Adopting a dog is definitely a good deed, but those who rescue an abandoned dog walk the extra mile, and such acts should be lauded. If you have decided to adopt a rescue dog or a dog abandoned by its owners, be prepared for the hardships. Bringing a puppy home and offering shelter to a dog previously owned by someone else are two different things! Dealing with an abandoned dog can be hard, as the creature may have been subjected to abuse, neglect and pain. Healing the pain and trauma is not a cakewalk in most cases. However, that does not mean you should give up the efforts either. When you plan and prepare well, making a rescue dog feel at ease will not be tedious.
Listed below are the tips that you can use to feel a rescued dog feel comfortable and develop trust in you:
Giving the animal time to get accustomed- You may have heartfelt love and deep affection for dogs but with a dog that was owned previously by others, going slow is the best method. Give the dog enough time to adjust to the new setup, and do not rush things. Once the dog feels at ease, he/she will show signs of trust and affection. During the first few days, do not try to get too cosy with the dog.
Evade noise and chaos- Any dog needs some time to get accustomed to the new place. So, when you bring home a rescued dog, ensure the animal is not exposed to a lot of noise and people around. It would be prudent not to let the kids play with the dog for the first few days. Remember that such dogs may be traumatized inside, and exposure to lots of noise and new people may just scare or make the animal aggressive.
Offering space- You must allot some space for a rescued dog at home. It can be a big balcony or backyard not frequented by people much. You may also build a separate room for the dog. This space should not be shared by any other pet you have.
Watching for wounds and pain- Some rescued dogs may have wounds in their body parts and suffer from pain. This could be inflicted by heartless people it came across before being rescued. Check out the dog carefully for such signs and ensure medical care is given. Let the pain and wounds heal before you can snuggle up to the dog and take it out for play. If the dog has a thick and long coat, you need to be especially careful as the coat may hide the wounds.
Warming up slowly- After the dog has spent a few days at your home, you may initiate warming up but ensure it is slow and gradual. First, do not shower the dog with food and toys. Each dog has a distinct temperament and liking for toys and treats. It depends on the breed, age and past of the creature.
Taking expert help- Some rescued dogs find it hard to get rid of the traumas inflicted on them in the past. To help such dogs live better, you may need expert assistance. There are veteran pet behavioural therapists who can help you in this regard. The therapist can help identify the root causes of the dog showing aggression or aloofness and offer a remedy.
Conclusion
Proper planning and adopting a slow and steady approach is the key to winning the trust of an abandoned dog. Dogs are not inherently complex-minded, and with proper care and handling, you can become reliable and lovable in their eyes.
