Tag: International Dog Day

International Dog Day: How to welcome an adopted dog to your home

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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. 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Top 10 hobbies both you and your dog can enjoy on International Dog Day

Expert shares tips to spice up day to day life with your furry friends

With summer almost over it’s time to make the most of the season and discover new fun and fulfilling ways to spend quality time with your canine friend. Regardless of how long you’ve had your pet, it’s never too late to try out new activities and reinvent playtime.

Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer shares her top ten hobbies you and your dog can take up together. 

1 Go on a picnic together 

Enjoy the sunshine whilst it’s here and set up a picnic somewhere that has enough space for classic activities such as fetch or hide and seek. That way, you can both learn to work as a team and enjoy each other’s company but be sure to not stay hidden too long! 

Find a nice spot in some shade and take a minute to unwind and just be with your dog. After playing it is important to be aware of the temperature and make sure you’re not enjoying it too much and your dog doesn’t overheat.

Be sure to pack your picnic basket with plenty of water alongside a bowl for your furry friend.

2) Treat yourself and your pup to some pamper time  

Give your dog the grooming and attention they need, not only will it help you to unwind from a hard day’s work but it is also a great way to keep our furry friends cool and safe from overheating.

Make time to pamper your dog with a massage or grooming and play gentle music to help them relax. Downtime is all important in the process of bonding.

3) Walk around a local forest or heritage site 

Regular walks are important for keeping your dog fit and healthy alongside being a great way to build a bond. Why not switch up your regular routes and take your furry friend out on an adventure!

Forests can be great places to walk your dog in. This way you can enjoy the beauty of nature and find some interesting new scents for your dog to investigate. Better yet, take them out to see one of the many heritage sites across the country.

Appreciating history is always more fun with your favourite canines. Be sure to check for any nasty ticks after a long walk.

When walking in the forest, visiting a heritage site or just switching up your regular routes it is important to remember to clean up any mess made and be aware of your new surroundings if letting your dog off the lead.

4) Travel together

This can be a bit challenging, but letting your dog join you adds a fun twist to the out-of-town holiday you’ve been planning. Just make sure you prepare everything you need for travelling. Always check with your vet to ensure your dog is fit to join the trip. 

5) Agility with your dog at home

For agility, your dog needs to be a mature adult of over 18 months in order to keep their joints safe and growing in strength. 

You can set up an agility course at home in your garden or house using plant pots to balance canes on, odd boxes and brooms also make a great jump and weave obstacles too.

Lay balance planks on the ground so you can guide your dog to walk along them but also walk between. This encourages supple movement and equal body balance and strength of both their left and right sides.

6) Take regular Netflix naps  

Unlike humans, dogs don’t talk during the good parts. It’s been proven that sleeping next to your furry companion is beneficial for you both, it can lower depression and anxiety, increases oxytocin (the love chemical), and can help you to relax. 

Looking for a new series to binge? Set aside an evening where you and your pup get tucked up in bed and watch a show. 

7) Venture to dog friendly venues

Dog friendly pubs, cafes and coffee shops are sweeping the nation and can be a great way to unwind. Start by going at quieter times to ease your dog into the new environment and give them time to adjust.

There’s even an app called ‘Doggie Pubs’ for people wanting to bring their pooch to drinks with friends. So why not spend a chill afternoon in a café journaling or doing life admin with your favourite furry companion.

Know that not all dogs will enjoy being in busy places and may feel more comfortable with a coffee to go and a walk along the beach.   

8) Do a workout together

Most people go on runs or long walks with their dogs but running and walking for extended periods of time on concrete can be bad for your pets’ joints. Instead, why not look into swimming with your dog, playing frisbee, dancing, or hill walking. Know your dog and its capabilities and get creative with low impact exercises!

9) Set up a play date

Dogs are naturally social animals, so why not invite your friends or relatives with dogs over to your house or go on a trip to the park. Doggie dates are great opportunities for your dog to dust off their social skills and mingle with other dogs.

It is important to make sure that your dog feels comfortable with other dogs first and when finding the perfect playdate for your pup, it is often better if they are roughly the same age and size so they can play gently and fair.

As an added bonus, you get to have a cup of tea and a natter too, of course while keeping an eye on your pups to ensure play does not get out of hand. 

10) Take your dog to work with you

Are your company head hunting for four legged employees? Well even if they aren’t, scientific studies have concluded that the presence of pets in the workplace substantially reduces a person’s stress levels and anxiety.

If your company has pet friendly policies, take advantage of bringing your furry companion to the office to make everyone’s Monday better. Bella & Duke recently designed the UK’s most pet friendly office, so if you’d like expert tips on how to create a pet friendly workplace, head on over to the website. 

Caroline Spencer, Natural Canine Behaviourist at Bella & Duke, added: “When life gets busy, it is often easy for time with your pet to become about the essentials, reducing your relationship to a check box chore.

“The main reason most people get a dog is to have a companion, and like any friendship, quality time together is needed to deepen your bond and maintain your relationship.

“There are so many creative ways you can incorporate your dog into your life and there’s no better time than summer to take up a new hobby or adventure you can enjoy together”.