Gloss chats with dog trainer and Pedigree Adpoption Drive Ambassador, Jess Allsop to get her tips and advice on how to plan for adopting a dog and how to introduce them to the rest of the family (including pets!)

 

Planning a doggy adoption…

 Decisions, decisions…

“Start off by deciding what you want in a dog – don't choose a dog on whim,” says Jess. Ensure its size, temperament and exercise requirements will suit your lifestyle. Decide if you want a young dog or a more mature one, one that can be taken out with you or one that will mostly stay at home. “Being realistic as to the time that you have available for a pet dog is very important,” says Jess. “Dogs need company, exercise and stimulation. They are not a weekend toy!” Plus, ensure your property is adequately fenced.

 Family matters…

Have a family conference to decide on the rules for your new dog, so everyone has the same standards, says Jess. Decide where in the house the dog will be allowed to go, if it will be allowed on the furniture. “Your new dog will do best if it knows the rules and everyone sticks to them.”

Doggy babysitters…

According to Jess, you need to have a back up plan for if and when you travel – will the dog be looked after by a relative, or go into boarding kennels? “Check out the cost of different options as it may surprise you to realise that your dog adds quite a hefty bill onto your holiday budget!” says Jess.

Routine requirements…

“It is essential to ensure you instigate a training regime,” says Jess. “Teach your dog some basic commands as quickly as you can so it has the best chance to succeed in a human orientated world,” she says. “Allow children to be involved in this too. Group training is a great way to teach dogs some basic commands as well as giving them a chance to socialise with other dogs (and other dog owners).”

Top tips for introducing your new adopted pet to the rest of the family – including other pets!
According to Jess, most dogs are happy to meet new people and re-homed dogs generally attach themselves very readily to a new family. Here are her top tips for happy and stress-free introductions;

Positive thinking…

“Ensure meet and greets are positive for the new dog,” says Jess. “If there is another dog in the family, meeting on neutral territory first can be a good idea.”

Exit strategy…

“If there are cats or other animals in the family, ensure they are safe, says Jess. “For example, have an escape route or keep the new dog on a leash initially so they can check each other out from a distance first.”

Ground rules…

“If there are children in the family, supervise introductions carefully and ensure both parties understand some basic rules, such as not allowing the dog to jump on the children, and not allowing the children to handle the dog roughly,” says Jess. “If the dog seems at all cautious around children, ensure you take things slowly and let the dog approach them, not the other way around.”

As PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive Ambassador, Jess believes every dog deserves a loving family and says to be able to get involved in the re-homing of dogs is right up her street!

Every year, all round New Zealand, thousands of dogs are lost and abandoned – unloved, unwanted and unable to comprehend what they did to deserve such desolation.

A registered New Zealand charity, The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive Charitable Trust donates funds raised to animal shelters such as the RNZSPCA to give the thousands of dogs abandoned by their Kiwi owners a second chance in the form of a good home, good food and lots of love.

For more information visit www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.co.nz

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