Keeping Your New Adult Dog Safe

IF YOU HAVE ADOPTED AN ADULT DOG

NO WALKS/TRIPS FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKS! – Your new pet is what we call a monumental, “FLIGHT RISK” during the first two weeks, (minimum) of adoption! He doesn’t know you, your family, or your house and he just wants to go back to what he knows. It’s nothing personal… put yourself in their shoes. You must be mindful of this at all times during this transition period! AT NO TIME during the next several weeks should your new dog be outside alone. Let’s take that a step further – your dog SHOULD be on a leash attached to a very well-fitted collar or better yet, a harness at all times in your back yard for at least 2 weeks. You don’t know if he’s going to jump the fence to try to go back to what he perceives his home to be. Expect your dog to attempt to “door dash” if given the opportunity. Do not allow children to open doors at this time. Do not take your dog on trips to the store, dog parks, or even a walk around the block until that animal has completely decompressed and is comfortable in your home. Before taking your dog on walks, you should have complete recall on that animal, just in case he slips his leash and bolts. The last thing you want is your dog getting away from you when he sees a bunny and you can’t get him back because he still doesn’t even know who you are. Dogs who suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory, with unfamiliar people are SCARED. They absolutely will run if given the opportunity to do so, so please, please, please do not EVER let them outside alone, or give them any opportunity to get away from you – you will likely not get them back.

NO NEW FOOD FOR 10-14 DAYS! Your dog should have been sent home with at least some of the food they have been eating. You will want to keep your new dog on that same food for a minimum of 10-14 days, and I’ll explain why here in just a sec. All dogs experience stress to some degree when moving to a new home. With that stress often comes some physiological responses. Things like, not eating right away or loose stools, (not diarrhea, more like soft serve yogurt) are normal stress reactions. This slight stress response can be treated by feeding a bland diet of chicken breast and rice, and adding a tsp of canned pumpkin to their feedings. That being said, some dogs can experience a high level of stress which can lead to Stress Colitis. Stress Colitis can present as diarrhea, often with mucus or blood in the stools. This really does need to be evaluated by your veterinarian who can confirm the diagnoses, prescribe a G.I. specific antibiotic, probiotics, and either a bland, or temporary prescription diet to help your new pet get through this stressful time. (Every PRAR dog has undergone a minimum 14 day health hold, (quarantine) but if you adopted elsewhere, or bought from a breeder and you see the symptoms above, it is of UTMOST importance to have your pet seen immediately for a fecal exam, lab work, and a parvo test.) Back to the same diet – Your dog should be on the SAME EXACT DIET they have been eating prior to coming home because a sudden change in diet can also cause symptoms similar to what has been described above. During this period it is extremely important that you are monitoring your dog’s stools constantly for any change so that if they are experiencing Stress Colitis, (or worse), you will catch it early. If you brought Fido home and changed up his diet all willy-nilly – you are not going to know if his diarrhea is because of a diet change, or because of a condition which requires veterinary intervention. NO. NEW. FOOD. FOR. 10-14. DAYS. This includes – NO NEW TREATS. Use the dog’s kibble for training treats at this time. If/when you want to change your pet’s diet, (after the initial 10-14 days) please do so gradually, mixing small amounts of the new food into the old food over the course of 7-10 days to allow their little tummies to acclimate to the new diet.

COMFORT ITEMS – If you adopted a PRAR dog, (and hopefully even if you didn’t) you were given used toys that “smell like home.” These are toys that your pet has played with and his siblings or other dogs in the home he is familiar with have played with. These are what we call, “comfort items.” They are familiar in sight and smell, and can bring great comfort when everything else in their whole world is brand new. Please make sure your pet has these items available in their crate and at their disposal whenever they need them. Please do not wash them until the pet has completely decompressed and is 100% comfortable in their new home. (About a month, give or take).