Remember the magic rule of 3 for rescue animals
3 days to decompress
3 weeks to know your routine
3 months to become a full member of the family
When you get your new pet home, they may need to decompress. It will be a difficult experience for them, and they might just want to opt out of life for a day or two. If that’s what they want to do – that’s fine. Just let them do their own thing.
Restrict their freedom in the house; try and keep them in a smallish area until they are settled (for panic and housetraining purposes).
Depending on the background or the age of your pet, there may be a period where you should“lockdown” for 2 weeks, unless you need an emergency vet visit. This means no walks, no car trips, no going anywhere but your home and your garden. Use the golden 2 weeks to bond with your new animal. Treat them like a new-born baby, go nowhere but your own garden, have no or few visitors. Just spend time with them so they bond with you and learn to trust you.
Some pets will not require this time – it all depends on what has happened to them in life so far.
The change in environment will be new and scary, they will look to you to reassure them these new noises are ok. Until you’ve developed that bond, it will all just be too much for them.
Life outside the house
After the any lockdown period, take everything slowly, and assume that everything will be a new experience for your new pet. You may want to practice walking on the lead in the garden first so they can get used to the process and feel of the lead, give lots of treats and make it something to look forward to. They may not have any idea where they should walk when on lead so try to practice keeping them to heel on your chosen side, getting them to sit and showing them with cuddles and praise. It can be less stressful for both of you doing this in the safety and familiarity of your garden rather than on the road in a new environment with new sights and sounds.
If your dog is scared to go out of the front door, take everything at their own pace giving them time to smell and step out when they are ready. You can go out first so they can watch you and follow, give them lots of encouragement and treats as they step out.
On walks, always use double leads until they are walking confidently and safely. Before you attempt off lead (which may be months) take them to a secure field. Only when their recall is 100% should they be allowed off lead, and never near any busy roads.
When walking past something “new” (which could be everything) bring them in close to you, talk to them in a calm good girl/boy tone; they will feed off your confidence. If they walk past something without reacting – treat and praise. If your dog does react, use a firm grip so they can’t get away, get past the obstacle and keep walking. No praise but keep talking in the same calm tone.
If your dog is under 6 months old – you need to start socialising asap.
This does not mean allowing your dog to play with every dog it meets. It means socialising with people first, and then controlled dog introductions later.
Take the dog to Pets at Home – or other shops that allow dogs. Sit outside busy areas like cafés, train stations. You want your pup to learn quickly how to behave in a busy public place, and have manners when he or she meets people.
Once that is nailed, start controlled introductions to other dogs. When on walks – on lead – with the owners permission allow the dogs to meet and sniff each other. Do not allow the situation to become out of control, or frantic. As soon as the puppy shows any excitement, bring them back to you and walk on. Once your pup is able to politely meet and greet both people and dogs, but always choose to come back to you when called, only then you can move to off lead play with other dogs.