December 12, 2018

Congratulations! You’ve made the fantastic decision to adopt a new furry family member and we are so excited for you.

Whether you’re bringing your pooch home from Battersea Dog’s Home or any of the other wonderful rehoming centres across the UK, it’s sure to be a magical time. We love seeing dogs starting new lives on ITV’s ‘For The Love Of Dogs’ with families who are ready to love and care for them. If you’re going to be following in their paw-prints, it’s important to make sure you are fully prepared. Here are the Lintbells tips to help you prepare your home (and yourself!) for your new arrival:

Pet-proofing: The Adopted Dog Edition

Make a base

Ensure there is a warm and cosy base for your pooch and somewhere comfortable and dog-friendly which is partially hidden in case they’d like to escape the havoc of a new home for a little me-time.
Consider making this new base in a room with an easily cleaned floor, such as the kitchen or utility room. Remember, even the most perfectly house-trained pooch can struggle in a totally new situation.

Organise your own schedule

Keep yourself as free as you can in the first few weeks of having your new pooch at home. If possible, take some time off work so you and your new friend can have maximum bonding time.
Avoid an influx of visitors or any large gatherings at home. This will all come in time, so there’s no need to risk overwhelming your dog before he or she is ready.

Supplies at the ready

Have a chat with the people who are currently looking after your pooch (in the shelter or kennels) and find out if your newcomer has any favourite foods, treats, or toys. If so, make sure you are well stocked-up, so your new friend can feel comforted by recognisable items, tastes, and smells.
Make sure you keep all non-doggy-friendly supplies out of their reach and remove any potential hazards such as lighting cables and glass ornaments.
If you’re rehoming a puppy, consider adding YUM Puppy into their diet. This delicious and nutritious supplement is uniquely developed to support growing puppies and can give your new pup just the boost they need whilst settling into their new home.

Women hugging puppy

Make a vocabulary list

If your pet has had a family previously, it’s likely that they will already have formed responses to certain stimuli. You won’t yet know whether human commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘walkies’ have positive or negative connotations. Play close attention to your new pet’s reactions when you begin to communicate and take note of the commands they respond well to so your whole family can use them.
If you’re still noticing confidence issues a few weeks after they move in, take a look at our blog on how to help a dog with anxiety.

Plan your routine and stick to it

However much time you spend in the shelter or kennels getting to know your new friend, moving into your home is always a huge step.
Pre-plan meal times, toilet breaks, and exercise/playtime. This way, your dog will feel more comfortable and confident in their new home and will soon see you as a familiar, reassuring presence.

Be prepared to adapt if you’re going to adopt!

It will take time for your adopted pooch to feel comfortable in their new home. Be ready for ‘oops’ moments like changes in behaviour or inconvenient toilet breaks.
It’s important to remain calm and collected regardless of your new friend’s reaction to their home. Dogs are empathetic creatures and will notice if you are showing signs of stress or unease. This is all part of a process which will lead to a wonderful friendship so enjoy it – it will be worth it in the end!

We are sending all our best wishes to Hope who we met this week on ITV’s ‘For The Love Of Dogs’. We can’t think of many furry friends more deserved of a new home! Keep our tips in mind when you bring your adopted pooch home, and don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the beginning of this exciting journey together.

Watch ITV’s For the Love of Dogs every Wednesday on ITV at 8pm.