Rescue Dogs: The Good, Bad, and, Sometimes, Ugly
There are countless pets that currently live in animal shelters or at the local humane society. These furry friends come from all different backgrounds and since they are unable to tell people what happened in their past one could only guess. Some animals have lived their entire lives on the streets as strays never having experienced a loving home. Other animals have been a pet before and might have gotten lost, run away, or been abandoned. In both cases, it is sadly common for animals to be abused. Shelter pets have diverse, often sad, backgrounds that can make adjusting to an adopted home challenging.
Bathroom Challenges
Regardless of the animal’s background, there will likely be some adjustment as they learn a new bathroom routine. The pet might need to be housetrained. This takes time as it does with any puppy learning for the first time. Older dogs that might have been abused for using the bathroom might have their own unique challenges such as not wanting to go in front of people, hiding to use the bathroom, or refusing to go in general. Patience is the best solution. Consistency will help them learn and adjust over time.
Behaviorial Issues
A newly adopted pet will have to adjust to the changes. They might be aggressive at times. They might cower in fear or hide. Obedience classes for dogs are an excellent idea to help both the owner and the pet to get to know each other, learn commands together, and begin a positive relationship. Pets that have never been around children might need an adjustment period as well. Children are loud and busy. This can scare pets into thinking that they are a threat. It is best to supervise the pet with children for quite a while until confident that there will be no issues.
Dietary Oddities
Shelter pets come with interesting preferences and bad habits. A dog might gobble up their food very quickly and then throw it up. This is because they are afraid it would be taken away. The pet might not eat the offered food and do a hunger strike. If this happens, be sure to take the pet to a veterinarian St Petersburg FL to ensure that there is not an underlying medical issue. Other pets will get into food and other items that they are not supposed to. Train them with a spray bottle of water for bad behavior and treats for good behavior to help them solidify good actions versus bad actions.
Adopting a shelter pet is equivalent to saving a life. It is the beginning of a positive, long-lasting relationship between pet and owner. There will be some adjustments and training needed when bringing a new pet home. There might be bathroom, behavioral, or dietary challenges during the first few months. Consistency is key in helping the pet to adapt to their new environment and learn the house rules. Shelter pets are amazing animals with some baggage.
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