Adopting a dog from your local animal shelter is a wonderful way to add a new member to the family, and there are certainly hundreds of thousands of amazing dogs waiting for homes in shelters across the county. Shelter dogs can be great companions, but there is definitely a period of adjustment before they feel comfortable in your home, so consider the following tips to help make adjustment easier.
While your rescue dog might be a perfectly happy, healthy animal that has been well cared for by a foster parent or a quality shelter, often these dogs need a bit of help right from the start. A gentle grooming, a good teeth cleaning and a visit to your veterinarian can be good first steps to assess any problems. Remember that rescue dogs often are very shy or even scared, so being patient is important. While some rescue dogs are housebroken, others are not, so you might have to spend a few weeks or more helping them with the housebreaking process. Fortunately, it is generally easier to housebreak these older dogs than a puppy.
When you add a dog to the family, this is a big change for you, your spouse and the kids, but it's much more stressful for your new dog. They want a loving, happy home to be sure, but these unfamiliar surroundings can be a little scary and they just don't know you at all. So don't expect your new pal to instantly bond with you and your family. Some dogs do bond very quickly, but others need a chance to warm up to everyone and get to know everyone's personalities. Encourage everyone one in the home to be as gentle and quiet as possible in those first few days to ease the transition. Remember, even if they came from an amazing shelter, they still might have been the victim of abuse by a previous owner and this can make a dog timid and wary of new people.
One of the best ways to increase the bond between you and your new dog is through obedience training. This is an excellent way for a dog to learn what you expect from them, and it can eliminate many problem behaviors, such as running away, scratching, excessive barking, jumping and chewing. A well-trained dog is a happier dog because the owner is happier, too. Dogs love to please, and what would please an owner more than a terrific dog that obeys commands and displays no irksome behaviors?
In addition, the bond between the two of you will grow because you will be spending extra time together, learning the obedience skills. You will gain a better, deeper understanding of your new friend's temperament and needs. In turn, you will soon have a dog that can be taken just about anywhere safely. This is a process that can take several weeks to accomplish, so be wary of any dog training system that promises overnight success or claims that with one simple command your dog instantly will obey.
Because our schedules are so busy, it is often difficult to attend dog training classes so if you are searching for a solid dog training DVD, consider The Dog's Way, which is a comprehensive set of dog training DVDs that teaches all the basic obedience skills as well as helping you combat some problem behavior. Not only will you be able to teach your dog basic control commands such as sit, stay and go down, your dog will learn to walk on a loose leash, stay down for an extended period of time and much more. This dog training program can help keep your dog safe and help you deal with typical issues such as keeping dogs from chewing furnishings, darting out the front door or barking excessively. With a little time and patience, your dog will become a friend that you will enjoy for many years to come.
While your rescue dog might be a perfectly happy, healthy animal that has been well cared for by a foster parent or a quality shelter, often these dogs need a bit of help right from the start. A gentle grooming, a good teeth cleaning and a visit to your veterinarian can be good first steps to assess any problems. Remember that rescue dogs often are very shy or even scared, so being patient is important. While some rescue dogs are housebroken, others are not, so you might have to spend a few weeks or more helping them with the housebreaking process. Fortunately, it is generally easier to housebreak these older dogs than a puppy.
When you add a dog to the family, this is a big change for you, your spouse and the kids, but it's much more stressful for your new dog. They want a loving, happy home to be sure, but these unfamiliar surroundings can be a little scary and they just don't know you at all. So don't expect your new pal to instantly bond with you and your family. Some dogs do bond very quickly, but others need a chance to warm up to everyone and get to know everyone's personalities. Encourage everyone one in the home to be as gentle and quiet as possible in those first few days to ease the transition. Remember, even if they came from an amazing shelter, they still might have been the victim of abuse by a previous owner and this can make a dog timid and wary of new people.
One of the best ways to increase the bond between you and your new dog is through obedience training. This is an excellent way for a dog to learn what you expect from them, and it can eliminate many problem behaviors, such as running away, scratching, excessive barking, jumping and chewing. A well-trained dog is a happier dog because the owner is happier, too. Dogs love to please, and what would please an owner more than a terrific dog that obeys commands and displays no irksome behaviors?
In addition, the bond between the two of you will grow because you will be spending extra time together, learning the obedience skills. You will gain a better, deeper understanding of your new friend's temperament and needs. In turn, you will soon have a dog that can be taken just about anywhere safely. This is a process that can take several weeks to accomplish, so be wary of any dog training system that promises overnight success or claims that with one simple command your dog instantly will obey.
Because our schedules are so busy, it is often difficult to attend dog training classes so if you are searching for a solid dog training DVD, consider The Dog's Way, which is a comprehensive set of dog training DVDs that teaches all the basic obedience skills as well as helping you combat some problem behavior. Not only will you be able to teach your dog basic control commands such as sit, stay and go down, your dog will learn to walk on a loose leash, stay down for an extended period of time and much more. This dog training program can help keep your dog safe and help you deal with typical issues such as keeping dogs from chewing furnishings, darting out the front door or barking excessively. With a little time and patience, your dog will become a friend that you will enjoy for many years to come.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan loves watching dog shows. To find out ways how to train dogs, or to find dog training DVD online, please visit the TheDogsWay website today.
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