New Dog To The Family
Adopting a dog is one of those rare experiences that breed a variety of emotions ranging from joy,
pride, excitement, and yes, anxiety. The act itself is a noble one but often there are little (and sometimes big) hurdles to jump over. One of those hurdles is properly introducing a new dog to the family.
Your family has been together a while and know each other well. A new dog has only met you, and still has to learn all about you, what he or she can get away with, and what is expected of them. At the same time, your family has to learn about your new furry family member, their likes, dislikes and which boundaries should be set.
It's good practice to have a discussion with all family members beforehand about the new dog so that everyone is on the same page. Some topics to discuss might be whether or not the dog is allowed on the furniture, where their sleeping quarters are, what area of the yard is their designated "potty" area, and probably most importantly, which specific commands will be given. There's nothing more confusing to a new dog than to enter a household where one family member allows something and another forbids it. Similarly, it is just as confusing to a dog if one family member uses the word "off" to stop a dog from jumping and another uses the word "down." Consistency and routine are two key ingredients that will help your new pooch understand what is expected of them, and will
alleviate the stress of being the "new pup in town."
Additionally, if there are children in the household, rules should be given and strictly enforced to protect both the child and the dog. While certain dogs might seem tolerant of everything, they do have their threshold. A child shouldn't
do things such as pull a dog's tail, or its ears, hair, etc. And, especially in the beginning, children shouldn't lay on the dog or hug the dog so tightly so that it cannot escape. Often, dogs can be uncomfortable with restraint which can easily result in even the most friendliest of dogs snapping in an effort to release the hold on them.
Lastly, if there are other pets in the home, the dog should be introduced slowly. If the dog is adopted from a rescue group, often the foster can give some insight on whether or not the dog is friendly with other pets. However, sometimes the disposition of an adopted dog is unknown. Some dogs are great with people but quite the opposite with animals. Prior to signing the adoption papers, a meet and greet should be arranged, preferably on neutral grounds to determine if the new dog will get along with the other animals residing in your home.
While you can't predict every disaster, you can cautiously gauge how the pets will react to each other. Even if you feel comfortable, and all pets seem to tolerate each other well, it's a good idea to be home with them to monitor their behavior for a few days after the adoption. It's important to see how they react to each other once the new dog is acclimated. You want to be sure to protect your resident pets, your family and of course, your new addition.
By Elizabeth Parker - Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine
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