Paw Pals Pet Sitting

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Top 5 Tips When Adopting a Shelter Dog

October 19, 2018 by Mary Telesz

a woman who is holding her brand new shelter dog that she just decided to adopt and bring homeIf you just brought home a shelter dog for the first time, you’re probably wondering how you can make the transitional period go as smoothly as possible for both you and your new dog. One of the best things you can do for your dog is to be patient. Some dogs may adjust fairly quickly to the new situation, while others may take months before they finally relax and feel comfortable in your home. Understand that while you are training your dog, temporary backslides may happen. This is when it’s most important that you are patient, and give the shelter dog all the time it needs to adjust and learn.

It’s a very real possibility that the dog you have adopted may have been left by someone they love or they were lost and unable to find their way home. Combining this with their time spent in the shelter could leave the dog with some emotional trauma. This could mean that it takes a while for them to feel safe and secure in your home and for them to warm up to you. Don’t try to rush them or push the dog too quickly, you must earn the trust of your new shelter dog. Your dog may also be coming from a home where they didn’t feel comfortable or safe, in which case you’re really going to have to give them even more time to adapt. Talk to the shelter to get as much information on the dog’s past as possible so that you can try to make this transitional time comfortable for them in any way you can.

1. Let Them Get Comfortable

When you first bring your shelter dog home, they’re going to be very overwhelmed by their new surroundings. Don’t be alarmed if you notice that they are anxious or have a lack of appetite. They might even hide under furniture or stay in one particular room for a few days. Don’t try to rush them in their adjustment, but be sure to show them that you’re there for them.

2. Create a Routine

The best way to help integrate your new dog into your home and life is to give them a routine. This can do a lot to help lessen the dog’s anxiety, as they will adjust quicker when they know what to expect from each day. This should include things like feeding them in the same place and at the same time every day. Walking them on a schedule will also help so they know when to expect they can go to the bathroom. Taking the same route during these walks can be very helpful in allowing your dog to get oriented with the area and feel like they know where they are. It’s also a good idea to use the same words or phrasing when referring to it being time to walk or eat. This is so your dog can recognize what you’re telling them.

3. Set Aside Bonding Time

a man petting his shelter dog that he adopted two years ago and is now taking her on walks in the parkPlaying outside with your dog and taking them on walks are great ways to bond, but so is sitting with them and petting them gently. Touch is an extremely powerful form of communication, and taking the time to pet them gently can do a lot to show your dog that they are safe and loved. Talking to them in a soothing voice can help them get used to your voice and allow them to relax a little bit more. Shelter dogs might be more hesitant to make a connection with you because they’re scared you’re going to leave, so be patient with them if bonding takes a long time.

4. Go to the Vet

Even if your dog has all the necessary vaccinations and you don’t suspect them to be ill, it’s still a good idea to take them to the vet for a checkup. This can help give you more insight into their personality and past history. How do they react at the vet’s office? What does the vet notice about their health? Be sure to ask lots of questions so you can get a better idea of how best to take care of your new family member.

5. Introduce New Things Slowly

While you’re super excited to show off your new shelter dog to everybody, your dog is probably already going to be extremely overwhelmed. A good general rule of thumb is to introduce your dog to no more than one or two new people a day. This can also help to reduce some of their confusion about who’s going to be a permanent member in their life. You should also wait a few weeks before taking your dog to a dog park or other busy environment. Not only do you want to ease your dog into situations like those, but you also want to make sure that you’ve already established a strong bond with your dog so they can be comforted by your presence in these new places.

Filed Under: Pet Adoption

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
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Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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