right? Well, the arrival of a new dog or cat is a lot of fun, but it can also be an anxious time for everyone; current pets may feel jealous, kids might be a such a rush to hold and pet the new dog, and the incoming animal may easily be very overwhelmed by it all. This is all completely understandable, but I don't want you to feel helpless or lost! Here are a few tips and some perspective from our years of introducing new animals which I think you'll find helpful.
You might be thinking "what could go wrong? We've done this plenty of times before." That may be - and some animals adapt to different surroundings like a duck takes to water, however, if you have just rescued a creature who is nervous, fearful, and unsure of themselves, throwing them into your household will most likely increase the potential for difficult situations and the potential for aggressive behavior. Even if you only have one or two animals, it's always helpful for a new pet to learn from the beginning where they will stay, about crate use, and it's a great tool for setting boundaries right off the bat. The chart above contains valuable information about what to expect, and a timeline of gradual steps to follow; the short list below covers a few of the most common questions I'm asked about our intro procedure.
• DO use a crate immediately, as this establishes a safe and secure environment for the new pet. For the next few weeks to several months (and frequently after that as well to reinforce the idea of a crate being a good thing), this will be their comfort zone. Return them to the crate after each trip outside, a walk or yard time, always with a simple command such as "House" or "Place", and a little treat. This is not mean!! Some people are very unnerved by the concept of crating a rescued dog, thinking it's mean to put them back into such a place, however this space will become their refuge and happy area to be calm, to nap, etc.
• DO NOT allow the animal to roam the house or yard for at least a week or more. You can leash walk until then, allow them free time in the yard, and go around the home on a leash, but always with the goal of returning back to their cave or den, the crate.
• DO come and go in and out of their room or space often, letting them see you and your movements, but without showering them with constant cuddling or treats every time they see you. You want them to feel confident being alone; to know you are there, but without hovering over or constantly paying attention to them.
• DO NOT have kids (or strangers) in and out of the new resident's space constantly, and never use them for show & tell by hauling out a dog or kitten each time you have company. This will seriously stress out any creature and lead to anxiety and fear reactions to such situations.
Allowing everyone to be comfortable and at ease is the goal - it's not about adopting in the morning and having everyone lying in the living room that night. Separating the new family member helps reduce jealousy and fear-based behaviors, and the space you'll be putting between your animals allows the introduction be a gradual, fun, and stress-free journey.
Here's a link to a post about our process of recently bringing a new foster dog into our pack; Why We Introduce a New Pet into our Home Slowly (Foster Dog Jayla)
Wishing you lots of luck and happiness with your new family member. Thank you for adopting and saving a life! 🙂❤️🐾🐾
Thanks for stopping by my blog. 😀
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