| If you are preparing for a new addition to your | | | | unsettling. Most dogs do not like drastic changes |
| family, it is important to set aside plenty of time | | | | as it makes them very nervous. Until the new |
| for this new dog. Whether this is your first or | | | | dog becomes comfortable with you, your family, |
| your tenth dog, there are things that you are | | | | and your home you will want to be prepared for |
| going to have to prepare for in order to make | | | | a lot of cleaning. |
| sure that the adoption process is a smooth one | | | | Make sure that you are taking the time to dog |
| and that the dog can transition easily. Rescue | | | | proof the home. Just as you would put things out |
| dogs, or dogs that come from no-kill shelters, are | | | | of reach from a baby so that it does not get |
| a great addition to any family or home. But, as | | | | hurt, you want to make sure that you are helping |
| with any new pet, you want to emotionally | | | | the dog to stay out of trouble. As you and the |
| prepare yourself for what you have in store for | | | | dog get to know one another you will be able to |
| you. | | | | tell what you can leave out around the house and |
| Many people find it easy to think of all of the | | | | what must be kept up out of reach at all times. |
| things that they have to do around the house in | | | | Also make sure that you and your family are |
| order to prepare for the new dog. Not many | | | | clear on what you will be training the dog on. |
| people think about getting mentally and | | | | Make a list of specific commands that you want |
| emotionally prepared for the arrival of the new | | | | the dog to learn and make sure that everyone is |
| dog. If you have children in the home it is | | | | on the same page with this. If you want to use |
| important that they understand the rules | | | | the word "off" when you want the dog off of |
| regarding the dog ahead of time. | | | | the bed or couch, you can't have everyone else |
| You do not want to wait until the child is literally | | | | saying "jump down" when you are telling the dog |
| dragging the dog by the tail before you instruct | | | | "off". Keep the commands simple and to the point. |
| on how that is a bad thing to do. The more your | | | | Read as much as you can, especially on rescue |
| children are prepared for his or her arrival, the | | | | dogs if these are one of the dogs that you will be |
| safer they will be. Especially since you really | | | | bringing into your home. |
| cannot know for sure what kind of environment | | | | The more you and your family are prepared for |
| the dog from the no-kill shelters was in before. | | | | this wonderful new pet friend, the easier the |
| You are going to have a lot of work ahead of | | | | entire process will be. Last but most important, |
| you. Even if you were told that the dog that you | | | | ask the vet or the agency you are getting the |
| are adopting is housebroken, there is a good | | | | dog from about feeding and proper nutrition. |
| chance that there are still going to be some | | | | Proper nutrition will keep the dog healthy and |
| accidents in the home. This is only natural as there | | | | happy. |
| is a slight possibility that his new home may be | | | | |