Settling in your Newly Adopted Spanish Rescue Dog
The importance of settling in your new Spanish Rescue Dog cannot be stressed enough.
Following a few easy guidelines when they first arrive with you will make their transition easier and ensure that they settle into their new surroundings and life with as little stress as possible.
Please note that this information is based on our personal experiences from working with Spanish rescue dogs and that for each dog their settling-in journey may vary.
It is recommended that you read this information more than once before your new dog arrives and make sure that any others who will be around your dog regularly read this information as well.
However please understand that each dog is an individual and you will need to meet their needs as such.
Collection Day
You will be given a local destination (usually your local motorway services) by an experienced and knowledgeable animal transporter.
Your dog will be given to you along with all relevant documentation, please be aware that these documents are extremely important and should be kept somewhere safe in case of a visit from DEFRA to your home.
The transporter will be on hand should you need any assistance in getting your dog into your car.
What to bring with you
Standard lead
Slip lead
A dog travel crate which fits inside your car (please take into consideration the size of your dog when buying your travel crate)
Method of securing your dog in the car if you do not have a crate.
A friend or family member to help you should you need assistance and to help settle your dog while you make the careful journey home.
Please note that you are required by law to have your dog suitably restrained in your car when travelling.
Arrival day guidelines
Once the transporter has given your dog over to you, please do not stand around chatting, your dog is likely to be extremely sensitive to their new environment and may try to escape.
Please put them straight into your car and secure them appropriately.
Please do not remove your dog’s lead while travelling, keep it on as long as it is safe to do so this will make getting them out of the car easier when you arrive home. If you have to remove their lead then please reattach it before opening any doors.
Your home checker will have evaluated the safety and suitability of your home and garden for the dog you have applied to adopt. This is important as your new dog will be a flight risk and may try to escape from your home or garden, please be vigilant when opening doors and gates making sure your dog is in a safe area before doing so.
Once Inside Their New Home
Offer them a little light food and water however do not be alarmed if they do not show any interest in it, just leave it for them to go back to when they feel comfortable enough to do so.
Leave their lead attached to them so it is easier to take hold of them in the case of any emergencies.
Time and space to decompress is essential, if you take only one thing from these guidelines make it this one. Your dog’s entire life has just changed in the space of a few days, not to mention the added stress of a long journey to the UK, so be patient, leave them to rest where they feel comfortable, and try to avoid putting any pressure on them to come to you. Avoid entering their personal space, and allow them to approach you when they are comfortable.
When they first arrive, they may or may not be sensitive to different things eg loud noises, fast movement, other pets etc. Normal household appliances like hoovers, washing machine, and TVs may all be foreign to your dog and can take some time for them to get used to. Be aware that these things may cause them some anxiety at first so try to introduce them gradually.
Try to prevent putting your new dog in overwhelming situations. Allow them some time to build trust in you and their new surroundings, and avoid having too many visitors or people in your home for a few days. Do not put pressure on them to go out for walks to start with- remember a lot of these dogs were only ever introduced to a lead during their journey to the UK.
It is a good idea to keep a long training line attached to them when they are roaming in the garden, this will allow you to have the security of being able to get hold of the training line in the event of any emergencies.
Once they are less withdrawn introduce them to short walks but keep them on their lead at all times, remember they do not know the area, everything and everywhere is new to them and they may panic and try to escape at any point.
It is a good idea to use both a collar with lead along with a harness and lead until they are less anxious, then you can choose which combination works best for your dog and you. Another option is using a collar and lead and a slip lead.
Increase their daily exercise gradually and try to be patient and calm in new situations if you are panicked, they will also worry.
Plan with your employer to have some time off when your new dog first arrives.
House training your rescue dog
In most cases rescue dogs are very clean inside their living areas and prefer to toilet outside, however, every dog is different and even with “clean” dogs you must expect little accidents now and again, especially as they are settling into their new lives and daily routine.
Try to remember to take your dog into the garden on their long training lead every hour and allow them some space (while keeping watch) to feel comfortable to do their needs without feeling threatened.
Give quiet, gentle praise once they have finished this will help them to understand that what they are doing is a positive thing.
Top Tips
Most shelter dogs have no idea what a bed is and at best will have had a blanket on the ground to curl up in. Please do not be offended if your dog turns their nose up at their new bed and instead lies on the hard floor, this is what they have been used to. Do not force the issue of the bed, they will get around to it once they understand things a little better. You can put down folded blankets in different locations so the dog can chose where it is comfortable to settle.
Should your new dog have a fear issue or mistrust issues with a specific person within your household make a point of having that particular person being the main caregiver for a few days eg this person would provide their food, some short walks in a place they feel comfortable and enjoy. If your dog enjoys playing fetch with a ball or a favourite toy make sure this person spends time in the garden or inside the house providing these fun activities this will allow them to form a bond and build a relationship based on mutual trust.
Always approach your new dog slowly and quietly, preferably without strong eye contact and try and lower your body a little and turn very slightly side on. It can be very intimidating to a nervous dog if you suddenly move quickly towards them, face on, looking straight at them, this can provoke a flight reaction.
Where possible, and as long as your dog is comfortable around other dogs, ask a friend who has a nice calm balanced dog to come and walk with you and your new dog.
Some dogs cope remarkably well when they first arrive and settle in no time at all. This means some new adopters may not experience any of these issues while others will experience some and others will experience all. However, if you stick by the rules of space, time and patience you and your new dog will settle down in no time.
Please get in touch with us with any questions you may have and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
