Are you thinking of adopting a dog, or have you decided and are about to welcome a new four-legged friend into your family? In both cases, you cannot approach the adoption of a dog without first asking yourself several questions and without meticulously preparing for its arrival. Don’t forget that your doggie will share your life for a good ten years – or even more for the lucky ones!
Before adopting: tips and warnings
The adoption of an animal, and a fortiori that of a dog, is never a trivial act. It changes a lot of things in the life of the masters, who have to adapt and make concessions on their way of life. You have to choose the right moment, and the right situation before starting, and it is particularly important to ask yourself whether or not you are ready to welcome a dog into your home.
Ask the right questions
These questions may seem trivial, but they are still a good way to assess your current ability to take care of an animal, and even more so a dog, which still requires some maintenance.
What about your family?
How is your family made up? Do you have children? Are you single? Some dogs do not like the youngest and the agreement could turn sour. Also, do you have other animals? Again, be careful! It is quite common for conflicts to arise if the dog that was there before struggles to support its congeners. For cats, the situation is similar, especially since our tomcats are territorial animals that sometimes have trouble accepting newcomers.
House or apartment?
Contrary to what one might think, the apartment is not grounds for disqualification for having a dog. However, we must not hide our faces either: some breeds are not made to live in an apartment. In addition, it is still necessary to count a minimum surface so that the dog can be happy, even in the case of a small animal. Adopting a dog when you live in a studio is not recommended at all.
The house is an undeniable plus, but it does not protect you from inconvenience either and does not necessarily rhyme with the happiness of your future dog. A house with a garden is not an excuse to leave your doggie for hours, even if the presence of an outdoor space remains ideal.
Organizing your time
A dog requires time and investment. Just at the beginning, you will have to educate him and teach him the basic commands. Afterward, you will have to walk it, play with it, etc. If you work all day and only have two hours each day to devote to your future animal, it is better not to adopt, unless someone can come and take care of your pooch in your absence.
Your budget
Adopting a dog has a price, as well as “hidden” costs. If you buy an animal from a breeder, you will already have to advance a large sum of money. The cost of adoption in an association or shelter is much lower, but in any case, other expenses await you afterward. Because a dog is expensive. While smaller breeds eat less kibble and therefore lower the feed score, others, like the Great Dane, eat a lot each month.
Especially since the purchase of cheap and low-end croquettes in the supermarket is strongly discouraged! Without breaking the bank either, prefer croquettes that are a little more expensive, but of good quality. Your dog’s health deserves a few small sacrifices. Speaking of health, don’t forget the cost of veterinary visits, vaccinations, and possible medical costs in the event of illness. Add to that toys and accessories, and sessions with the groomer for certain breeds, and you will quickly understand that a dog requires a fairly large monthly budget.
Vacations and travels
What will you do with your dog when you have to travel? Not all hotels and guesthouses accept pets. How will you do on long plane trips? It is possible to travel by plane with your dog in some companies, but not all. The SNCF also authorizes travel with your dog, but subjects these trips to several conditions (payment of a special ticket, wearing of a muzzle, obligation to leave the wagon if your animal upsets other travelers). Every year, thousands of dogs are abandoned before the holidays by unscrupulous masters. If you have to leave without your dog, can you find a solution with a relative or a pet-sitting company?
Think about the future
Even if it is sometimes difficult to plan ahead, this step is important. Don’t forget that your dog will stay with you for many years. You must therefore be certain that you can continue to take care of him, regardless of the events of your life. What will you do with your pet if you move? Will you still be able to take care of him if you have a child later? What will happen in case of separation? Even if these questions seem distant to you, they are essential.
Which breed to choose?
Not all breeds are for everyone, unfortunately. And even if you really want to welcome a breed that caught your eye, your current situation may not allow it. Adopting a Saarloos wolfdog when working more than eight hours a day away from home is, for example, a very bad idea. Before you decide, carefully study the dog breeds you like to see if your lifestyle matches. A single watchword: it is not the dog that must adapt, but the reverse.
Where to adopt your dog?
If you can answer all of these questions with certainty, then you are ready to adopt a pooch! But where? Because several options are available to you. If some are perfectly valid, like our partner Pet Adoption, others are absolutely to be avoided.
In refuge or in association
Adopting the SPA, or any other association in your region or department is an excellent idea. Shelter dogs deserve just as much as any other to find a family. Association volunteers generally know the animals very well and know how to select the families they need. The dogs are vaccinated and sterilized, and adoption costs much less than from a breeder. Do you want to adopt a large dog at the SPA? It’s possible. Would you like to adopt a small dog at the SPA? Also possible.
You will find a lot of animals just waiting for a home to be happy. And contrary to what one might think, purebred dogs are also found in shelters. Some associations, often called “Second Chance”, even specialize in rescuing dogs of a specific breed. So don’t hesitate to take a look and find out. There are also associations specializing in the adoption of abused dogs from abroad or overseas territories. Why not adopt a Creole dog, for example?
You can also adopt reformed or retired dogs from the gendarmerie or the police! It’s a good way to offer a retreat to dogs who have already received an excellent education!
From a breeder
If you want a specific breed, you can turn to the farms. But beware, not just any either. You must choose it carefully to be sure to welcome a well-balanced animal into your home. Here are some tips for recognizing a serious breeder:
- Administrative level, it must be declared. Do not encourage wild litter made by individuals to earn money.
- If possible, try to choose a kennel near you to limit travel times on the day you pick up your doggie.
- Check that he does not breed several breeds of dog: in general, serious breeders focus on one breed, or even two maximum. The greater the number of breeds, the greater the risk that the breeder sees profit above all else.
- As a corollary to the previous point, the breeder must know the breed he is breeding perfectly. If he only mentions the price of the animal with you, run away. He must be able to give you all the advice you need to welcome a dog of this breed with peace of mind.
- Good breeders will also never hesitate to refuse to sell a dog to a person if they feel that the profile does not match that of the breed. They will ask you many questions about your lifestyle to be sure that you will be able to take care of your future dog. Similarly, no serious breeder will give you an animal before the legal deadline, that is to say, eight weeks.
- It is essential to visit the farms before buying! You have to study the environment of animals. They must be sheltered in buildings that are well heated in winter, well ventilated in summer, with a nursery. Ideally, they live inside the breeder’s house, but they can also move into a special building, as long as they are properly socialized each day. Also, check the state of cleanliness of the places where the animals evolve.
- Look at the state of the animals, and of the mother in particular. Ask how many litters occur per year. If the mother has more than one litter per year, change the breeder immediately. Also, ask how many litters has the female had in her lifetime? This is not a good sign if the number is more than five.
- What about breeding males? Do they belong to the breeder? It is not uncommon to call on males from other farms. In this case, ask for as much information as possible about the animal. You must have access to his identification papers.
- How does the breeder select his animals? It is preferable to choose breeding where behavioral criteria take precedence over physical beauty criteria.
- Dogs must be identified with the French Book of Origins! The breeder must also be able to provide you with a detailed pedigree of your dog.
- Similarly, you must be in possession of a certificate of transfer, a kind of contract attesting to the sale. The breeder will also give you a certificate of good veterinary health, and the dog’s passport with the number of its identification chip.
Where not to adopt your dog?
Conversely, there are places where you should never buy or adopt your dog. This can be tempting: sometimes the price, or even the lack of it, is tempting, but remember that an animal is still a living being and that it should not be used simply as a means of profit by unscrupulous people.
In pet stores
Buying a dog from a pet store is always discouraged, for several reasons. First of all, the conditions in which the dogs live are very far from optimal. Very often separated from their mother too early, they have not received all the necessary canine codes. As an adult, this is bound to cause you big problems, as it produces unbalanced, fearful, or aggressive dogs.
Another negative point of this weaning is carried out much too early: the puppies are often sick. Or it will become one fairly quickly after its adoption. This will inevitably lead to additional costs in the event of serious illness. For some animals, it will sometimes even be necessary to go as far as euthanasia to shorten their suffering.
Another significant problem: puppies generally lack human contact, which also affects their socialization. This defect is quite challenging to repair, and you will need to call in a canine behavior specialist to try to correct it.
Pet store sellers, unlike serious breeders, do not have the necessary knowledge of all dog breeds and will not be able to give you all the advice you need to welcome your hairball with confidence. They are rarely trained in animal welfare.
Pay attention to the origin of the animals! Some come straight from Eastern Europe, from puppy mills where breeding mothers are exploited in unspeakable conditions. In addition, the dubious origin of the animals does not guarantee you to have a “purebred” dog, despite the claims of the pet store. If you want a dog of a specific breed, take the time to find a serious breeder instead. And contrary to what one might think, the purchase prices in pet stores are not necessarily more attractive.
From undeclared individuals
Also absolutely avoid adopting or buying puppies from individuals, for example by responding to advertisements on sites like Le Bon Coin. This type of adoption encourages dog trafficking, the exploitation of female dogs with the multiplication of feral litter, but also abandonment. Every year, thousands of puppies are abandoned – or worse – as a result of unwanted litters by individuals who didn’t bother to have their dogs spayed.
Why adopting a dog from individuals, even for free, is not a good idea? Quite simply because you don’t know anything about the animal’s history. You have no idea who the parents are, whether they were affected by hereditary diseases or not. It is also possible that the animal is not properly socialized, which, in adulthood, could cause you serious problems. Finally, it happens that individuals do not hesitate to separate the puppies from their mother much too early, while the weaning is not finished. Again, you run the risk of your dog becoming unbalanced as an adult.
Puppies bred by undeclared individuals are also not registered with the LOF but simply typed. Certainly, the prices are more attractive than at a breeder, but you take unnecessary risks. If you cannot afford to buy a “purebred” animal, but still want a particular breed, why not contact the SPA or associations in your region? Unfortunately, shelters welcome many animals, and one of them could very well correspond to what you are looking for.
Puppy or adult dog?
The question does not arise if you adopt from a breeder, but what if you have decided to adopt your dog from an association? Puppies and adults have different needs and expectations. You should also ask yourself what you want to do and what you expect from your dog yourself.
Why a puppy?
Adopting a puppy has its advantages. First, your little dog has a much more malleable character than an adult dog, whose characteristics are already well-defined. It will therefore be easier for you, in theory, to educate him and teach him what you expect of him. Adopting a puppy also allows you to pay close attention to its socialization, which must take place between the second and third months to be optimal. The legal age of adoption is two months, you are therefore in the ideal period to begin these very important stages in the life of your animal.
But beware, having a puppy at home is not easy either, and taking care of it will require a lot of your time and energy. You must teach him cleanliness, and you will not escape accidents. You will therefore have to be patient and indulgent with your little puppy. The first nights also promise to be difficult, because he has just left his family to arrive in an unknown house, with unknown people. Also remember to secure your environment, because puppies are curious by nature. So expect your new furball to cause some damage to your home!
Why an adult dog?
Adopting an adult dog is very different from adopting a puppy. You are indeed dealing with a dog who has already developed his character and who has had more or less positive life experiences. It is sometimes difficult to know the exact part of the dogs found in shelters, but that does not mean that they do not deserve a second chance, quite the contrary.
If your dog has been waiting for a while in a shelter or association, there is a good chance that the volunteers will know his character and his habits well, which will allow him to find the family that suits him best. With an adult dog, you also have no surprises regarding its final size! He will also be calmer and less rambunctious than a puppy.
An adult dog can however be a little more difficult to educate, but nothing insurmountable either. You can absolutely call on a dog trainer to support you!
Finally, you can also adopt an older dog. In shelters and associations, these dogs, unfortunately, have much less chance of being adopted than others and often wait a long time to find a family – if they find one. Adopting an older dog gives you the opportunity to offer an animal a peaceful end of life. Of course, if he is sick, you will probably have veterinary costs, but do not forget that an older dog is coming to the end of his life.
In theory, you also commit for a shorter period than for a puppy or a younger dog. Also, remember that adopting a puppy does not protect you from having a sick dog either. So don’t hesitate to give a senior dog a chance!
Male or female?
Some masters sometimes wonder whether they should adopt a male or a female. Will there be a difference in character between the two animals? In reality, the behavioral differences are quite minimal, and everything is generally played on the size because for some breeds, the sexual differentiation is quite marked.
Another very important difference to take into account is obviously the physiological difference. If you adopt a female, you will have to manage her heat twice a year. These periods, which are still quite long, influence the behavior of the animal. But also on yours, because you will have to adapt to avoid ending up with a wild litter. It is also preferable to have your dog sterilized to avoid this kind of inconvenience, and also to protect her from certain very serious diseases. As for the males, not castrated, they could be more brawling with their congeners. Here again, it is anyway preferable to sterilize the animal.
Apart from these physical differences, it is above all the individual that must be taken into account, and not based on generalities. Also, when you go to a breeding or an association, observe the dog or the female dog well to know its character. There are animals that are timider, more reckless, more fearful, more affectionate, or more courageous than others. It is very important to also take this parameter into account when adopting because you must find a dog that suits you!
Preparing for the arrival of your dog
You have made your decision, well thought out, and you are now ready to welcome your dog or puppy into your home. But for everything to go well, you must of course prepare for its arrival!
If you have adopted a puppy from a breeder, try to visit him often enough so that he can already get used to your presence a little. Bring a t-shirt with your scent for him, and take a fabric with his mother’s scent, for example, to place it in your home. If you have other animals, they may already get used to the presence of the new arrival. Similarly, this piece of fabric impregnated with a known smell will also be of great help to calm your puppy when he arrives in an unfamiliar place.
On the equipment side, plan everything well so you don’t have to run everywhere on D-Day. Buy a basket adapted to the size of the animal. If you are welcoming a puppy, take a small basket. You will buy one later. Provide water and food bowls, toys, cushions, blankets, harnesses, leashes, etc. Avoid buying a dog training mat: on paper, the idea is not bad, but in practice, it can be disastrous, because this object will accustom your dog to do its business inside your foyer.
Also plan the first appointment with the veterinarian, in order to check as quickly as possible if your puppy or your dog is in good health. The detection of certain diseases, such as distemper, parvovirus, Rubarth’s hepatitis or even hip dysplasia, constitute redhibitory defects. This means that their discovery allows the buyer to turn against the seller of the animal.
During the adoption: do everything to make sure everything goes well
Now you need to pick up your puppy or dog and bring it home. During the car trip, try to reassure him as much as possible. If it is a small puppy, the change of environment is great: it leaves its mother and its brothers and sisters to sail toward the unknown. Perhaps provide mattress pads to avoid accidents in the car. You can buy a small transport basket to place your animal in – if it fits! – with fabrics impregnated with the scent of his mother.
What to do once you get home
Once at home, it is very important to let your new four-legged friend do it at their own pace. Above all, avoid shouting and agitation around him to scare him. Place him in a room where he would be allowed to go, even as an adult. Education begins gently, as soon as the animal arrives. It is important to be consistent from the start to avoid seeing everything start from scratch later!
Allow him to explore your home a bit so that he can familiarize himself with his new surroundings. However, limit the number of rooms to which he has access to prevent the animal from feeling lost or frightened. Give your dog time and don’t rush him. He must do it at his own pace and above all, calmly.
Introduce it to other family members
If you live alone, the question does not arise immediately! However, it is important for the animal to see new faces quickly enough to begin its socialization well. Ask your friends or family members to come and see him so that the dog can get used to the presence of humans. These introductions must again be done calmly.
If you have children, it’s important to teach them not to howl or fuss at the dog or puppy. They would run the risk of rushing him and frightening him. Nor should they follow him everywhere, but let him do it at his own pace. Your new companion will get used to their presence very quickly anyway!
Likewise, teach your children to always respect the dog. You must therefore not pull on its ears or its tail, climb on it, disturb it when it sleeps or when it eats, etc. Even the calmest of pooches can have a tantrum when children annoy him for too long. And unfortunately, some big dogs will do damage unintentionally.
Introduce him to other animals
The presence of another animal or several animals is not an obstacle to the adoption of a puppy or a dog, but it does however require some adjustments and warnings to ensure that everything goes well. . The arrival of an “intruder” necessarily disturbs the animals present, and things should not be rushed.
Another dog
Some breeds are less tolerant of their peers than others, especially males. Before any adoption, it is very important to take this parameter into account. If you have several dogs, introductions should be done collectively and not individually.
Before making introductions, wait a bit for your new dog to get to know the place, so as not to add stress to another stress. Once you feel confident, you can let your other dog(s) come.
You just adopted a puppy
Be careful that the vaccines of the other dogs are up to date! Your new hairball is indeed still vulnerable, before its reminders, to certain diseases. Choose a neutral place to prevent the house dog from being too territorial. Keep an eye on the animals, but don’t intervene unless there is an obvious danger. You can clap your hands to attract animals’ attention. Repeat the operation, until the little puppy has been perfectly accepted. In general, young dogs fit in quite easily.
You have just adopted an adult dog
Presentations between adult dogs can be a little tougher, but nothing insurmountable either, don’t worry. However, expect the deal to take a little longer than with a puppy. Try to choose a neutral place for the presentation and let them sniff each other, watching the process carefully. There may be a few growls, but if things get worse, step in to separate the dogs.
Repeat the operation as often as necessary. In the beginning, avoid placing the baskets of your animals next to each other, as well as for the bowls, in order to avoid frontal encounters. If the cohabitation is really going badly or your dog does not accept the newcomer, you can call on a canine behaviorist to help you.
A cat
Unlike dogs, cats are territorial animals by nature. The arrival of a new animal, which is moreover a dog, will therefore not necessarily be seen with a very good eye. First of all, know that you should never force a cat to meet a dog. You risk leaving your feline with lasting trauma. Presentations must therefore be methodical.
The idea is that the cat and the dog have grown up together, but of course, this is not always possible. If the dog arrives after the cat, here are some precautions to take to avoid a disaster. First, make sure that your puppy or dog is more or less calm: an animal that is too excited could scare your tomcat.
It is best not to rush the meeting. If you can, try to get your cat used to the smell of dogs or puppies by placing fabrics or objects impregnated with their smell in your home several weeks before their arrival. Your feline will at least have time to get used to it.
After the puppy or dog arrives, again avoid a head-on encounter. Isolate them in different rooms. You can place a barrier at the door, like those used for babies, so that the two animals can observe each other without risking coming into contact.
Once they get to know each other well, you can move on to the next step. Keep your pooch on a leash, just in case, but don’t intervene unless there is imminent danger. Your cat must absolutely be able to escape. Limit sessions of this type to ten minutes, and above all, do not punish your dog if he is a little too enthusiastic. He might associate the presence of your tomcat with negative behavior on your part.
Try to appeal to their greed to facilitate the agreement. Place the bowls of your two animals at respectable distances, before bringing them closer little by little when you see that the situation lends itself to it. If you manage to place them very close to each other, then you’ve won, or almost! Let your cat roam freely around the house, making sure your dog doesn’t run after him or be too rough with him trying to play.
If your cat doesn’t want to stay in the room with the puppy or dog, so be it. You’re going to have to be patient for the situation to calm down, and even if the first few days will most certainly be difficult, don’t worry. Failing to become best friends, the animals will end up tolerating each other.
For added security, you can buy a Baskerville-style muzzle for your pooch, especially if it’s an adult dog. This muzzle does not completely restrict the animal’s mouth and allows you to give it treats. Use these to teach your pooch not to rush the cat or to rush towards him at the risk of scaring him.
After adoption: living with your dog
It’s done: your puppy or your dog has now arrived safely at your home and is starting to get used to its new home! Now it’s up to you to do everything to make sure everything goes for the best. To do this, here are some valuable tips that will allow your dog to integrate perfectly into his new family while avoiding mistakes that could cost you dearly later.
The question of sleeping
Adopting a dog sometimes puts you in front of choices whose consequences you have to be aware of. The first nights with your dog or puppy at home may be complicated to manage, but you must show resolution, even if it means evolving on the issue later. It is always easier to prohibit, than to authorize than to do the reverse.
This is why specialists advise not to let your dog sleep in his room, and even less on his bed, at least initially. If your puppy has trouble falling asleep at night for the first few times, you can place his basket in your bedroom, at the foot of your bed, and then move him a little further away each evening, until he is completely out of bed. the room.
Why advise owners against letting their animals sleep with them? Quite simply because it would risk creating a phenomenon of hyper-attachment, which then would lead to separation anxiety. Your dog would then show problematic behaviors to show his suffering: destruction, and barking … In addition, letting his dog sleep in his room or on his bed unbalances the family hierarchy.
Start your education quickly
The education of your puppy or your dog must begin as soon as he arrives at your home. In the case of a young dog, training will generally be easier, because you are starting from scratch. You, therefore, have in front of you an entirely blank canvas that you will have to paint carefully to avoid erasures that are difficult to hide afterward.
From the start, set strict rules. What you intend to forbid him later must be as soon as he arrives. It’s easy to be moved by a puppy, but don’t forget that he will grow! Especially if you are adopting a large dog. It is easier to control a hairball weighing a few kilograms than a huge mastiff weighing fifty kilograms. If you fail to impose yourself from the start, you will face serious problems.
However, be very careful. The education of a dog should never go through violence. For many years, veterinarians, educators, and specialists have agreed that education, to be effective, must be based on a positive approach. The principle is very simple: reward the good behavior of your doggie and ignore the bad ones. The goal is to reinforce the urge to reproduce the good attitude in order to obtain a reward (in the form of a caress, a compliment, a treat, or a game), rather than going through coercion and fear.
Positive training is also a great way to strengthen the relationship and bond you have with your dog by spending time with him. You don’t need to devote hours to it every day: a quarter of an hour is enough. Beyond that, your dog would lose his concentration anyway, and the session would be useless.
Should punishment be banned entirely? No, but it must remain exceptional, immediate, and non-violent. This can for example be the stopping of the game in the event of bad behavior. You can also ignore your pooch to give him time to calm down. Dogs are intelligent animals: they quickly associate annoyance with behavior.
For education to be successful, you must also adopt the right attitude and apply three main principles that will follow you throughout your life: constancy, consistency, and patience. Training a dog takes time. Be lenient with him and repeat the exercises as many times as necessary. Be consistent. Don’t change orders every five minutes or use contradictory commands. What is prohibited must be for the long term and not every other day.
If you feel overwhelmed by the situation or if you are simply afraid of making a mistake, do not hesitate to call on a dog trainer to help you! You can also go to a puppy school to perfect your dog’s education. Education is not only a way to make you obey: it also allows your hairball to evolve without fear in society.
Here are a few basic commands that are important to learn as soon as possible:
- The reminder
- walking on a leash
- The hitchhiking
- The no “
- Sitting and lying
Retraining an adult dog
When you adopt an adult dog, you usually don’t know anything about his past. His education is therefore often a big question mark. Some associations and shelters try to instill a few basic orders in their doggies before letting them go to their new family. Other dogs have already received a solid education before being abandoned. But for others, you have to start all over again.
As with a puppy, certain commands must be instilled as quickly as possible: recall, walk on a leash, “sit” and “no”. An adult dog already has his little character and this parameter should be taken into account in your approach to his education.
If the dog has not been properly socialized, it will also have to go through this essential step. If he is being aggressive towards other dogs or is fearful, it may be best to seek help from a dog behaviorist, even more so if this is your first dog and you are missing out. maybe still some knowledge needed.
Training an adult dog will require patience from you, but be as indulgent as for a puppy, because habits and fears are difficult to overcome. Give your dog time to get used to his new life, without, of course, neglecting this obligatory passage which is education.
Teach him cleanliness
Again, this is a major and essential step for cohabitation with your new hairball to go as well as possible. However, be patient and forgive any small accidents that may still occur for some time. To potty train your puppy, you must encourage him to relieve himself outside by praising him whenever he does.
To do this, take your doggie out at least every hour and a half and bring it to a suitable place. Avoid the middle of the sidewalks and prefer gutters or small squares of greenery not frequented by passers-by. When your pup relieves himself, give him lots of praise! He will quickly understand that it is better to pee outside to have cuddles or treats.
If possible, avoid buying a potty mat, which would only delay the dog’s toilet training. Even if this object is practical, because you avoid accidents, you especially encourage your pet to relieve itself inside your home. Of course, in some cases, this mat is necessary, especially if you are not home often enough to take your doggie out when the time comes. Puppies don’t have full control of their bladder and they won’t be able to wait more than six hours before defecating. However, if you’re away from home so often, ask yourself if you have time to properly care for a pooch.
Finally, you can possibly use a training mat if your young puppy has not yet had all his vaccinations. Indeed, we do not recommend taking the animal outside to avoid contaminating it with serious diseases. To use a training mat, install it in a tiled room, which is much easier to clean. Don’t move it all the time, either, to avoid making your dog feel like your entire home is a giant toilet. Do not install them in every corner either for the same reason.
Ideally, it is still best to take your dog outside to potty train him. But this is not always possible, and the training mat can help out at least temporarily. Eventually, however, your dog must learn to potty train and relieve himself outdoors. If you really don’t have the opportunity to be with your puppy regularly, why not hire a pet sitter, who can then take your little fur ball out in due time?
Start to socialize with him
It is still an essential step in the life of a dog and his master. Socialization is the key to successful cohabitation both at home and outside because your doggie will inevitably have to confront the world around him one day or another. This world includes its fellow creatures, of course, but also other animals and humans.
The socialization of a puppy or a dog is a progressive process, the success of which is part of the long term. The approach is a little different depending on the age of the animal since a young dog will be a little more malleable than an adult, in whom certain fears may already be anchored due to various past experiences.
Socialize a Puppy
The ideal socialization period for puppies is between the second and third months. She, therefore, begins with her breeder and will continue with you. You will have a month for this socialization to be very effective, although it is not impossible, fortunately, to socialize a dog at any age.
Puppies are curious by nature. They don’t experience any particular fear when faced with unfamiliar situations, and it is, therefore, necessary to take advantage of this certain “candor” to confront them with as many things as possible in a minimum of time. Attention! The experiences must always be positive to avoid the installation of lasting trauma in the animal.
What to do to successfully socialize your young doggie? You have three angles of attack:
- socialization with other animals
- socializing with other people
- environmental socialization
You cannot ignore any of these points.
Socialization with other animals
It is thanks to her that your dog will be able to frequent his congeners without this presenting any danger, as much for him, for other dogs, as for humans. This is why it is important that he meets dogs fairly quickly, but be careful, not just any dogs! Indeed, young puppies are not vaccinated during this critical period and should not come into contact with unknown dogs whose general health and vaccinations are unknown.
On the other hand, do not hesitate to put your puppy in contact with doggies that you know. Puppy schools normally require pet vaccinations to be up to date. So you can take your furball there so that it gets to know its fellow creatures.
The socialization of the animal does not stop at three months. It must obviously continue over time. Once the dog has reached its three months and will therefore be vaccinated for good, you can put it in contact with other doggies crossed at random on walks, after asking the owners if their dog accepts its congeners or not to avoid accidents, although as rule puppies are less prone to temper tantrums. Avoid taking your puppy in your arms as soon as you meet another dog: you will maintain a damaging feeling of fear in the long term.
Also put your puppy in contact with other animals: cats, rabbits, birds, horses… The idea is to allow him to accept them without taking them for prey, as far as small animals are concerned. For horses, this will prevent them from being afraid of them if you come across them during a walk.
Socializing with other people
It is important that your puppy learns to be handled from an early age. Normally, any good breeder who respects himself will begin this apprenticeship long before your new companion integrates his new home. But you will also have to teach him to accept being brushed and shampooed if necessary. Teach him also to support the washing of the teeth and the ears, as well as the cutting of the claws.
Your dog must also be handled by different types of people: adults, teenagers, children, men, women, etc. This will prevent him from being afraid of it. Be careful that children do not hurt the animal unintentionally and do not leave them unattended. At this age, a bad experience would leave traces on your doggie.
Socialization with the environment
Finally, the puppy must be taught to evolve without fear within its environment, both outside and inside. At home, get him used to everyday noises quite quickly, such as the vacuum cleaner, the washing machine, television, music, radio, etc.
Outside, your puppy will also learn not to fear the noise of cars or the city if you live in an urban environment. If you plan to take public transport with him, start getting him used to it from an early age to prevent him from disturbing other passengers later on.
It’s also important to get your dog used to the car early on. Make him do small turns, before gradually increasing the distance. If ever your pooch has motion sickness, ask your veterinarian for medication.
Also meet your furball at the beach, in the forest, or in the countryside. The idea is to make him travel as much as possible so that he never has a reaction of fear or reluctance in the face of a new environment. Take it wherever you plan to take it one day, even if the deadline is far away. Show him around train stations or even airports if you feel the need.
Socializing an adult dog
Socializing an adult dog is not at all impossible. If you can, first try to find out about his past with the shelter and the association, to try to understand what he may have been through before arriving at your home. Not all shelter dogs have suffered trauma or abuse. Some had to be abandoned because their master could no longer take care of them properly or following hospitalization or death, for example.
If ever the dog needs to be socialized, it is best to call on a behaviorist or a dog trainer, because the situation is not always easy to manage. Before you can have the services of a professional, try to limit the risk of encounters with other doggies. Avoid dog parks, for example, or crowded places, and never untie your dog! Also try already to set up some rules of life at home, to give a certain framework to the animal. Avoid scolding him so as not to aggravate the problem. And above all, continue to take your dog out, even if it is not yet sociable.
What to do with a lack of socialization?
A lack of socialization in dogs exposes you to more or less serious inconveniences that are difficult to correct in the long term. Here are some problems you may encounter as a result of a lack of socialization:
- Fearful behavior: this fear can manifest itself in front of anyone or anything. Any new stressful environment, any encounter with a stranger, can thus arouse fear in your animal. This almost pathological fear causes very strong anxiety in the animal, which can in parallel develop destructive behaviors.
- Hypersensitivity to sounds: it is not uncommon to see poorly socialized dogs being terrified at the slightest noise, even the one that seems to us the most harmless. A dog that is afraid is unfortunately a dog that can run away to protect itself.
- Aggressiveness: finally, a poorly socialized and fearful dog is a potentially aggressive dog. It is actually the logical consequence of fear: the animal, terrified, seeks to defend itself.
It is therefore essential to correct these problems quickly enough to prevent your pooch’s life and yours from turning into hell. Starting the socialization of your puppy as soon as it arrives is therefore important, but resuming the socialization of an adult dog is just as important. If you encounter difficulties, we again advise you to get help from a canine behavior professional.
What if the adoption goes wrong?
Despite all the goodwill in the world, it can happen that the adoption does not go as planned. Some masters then find themselves distraught with their dog and sometimes consider parting with it. But before arriving at this type of extreme situation, you can also find other solutions.
First of all, try to understand why the adoption is not going well. Has your puppy or dog been poorly socialized? Does it suffer from cleanliness issues? Separation anxiety? In any case, only solving the problem at the source can rectify the situation.
In the case of shelter dogs, sometimes the change of environment causes great stress. You have to give them time to get used to this change and reassess the situation a few days later. Sometimes it also happens that the animal does not adapt very well. In this case, contact the shelter to try to find solutions.
The intervention of an educator or a canine behaviorist can also be very beneficial, especially to resolve concerns related to behavior. The educator will be able to give you the advice you need to resolve the situation, with an outside and critical eye.
Petz Realm 
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