By Megan Gabel
You’ve fallen in love with a dog, like Smoky, Dexter, Frankie, or John and now you are taking him home from the Society for the Protection of Animals (S.P.A.) Here’s what you need to know to ensure your new best friend has all he needs for a successful transition:
1. Food and water: For the first few days, mix some of the dog’s provided S.P.A. food with his new food. Feed a young puppy 3-4 times per day; adults, feed preferably twice daily, but once daily is satisfactory. Fresh water should always be available.
2. Sleeping: Have a crate for the puppy to sleep in or use a box with a door cut out for easy access. Place a towel or a blanket inside. An adult dog likes a crate or a dog bed, too.
3. Safety-indoors: Securely close all areas containing cleaning liquids, powders, poisons, and medications. Note dangerous items in your house and prevent access for your dog.
4. Safety-outdoors: When your dog is outside by himself in a fenced or walled-in area, make sure that he is protected from the elements, his environment is secure, and he has shade and water.
5. General protection: Whether he is inside or outside, he should always wear a collar with an identification tag with your contact information on it. Supervise your children with your new dog to make sure they are treating him well.
5. Housetraining: Take your dog outside after eating and upon awakening; for puppies, every 1-2 hours is necessary. You can also use newspaper and crate training methods. Reward him with praise, treats, and a lot of love.
6. Health: When you leave the S.P.A., you will have an appointment to bring in your new pet for a free follow-up visit. If you have questions, that visit is a good time to ask them. Keep track of all vaccination requirements. Use flea and heartworm preventative medication monthly. See the vet for any health concerns.
7. Additional puppy issues: A puppy may cry because he is lonesome. Reassure him but ignore the crying. It will soon stop. Have chew toys for your puppy. An old shirt with a knot is a good idea. Puppies need to play! Try tug of war or playing fetch with a ball. Puppies should not be left unattended outside for extended periods by themselves, even in a secure area; puppies need to be monitored.
8. Other resources: https://www.youtube.com/ has helpful dog-related care and handling videos. Searches on the Internet and at the library are also helpful.
9. Above all, enjoy your new family member! Pet him, talk to him, play with him, and show him lots of love! Take him for regular walks, always on a leash. Be patient! Give your dog time to adjust. Read about the 3-3-3 Rule when adopting a dog so you know what to expect and when. The 3-3-3 Rule pertains to the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after bringing your dog home. Use your voice and words for discipline – no physical discipline or hitting is necessary.
To meet your new best friend, come to the S.P.A., Los Pinos 7, 415-152-6124 during adoption hours (Monday-Saturday from 11-2pm. Our available dogs are on our website’s Adopt Me pages, https://www.spasanmiguel.org/adopt-me-dogsNow is a great time to contribute to our Pet Food Money Bank fundraiser! Anonymous donors have offered to match all new donations to our Pet Food Money Bank through August 31, 2022 up to a total of US$2,000! Our goal is to raise 250,000 pesos (about US$13,500), all of which will apply to the annual cost of feeding our animals. For more details including how to donate, please see https://www.spasanmiguel.org/pet-food-money-bank To donate by credit card through PayPal (the only way to use a credit card), click the “DONATE” button on that page.
