So, you’ve made the leap and decided to adopt a rescue pet. Yay! This is an exciting time and, no doubt, you want everything to go ‘pawfectly’! Certainly, it pays to remember it can take a little time for your new fur pal to adjust to his or her new surroundings.

However, there are a few steps you can take to assist your barking buddy or meowing mate to settle in. Dog behaviourist and trainer Lara Shannon shares some essential tips to help make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

“Acquiring a new pet is a huge commitment and responsibility but it can also be one of the most enriching relationships you will ever experience,” says Lara.

“If you’re planning to adopt a rescue pet, it’s essential to get to know each other before deciding to bring them home. It’s important to ensure they are the right fit for your lifestyle and that they have the personality traits you’re looking for.

“Establishing a bond before going ahead with the adoption is the first step to a successful long-term adoption match. You can do this by spending time with them while they’re still in care. You can also speak to their foster carer or rescue group to get a better understanding of their personality.

“Once you’ve put in the work to find your perfect match, it’s time to ensure life at home is as enjoyable as possible for you and your rescue pet.”

Settling a rescue pet into your home: 7 top tips

Here are some top tips from Lara to help make the transition for your new family member into your home as smooth and stress-free as possible.

1. Build up their independence

Try not to leave your new pet alone for too long for the first few weeks to avoid separation anxiety as they adapt and settle into their new environment. The best way to get them used to being alone is to start with very small increments. Go into another room and leave them alone for just a few minutes. Next, leave through the front door and slowly increase the amount of time you’re away. Keep departures and arrivals relaxed and praise them when being calm – going too far too fast can make their anxiety worse.

2. Be patient

Patience is an important quality to have when welcoming a rescue pet or adopted animal into your home. Try not to lose your temper, raise your voice or punish your pet for bad behaviour. Doing this can exacerbate the problem even more or cause fear and anxiety, which could lead to further issues. Understandably, your rescue pet will need time to adjust to its new environment and family. In this case, patience along with positive reinforcement is the best approach.

3. Training

It is possible that your new pet has already received basic training, which is often one of the benefits of rehoming a rescue pet. Test their skills with common verbal cues and hand signals to see if or what they respond to. Find out what motivates them most and use it as their reward, such as food, a toy or a squeaky ball.

Additionally, it’s important to have a regular training schedule to promote good behaviour, as well as provide bonding and enrichment for your pet. Always be clear, consistent and concise with your commands to avoid confusing your new fur pal. Even if you have adopted an adult animal, old dogs can still learn new tricks. Furthermore, there are plenty of private and group training options for older pets, not just puppy school.

4. Keep on lead

Given your rescue pet may not know their surroundings, be anxious or may not have a good recall, always keep them on the lead when outside. Even if they are good at coming when called at home under high distraction, in strange environments they may panic and run off.

Always train and proof the recall at home, then start on lead in a fenced area outside the home and with minimal distractions. As time goes on you can slowly increase the distance and distractions. Once your dog returns every time on lead, you can move to the next step and add more distraction.

5. Pet-proof your house

Remove dangerous items such as loose cables, breakables and hazardous plants that are toxic to pets. Always store household cleaners and medication out of reach. Make sure all boundary fencing is secure in outdoor areas and there are no holes or weak spots along your fence line for your pet to escape through. Find out more about how to kitten-proof or puppy-proof your home.

6. Responsibilities

Clearly define the household responsibilities to establish who will be primarily responsible for training, feeding and exercise. Adopting a rescue pet is a fantastic way to teach children responsibility, empathy and compassion.

7. Establish boundaries

Provide clarity on where your pet is and is not allowed. If bedrooms and bathrooms are a no-go zone then close the doors. Is the dog only allowed in a certain area of the house? If so, use a baby gate to fence off the area. It’s also essential to have a designated area (dog crate or laundry, for example) for your pet to sleep in. It should be set up from day one to provide your pet with their very own safe space.

 

NOTE: March is PETstock Assist’s National Pet Adoption Month. It aims to help break the cycle of pet homelessness in Australia and to educate more people on the benefits of bringing home a rescue pet. Over the last six years, PETstock Assist has helped rehome more than 12,000 animals. It continues to encourage wannabe pet owners to adopt a new way of thinking when it comes to finding the best pet for them.

 

Have you adopted a rescue pet? We’d love to hear your story.