How To Gain Your New Shelter Dog’s Trust

Gaining a shelter dog’s trust is no easy task. However, with a few key tips, you can develop a strong relationship with your new family member.

There are endless reasons to adopt a dog from a shelter. While this decision is meaningful, it isn’t for those looking to take the easy route. And as a working mom, knowing how to navigate the next few months of rescue dog ownership is the key to successfully incorporating your new family member.

As your dog spends time decompressing, learning your routine, and starting to feel at home, you will need to continuously work to gain their trust. We’re here to offer a few tips to help you bond with your new pup and make them feel like they’re part of the family.

The Benefits of Adopting for Families

Bringing a shelter pup home will require plenty of work, but that isn’t to say that the work won’t be worthwhile. Families, especially those with grade school children, can gain as much as they give when they adopt.

Adopting a dog can help teach children of all ages about responsibility, empathy, and the importance of boundaries. A shelter dog can also help your family by serving as the perfect excuse to go have lunch at the park or go on an evening stroll through the neighborhood. Plus, pets bring something to a household that nothing from the store can—an unmatchable sense of joy.

Gaining Your New Shelter Dog’s Trust

Give Them a Safe Zone

Owning a furry companion can—according to Johns Hopkins—reduce your stress and keep you young. As stress-relieving and comforting as your dog’s presence can be for you and your family, human company may not be comforting for your dog—at first.

One of the best ways to gain your new shelter dog’s trust is to create a safe zone in your home that only they have access to. Place a blanket over a crate to make it seem more secluded and secure. When human interaction gets to be a bit too much, allow your dog to step away and decompress in their space. As a mom, you may need to help establish these boundaries with your children regarding the dog’s personal space.

Learn Alongside Your Dog

Another important aspect of this process is learning alongside your dog. While your new family member learns about the household and who you are, you will also have the wonderful opportunity to learn who they are. However, the dynamic in your home is obviously unequal. You know the space, the routine, and the rules there.

If you want to learn beside your dog on a level playing field, consider taking your dog to training. There are many things to expect when taking your dog to a trainer, but instant changes aren’t one of them. Instead, use these sessions to explore your dog’s personality and discover the dynamic of your relationship together.

Give Them Time and Space To Grow

While it isn’t easy, sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back and wait. Focusing too much on your dog’s interactions and progress can stifle their adjustment. Be mindful of your dog’s behavior, especially around children and other pets, but don’t try to dictate and control how every interaction occurs. Otherwise, your dog could come to believe that they need you there for every moment.

Additionally, you should give your dog the tools to succeed, but let them have their space as they use these tools. One aspect of dog ownership for those who work full-time is giving their dogs something to play with independently. You’ll also want to give them ample opportunities to explore their home on their own. From stress relief toys to independent yard time, it’s important to allow your pup to learn about the world without you, too.

Working while incorporating a rescue dog into your life isn’t an easy task. That said, once you gain your shelter dog’s trust, you will enjoy an unbreakable bond that makes your household that much stronger.

Pet Adoption Certificates

Are you adopting a pet? This pet adoption certificate printable allows you to create a beautiful, personalized keepsake for your newly adopted pet. You can customize the certificate with your pet’s name, adoption date, and your own signature for a special touch.

In a hurry to pick up your pet? With this printable, you can easily create a professional-looking adoption certificate at home without the hassle of waiting for shipping or visiting a store. Simply download the file, fill in the details, and print it out – it’s that simple!