Finally, after long preparation and much negotiation, the day has arrived. The day when your new family member finally comes home.

Ready or not, here he comes…

Finally, after long preparation and much negotiation, the day has arrived. The day when your new family member finally comes home. This is a very exciting day for all involved.

If possible, you want to bring your new dog home early in the day. That way he has a chance to see the new surroundings and get adjusted while everyone is still fresh. There is nothing like bringing a hyper new dog to a house when you are drop-dead tired. This situation normally leads to disaster. When you are fresh, you will have the confidence to be calm for your dog.

Before going inside, take your dog for a little walk to relieve himself. This way he will run out of ammunition before he marks in your place. Not all dogs mark but many do the first time in a new home. With less in his system, there will be less to clean up later. Also, the walk will calm your dog and allow the two of you to get acquainted.

After your walk, you are ready to tour the outside of your residence. It doesn’t matter where you live, there is an outside to your residence. You will need to let your dog sniff, smell and inspect every corner so that she knows her territory. Yes, this takes time but it saves grief. In sniffing your dog will start to smell other people that live in the surrounding areas. Most dogs can tell a neighbour from a stranger. They will then inform you when a stranger gets too close.

Approach your front door. Stop. Wait for a moment or two to let the dog sniff the air. Now tighten your grip on the leash. When you open the door, you go in first. You always lead a dog thru doorways. Take the dog on a tour of the home on the leash. This is your home first, then his. After you complete your tour, you are ready to introduce your dog to the other human family members. Let him sniff their hands, then they should pet him. He should act friendly. If not, you need to see a trainer. If he acts friendly, you will still need to take him to training.

After introductions, you can let him off the leash in his prepared room. He will need a bowl of water. Food should be given only at mealtimes, but you should never restrict water. You can accidentally kill your dog by depriving him of water. It has been a long day, so he should be ready for some quiet time. Give him a chance to adjust to his surroundings.

If there are other dogs in the household, they can be introduced slowly the next day. For the first week, the new dog should not be left alone with the other dogs. It is normal for there to be some snarling as they decide who is dominant, but there should not be any bloodshed. If there is, call an expert.

Other pets should also be introduced later, if at all. Most small animals will be seen as food by your dog. If you want to keep them, keep the away from dogs. Cats are either food, playmates or ignored. It varies by the dog and cat. If they do not get along, just let them work it out. The cat will probably just avoid the dog.

It takes dogs between three days and two months to completely adjust to a new home. A basic training course is a must for every dog, and will smooth the transition into your home. If you have any issues, your trainer can help you work them out. Having an expert at hand as your dog settles into your life will help ensure that you and your new family member are happy with each other for a long time. Happily ever after is the story of dog.

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Author: National Missing Pets Register