Bringing Home A Rescue Puppy
Bringing home a rescue puppy is one of the most exciting moments in a pet parent’s life. It’s also a big responsibility, as it’s the beginning of a years-long relationship.
A rescue dog is one that has been placed in a new home after being abandoned by its previous owner. It could also be a homeless animal that was rescued from the street or a dog that was removed from a home after suffering from abuse or neglect.
Rescue animals typically come from animal shelters or a humane society. These groups work to rehome rescue dogs so they can avoid euthanasia. They do not come from commercial breeders or pet stores.
Consider Your Home
Before adopting a rescue pup, ask yourself if your home is the best environment for a dog. Most dogs adapt well to any living situation, but some dogs are better suited to specific home environments over others.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Rescue Puppy
If you’ve never had a puppy, you may not realize how many dangers are lurking in your home. Your puppy will be inquisitive and much more active than an older dog, so you need to take every precaution to keep them safe from harmful objects and substances.
Please consider insuring your rescue pet so they can get the care they need if they do have an accident or become ill.
Here’s what you should do in the meantime.
1. Cover Your Trashcans
Puppies are curious, and nothing will make them more curious than an interesting smell. On any given day, your trashcan may have an abundance of smells that your puppy might want to get into.
You should get a cover for your trash can if you don’t already have one. If you can, keep your trashcan separate from your puppy or tuck it away in a cabinet or closet. This won’t just prevent your puppy from making a stinky mess. It will also ensure they don’t get into anything dangerous in the trash as well.
2. Cover Wall Sockets, Remove Cords and Electronics
Electrical cords, cell phone chargers, remote controls, and other electronic devices are all potential hazards to puppies. Puppies like to chew, and when they chew on electronics, they risk receiving an electric shock. Even the batteries in your TV remote can be dangerous, as they contain corrosive acid.
Wherever you keep your puppy, cover wall sockets to prevent them from accessing them. Instruct your family to keep all their electronics out of the puppy area. Eventually, your puppy may grow out of the chewing phase. But for now, it’s better not to risk it.
3. Secure Medications and Chemicals
Puppies can also chew on prescription drug containers and the containers of cleaning chemicals, potentially exposing them to poisonous substances. Always lock these materials away and keep them separate from your puppy.
If you need to clean up after your puppy, remember to put the cleaning supplies away when you’re finished. You can also use natural cleaners that are less hazardous to animals to be safe.
4. Remove Any Poisonous Houseplants
Many common houseplants, including the jade plants, lilies, and spider plants, are poisonous to animals. These plants typically cause vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, or other physical symptoms, but some of them can even be deadly.
The APSCA has an exhaustive list of poisonous houseplants to keep away from your puppy.
5. Give Your Puppy Their Own Space
Eventually, you’ll be able to let your dog run free throughout most of your home. But when you first bring your puppy home, they should have their own space. This area should be comfortable and well-stocked with food and water. Your puppy should be able to roam their area during the day, and you should bring them outside at regular intervals for potty training and playtime.
This should be a stress-free area. Ideally, it will be set apart from the highly trafficked areas of your home. Dedicating an entire room to your puppy is usually a good strategy, if possible. Once they start to see the area as theirs, they’ll be more comfortable making the transition from the shelter to your house.