When you spend weeks scouring rescue centres and kennels, finally settling on a dog can be a relief and an exciting moment. Choosing a rescue pup isn’t easy; not with all the brown eyes staring up at you from cage after cage. Rescuing a dog rather than buying a puppy from a breeder can be hugely rewarding, especially if you’ve been searching for the right dog for a long time. Rescue dogs often demand a bigger commitment from their owners due to the fact that they tend to have troubling paths.

Bonding with a new and unfamiliar member of the family is never easy, but bonding with a rescue dog is a whole new experience that you have to be prepared for. So, when you’ve finally chosen your pooch, how do you cultivate that beautiful bond that you’ve always longed for?

Get Ready. Dogs require a lot of preparation, so it makes sense that you have all the necessities for a pup before they come home with you. The right food for them will depend on what they’ve been fed while at the rescue centre, and you’ll need to have a stock of this to help them to settle in. You’ll also need to ensure that they have a comfortable place to sleep as well as a space that’s just for them when things get overwhelming for them, too. You cannot predict how your new dog will react to their new environment, so expect accidents and prepare for those with puppy pads!

Behaviour Preparation. As much as it’s an adjustment for you, it’s also a big change for a small dog. You can invest in some dog training materials to help you to manage their behaviour when they come home with you and you should expect some anxiety. Rescue dogs often come with baggage from their former homes, but that doesn’t mean that you should pander to bad behaviors in your new dog. Teaching them to behave is important so that they can learn to trust you and help your bond to build.

Be Consistent. One of the biggest things that you can do for your home when you bring a dog in is to start a routine and keep up with it. Maintain as much order as possible in the life of your dog and try to keep to the same schedules of feeding and walking. This will help your dog to settle far better than anything else you could try.

Expect Nothing. You can’t know how your new dog will react coming home with you, so it’s important to expect nothing from them and expect to be patient for some time.

Bringing a rescue dog home won’t be easy but finding each other is so important for both of you. Bonding should be a top priority for you so that you can both settle into a future together. There is no need to panic; you’ve just met your new best friend for life!