August is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.
When adopting a shelter dog, some pet owners can make mistakes that make their new pet nervous or sick.
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Below are five things that owners can do to avoid issues when adopting a shelter dog, according to Ask.Vet.
Properly pet-proof your home
To make sure your home is properly pet-proofed before you bring your new dog home, crawl around on the ground to see hazards your animal could get into. Look for electrical cords, slippery rugs and dangerous chemicals.
Don’t immediately switch dog off shelter food
Don’t immediately switch your new pet off of the food they were eating at the shelter. Doing so could cause them to get sick.
Don’t force love on your new dog
Moving to a new environment can make your dog nervous. Allow your pet to come to you and don’t immediately smother them with attention.
Monitor your new dog’s bathroom habits
A new environment may make your dog have to use the bathroom more than they usually would. Monitor their bathroom habits and familiarize yourself with when they need to go so you can let them outside enough.
Don’t give in to puppy eyes
It’s important to establish rules and break your new pet’s bad habits as soon as possible, no matter how cute they may look.
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