Adopting a rescue dog is a meaningful moment. It marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in a person’s life and the dog they are adopting.
With animal shelters across the nation brimming with canines of different breeds and cross-breeds waiting for a home, shelters encourage people to consider a rescue dog if they are contemplating getting a pet. It gives them a second chance in a new and loving home, one where they will feel safe and can start fresh.
If you are in the process of adopting a senior dog, here are a few simple steps to take to help you prepare your home for their arrival.
Have Supplies Ready
To help make your senior rescue dog feel comfortable and settle in, having supplies ready to use will be incredibly beneficial. These could be a bed, food, treats and any toys for them to play with it or find comfort in. It prevents you from having to run out last minute for supplies your canine will need.
When the time comes to take them on a walk, you will want to have a collar and lead on hand. As you look for a collar and lead, why not invest in a DoggySquad dog collar and lead set? There is a vast selection of dog collars and lead sets the brand has to choose from – each one could make the perfect ‘Welcome Home’ present for your new canine friend. As you try to find the right dog collar and lead set, take a look at all of the other supplies DoggySquad have available. You could place an order for all your dog supplies in one go through their site, helping you to save time when preparing for your senior dog’s arrival.
Stick With A Routine
Dogs love a routine. It could be the time they go to bed, the time they eat breakfast and dinner, and when they go out for a walk. As you prepare for the arrival of your senior dog, ensure that there is a routine in place to follow after you have brought them home. If you live with friends, a partner or family, ensure that everyone knows what the routine is.
Keeping this routine up will help your rescue dog to feel settled into its new home. It will help them feel more comfortable knowing what to expect and when. You might even choose to take them on the same route each day, following the same route. When it comes to taking your rescue dog on their walk, they will gradually begin to remember the route and start to lead the way on future walks.
Find A Vet
It is common for senior dogs to experience more health issues than younger dogs. Many health issues they experience will be age-related, and for some, it could impact the lifestyle they might have had before they went to a rescue centre. The rescue centre you adopted your dog from will inform you of any health issues your new furry family member has or is likely to develop.
Before you bring your rescue dog home, look for a good vet that is local to you. As soon as you are able to register your dog with the vets, it is essential to mark this as a priority task. The earlier this is done, it means you will have one less job to complete. If and when you need to take your rescue dog to the vet, you will know where to go, helping to reduce the time spent looking for a vet. Instead, you can get them the medical attention that they need as soon as possible.
Prepare Your Home
As mentioned, some senior dogs are more likely to have health issues. Some of these health issues could be mobility related. If you are adopting a rescue dog, consider if your home is accommodating for a senior dog with mobility issues. For example, if your home’s flooring is predominantly wooden, you might notice that your senior dog will struggle walking around each room.
If this is an issue, there are ways that you can tackle it. You could limit their access to that space by putting up gates or blocking the area off. Another option, and popular, is to put down plenty of rugs. These rugs can mean your senior dog can walk across the floor with greater ease. This can provide you with peace of mind that your dog will not slip on the hardwood floor and potentially sustain a painful injury. You might even choose to block off access to the stairs. Dogs, especially senior dogs, are at risk of falling up or down the stairs as they try to climb them.
Finding ways to safety-proof your home for your senior dog could help you to prevent any unfortunate accidents from occurring. This could help prevent your dog from sustaining an injury and allow you to avoid receiving a costly pet bill.
Be Patient
Ultimately, the best step to take when preparing to welcome a senior dog into your home is to be patient. Some senior dogs might have had unfortunate backgrounds and will understandably be overwhelmed with the process of moving to a new place with new people. As you prepare to welcome them, ensure that you and the others living with you are patient with your new arrival.
Allow them to adjust to their new home at their own pace. Offer encouragement, support and love as they gradually settle into their new home. Ensure they have a comfortable spot they can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed. Putting these measures in place and finding ways to care for them will help them in the process of settling down and feeling at home.
In Summary
Welcoming a senior rescue dog into your home can be a rewarding experience. Once they have settled and feel comfortable around you, that can be a heart-warming feeling. It shows that they have found what is hopefully their forever home.
