against the rules and feeding the dog scraps from the table or letting them on the couch when no one else is looking it could cause confusion and unwanted behaviour in the dog.
- Buy the right equipment
Proper preparation with the right equipment is very important when welcoming an adopted dog home. A comfortable bed offers security, while familiar food helps prevent digestive upset.
Other essential items like toys, safety measures, training tools, and appropriate walking equipment support the dog’s well-being and assist in establishing good habits from the start.
- Training
Training an adopted dog requires careful consideration of their specific needs, as rehoming can present different challenges. Expect an adjustment period and start training once they’ve settled, focusing on housetraining and teaching their name for puppies, and positive reinforcement with high value treats and praise, keeping sessions short and enjoyable for older dogs.
Whistle training with a reliable whistle like the Alpha is also recommended to maintain consistency and strengthen the bond between pet and owner, offering adopted dogs a neutral, stress-free way to learn. Most importantly, build trust, maintain consistency and seek professional advice for the best unique training approach.
For more information on how to prepare the home for an adopted dog, please see here:
https://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/stories/must-haves-bringing-home-puppy-rescue-dog
For more information and training tips from Ben visit ACME Kennels.