The First Dog: How To Improve Relationships In Record Time

A dog’s first days in a new home are the most special. The new family member may be feeling a little confused about where he is and what to expect from you. Establishing a clear family structure with your new little friend will be critical to making the transition smooth and effective.

In this article, we share some tips with you to make your dog’s first days in his new home less confrontational as possible, so that he can improve in record time.

Tips to follow during the first 30 days

Determine where your dog will spend most of the time. Due to the large amount of stress it will be subjected to due to the change of environment, the animal could easily forget any rules it has been taught about trespassing.

The kitchen is a space that usually works perfectly during the first few days. However, if you notice that the dog approaches the sofa and climbs on it, teach him that this is not his place.

If you intend to employ the dog cage training method , make sure you have one.

The choice of the area where the dog will spend most of his time during the first few months is of extreme importance. Be sure to hide any electrical cables that may be around you.

In addition, in the area designated for the new family member, you will need to place all household chemicals on the top shelves. It is also convenient to get rid of plants, carpets and other fragile objects, and if necessary, get a door lock for children.

The dog’s training will have to start from the first moment it is introduced into its new home. Take some time to make a list of words that you will use to give him orders. All other family members or people who will come into direct contact with the animal must use the same words. In this way, you will help lessen his confusion and facilitate his command acquisition process.

Don’t forget to put an identification tag with your phone number around your dog’s neck. This way you will make sure that, in case it escapes, it can be found and returned.

The first day of the new dog in the house

If you have boys or girls, make sure they know  how to approach the dog without bothering him.

Once you have adopted a dog, ask when and what it has been fed so far. Stick to these habits at least for the first few days to avoid stomach upset.

If you want to change the brand of the feed, distribute it within a week. Add one ration of the new food for every three of the old one.

On the way home, the dog must travel safely, preferably in a pet carrier. For some animals, the car journey is extremely stressful, so you need to make sure you transport it in the safest way.

Once there, immediately take him to the area designated for his needs  and spend a lot of time with him, so that he can get used to that area and encourage him to do his business.

Start on day one with a specific time for nutrition, bathroom routines, and games / physical activity. It is important to understand that, from his first day, the new dog will need both some time to be with the family, as well as short periods of adjustment on his own.

Pay attention and see how he is adapting slowly, and when you see that he is performing excellently, reward him by giving him a toy to chew on or letting him rest quietly.

Especially in the first few days, keep calm and quiet around your dog. Orders such as “come here” or “to bed” may not cause the desired reaction, so arm yourself with great patience right away.

After the first few weeks, you will already be able to establish the personality of your little friend. If he wasn’t particularly comfortable at first, once he gets to know you, everything will be easier for him too.

Be patient and understanding, and stick to mealtimes, walks, and activities.

Take him to the vet for periodic checks, make sure he respects the schedule of necessary vaccines and, if necessary, contact a trainer to improve some aspect of his character. Finally, give him all the attention he needs and pamper him whenever you can.