Mary Allen
Finally! A new dog is moving in! But how should you acclimate the dog? With our tips, the new tail wag will feel at home in no time!
The big day has finally come and your new dog is moving into your home! It doesn’t matter whether “the new one” is a puppy or already has some life experience – you should acclimate every dog so that it has a good start in the new home.
Here you can find out how you can acclimate the puppy or adult dog. And we also have tips on how you can get any existing dogs or other animals in your home used to the new arrival.
Get used to the dog: the basic equipment
Get (definitely before your new dog comes home) the first things for solid basic equipment. So you are well equipped for the beginning. A water and food bowl, a leash (perhaps also a dog harness) with a collar and a dog tag, a basket with a blanket if necessary, and a few toys, dog food, and treats are important. For a puppy, you get suitable food for puppies.
Extra tip: In addition to the legally required wearing of dog tags, there are many different, also fashionable dog tags as accessories. Look for an additional pretty brand and be sure to write down your address and/or telephone number on it. This information can often be engraved. This way finders can get in touch with you quickly if your new dog breaks loose from the leash and escapes. Alternatively or additionally, you can register him at the Tierregister Tasso e. V. register.
Set up his (sleeping) place for him
Decide where your dog can eat, sleep and retire from the day they move in. It is important to give him a solid place to sleep and also to provide him with a quiet place to eat and drink.
The basket should not be at the front door or in the hallway. Due to the hustle and bustle that reigns in these places, there is no relaxation for the dog there.
It’s best to put his sleeping basket next to your bed, that’s where your new family member will probably feel most comfortable. This closeness also serves to strengthen the bond. If you want to acclimate the dog, this is a good trick. You can place his bowls in the kitchen or in a quiet corner of the living room.
Show your four-legged friend his new home
Let your animal friend arrive in peace. First, go on a little discovery tour and show your new dog his new home, his sleeping place, and where his water bowl is. Your four-legged friend can and should explore everything without a leash and have the time to sniff around extensively. Give him the opportunity to discover everything and also to learn how to get from room to room. This serves as a first orientation, which can give him some security. After all the new noises and smells, give him a little rest.
Give yourself and your dog plenty of time
Bringing a new dog into your home is a significant change for your four-legged friend and for you too. Take the first few days very gently and relaxed. If it is possible for you, it is advisable to take the dog with you on a weekend and ideally add a few days of vacation. This way you can get the dog used to it and don’t have to leave it alone in an unfamiliar environment.
Spend a lot of time with your dog over the next few weeks so that you can get to know each other better and get used to each other. During this time you will slowly get an insight into the typical behavior of each other.
You should not overwhelm your four-legged friend with a lot of visitors and hustle and bustle at the beginning. First of all, see how you two (or you, the dog, and your family) are getting along. During this time, show him from time to time that he is also welcome to keep to himself and not keep him company all the time. This usually comes in handy for old dogs, but these moments are often a bit difficult for puppies.
Give the dog familiar food to get used to it
With the right and familiar food, you do everything right. After all, excitement and change can also upset the stomach of animals. It is best to ask what food your four-legged friend has been given so far and get the same kind. In this way, you ensure that your dog retains some habits in his life. Especially with puppies, it pays off if they don’t get new food in addition to all the many changes.
Nevertheless, it can happen that your animal companion suffers from loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea in the first few days. This is often due to the stress of change. It can help if you soak the food in a little water, to begin with so it doesn’t put as much strain on the stomach.
In addition, you can mix the probiotic powder with your dog’s food, which regulates the gastrointestinal flora and strengthens the immune system. If the loss of appetite or diarrhea persists, the vet should take a look at your new dog.
Extra tip: Feed your newcomer out of your hand, as this builds a closer bond between the dog and its owner and the dog develops trust more quickly.
Getting used to the dog: Take it with humor
Especially at the beginning everything is exciting and there is usually a little chaos – one or the other mishap is then completely normal. Do not be angry if your four-legged friend does not have everything under control and accidentally enters the apartment. In addition to joy and enthusiasm, an animal also brings a lot of excitement. stay calm With a little patience and a good dose of humor, the best way to deal with mishaps like this is: If you are relaxed, your four-legged friend will feel it too and will automatically get used to it better.
And don’t be afraid – a dog learns quickly. Give him lots of praise when business is going well outside. If he puddles inside, you remove the mishap without comment. Don’t punish him for this behavior! This applies to puppies as well as adult dogs.
Slowly introduce your dog to other family members
If you already own other dogs or animals, slowly get your new four-legged friend used to the animal roommates. If it is a dog, do not simply bring the new four-legged friend into the house in which the existing one is sitting. He could then defend his territory!
Instead, meet up with a helper and your new companion, and your old dog in neutral territory and go for a walk with them. It is best for the existing dog to go without a leash so that it does not fluff up unnecessarily. So you can observe the dogs and their behavior and they have the opportunity to sniff each other.
The move-in can then be arranged without any conflicts, in that the new dog is in the apartment/house and the old dog comes later. With other animals, you should carefully introduce them to each other and not leave them alone at first.
It is very important for dogs to know their caregivers and who is part of their pack. Therefore, show your furry friend right from the start who belongs to the family and that you are the leader of the pack.
You should also teach children from the start how to treat the new family member appropriately and respectfully and make them understand that the furry four-legged friend is not a toy.
Establish a daily routine
A fixed daily routine is an important orientation for your new four-legged friend. A daily routine gives dogs a lot of security. Think of a recurring pattern with enough exercise and activity as well as sufficient rest periods.
Above all, walks and meals should take place at fixed times as far as possible. When you go for a walk, leave your dog on a leash at first so that it can get used to the new environment and to you. You will feel when you can let your dog run free. However, it may take several weeks until then. Please don’t take any risks.
Extra tip: It can be helpful if you go for a walk with a dog owner friend and their animal at the beginning because a well-socialized fellow dog can give your furry friend additional security. In the best case, he looks at the positive behavior of the other dog.
Make rules
It is advisable that you establish rules from the start. It is very important for dogs to stick to a fixed order as it gives them security. Do not start by just wanting to let him get away with something at the beginning, because later it will be all the more difficult to break the habit of unwanted behavior from your four-legged friend.
Training is important for the dog – especially when dealing with other dogs, fellow human beings, and the rest of the environment. No dog is too small to start with a loving but consistent upbringing! This is best conveyed in a playful way with lots of fun for both parties.
Take your dog to the vet
After the initial acclimatization period, you should take your new animal companion to the vet. Prepare the first visit well to make this experience as positive as possible for your pet.
It is ideal if you initially do not have any treatment and only show your animal to the doctor’s office. A few days later, have the dog carefully examined by the vet. In this way, he may be able to recognize and treat existing diseases.
Get the dog used to it – extra tip
Love and care for your dog throughout his life. Show him how much you like having him with you and how nice it is to have a four-legged friend by your side. Your tail wag will thank you and return this love unreservedly.
And do not forget:
- Register your dog with the city administration.
- Take out dog owner liability insurance, because you are liable for all damage caused by your four-legged friend.
- Let the neighbors and the landlord know that there is an addition to the family.