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Contents Now you have chosen your dog 4-7 Stages of your dog’s life 8-15 Problem you could encounter 16-19 Coping with the loss of a beloved friend 20- 23
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Now you have chosen your dog 5
The beginning of your journey with your new dog can be difficult but a relationship between the two of you needs to be established and built upon in these early days. Your new companion has been brought into an unfamiliar environment full of strange sounds and smells so extra affection at this time is essential to make them feel welcome and comfortable within your existing lifestyle. Make sure to try your best to spend as much of your available time in the first several weeks in the company of your new dog to build upon this relationship to make the journey forward more enjoyable and easier for the both of you. If you are introducing your dog to another dog or other
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pet make sure to make this gradual over a period of time because similar to your relationship with them as everything takes time to build and become comfortable. Conflict can occur to begin with but this should pass, if this becomes persistent however rehousing for the better may have to be the only option. To help with the introduction of a new dog make sure to give as much affection to your existing pets so that they don’t feel threatened or feel as if they have lost you as a friend for the new. Remember the first several weeks may be tricky and time consuming but are all worth it to establish a great long term relationship for the journey ahead.
things to remember Give your new pet all the attention and love they deserve. Starting a relationship with your cat will take time and develop gradually. Don’t forget about your existing pets, they need love too still.
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Stages of your dog’s life 9
puppy basics Within the first few weeks puppies grow quickly. At 3 weeks physical and communication skills start to develop. Increased mobility and energy. 8 - 12 weeks learning capabilities are at the greatest.
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Within the first few weeks your puppy begins to develop physically and through its senses. The eyes and auditory canals open so they can communicate with the rest of the litter at 3 weeks and begin to walk. During this time he begins to understand your
time with them at this time to shape the journey ahead and build a social relationship with them more quickly as they are ready to move into a ‘human pack’.
complex social behaviours that are taken throughout the journey puppy will being to develop complex social behaviours that are taken throughout the journey because their species is so social and relies on this. At 8 to 12 weeks of the journey their learning capabilities are at their greatest and you should spend a great deal of
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adult basics Continue to build relationships and spend time with your dog as they are highly social animals. Look to you for exercise and hygiene with regular walking and baths. Maximise happiness and experiences together during this stage.
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This is the largest stage of the journey in a dog’s life and as they are highly social animals it is necessary to continue to build the social relationships you already have and allow them to interact with other dogs and pets. Similar to any other pet they still need to
clean and happy. If you have a dog whilst having a hard working lifestyle those who take a break to walk them will return to work in a more productive, creative and positive frame of mind. Maximising your dog’s happiness in this stage will
this is the largest stage of the journey in a dog’s life continue with affection but dog’s are more dependent on you and will look to you for exercise and hygiene. Because of this make sure to take them on regular walks while they are still fit and healthy to do so and give them regular baths and brushing to keep them
increase it’s life span and experiences, along with yours too.
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senior basics Different breeds are considered senior at different ages. Regular vet checks are needed. Fitness level will decline and they will become less active over time. Signs of old age in a dog are the changes to the head and muzzle which may become grey.
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Different breeds of dog are considered senior at different ages. It may also depend on the individual dog. The process of aging will begin slowly and nearly imperceptibly. Your dog will become less active, metabolism will slow down, and he might put on weight.
Their sense of smell is normally not affected too much by aging. Your senior dog will still love to play although their fitness level has declined somewhat. And if there are little house training “accidents,” they’ll be quite embarrassed.
your senior dog will still love to play It’s important to change their diet and give them smaller portions. The first signs of old age will appear between the eighth and tenth year. The head and muzzle might become grey, and they may experience a deterioration of sight and hearing.
So it’s best not to scold them. Again spend this time wisely with your loved one because this time is now limited.
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Problems you could encounter
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Be careful not to confuse a behaviour problem with a health issue. Prescribed medications can also have behavioural side effects. Whenever medication is prescribed for your pet, ask about the side effects so you can be prepared. Behaviour problems need to be treated slightly different as they have often been achieved by numerous times of praising the wrong behaviour in the past just for a bit of peace. As rewarded behaviour is likely to increase in frequency and unrewarded behaviour is likely to decrease in frequency. Sometimes we are so believed when bad behaviour has stopped that we don’t acknowledge good acts. So remember only reward when you only think its good
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and what you want not just to keep them quiet. Simple changes to the environment which your dog lives in can remove some of the problems which you could face on the journey. If you don’t want your dog jumping and sleeping on your bed then simply shut the bedroom door, removing the situation all together. Similarly don’t want your dog playing with important home decorations then make sure they are out of their reach in the first place. Please make sure not to abuse this solution by socially isolating your companion in a crate, garage, yard, or basement for long hours every day.
things to remember Be careful not to confuse a behaviour problem with a health issue. Reward only when completly necessary. Simple changes to environment can remove a problem easily.
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Coping with the loss of a beloved friend 21
The journey has finally come to an end and your beloved friend has passed away, intense pain and grief accompanies this which is normal to feel with any loss. Coping with that grief and the decisions for your family after the loss can be difficult to face but need to be dealt with in order to move on; and thats what they would want you to do too. During the years you spent with your pet, it became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don’t be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship. People who don’t understand the pet/owner bond may not
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understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Don’t let others dictate your feelings: They are valid, and may be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone. Working through your feelings with another person is one of the best ways to put them in perspective and find ways to handle them. Dogs observe every change in a household, and are bound to notice the absence of a companion. Dogs can form strong attachments to one another, and the survivor of such a pair may seem to grieve for its companion and could even grieve for a fellow cat. Make sure to give the remaining friend extra attention and love to compensate for their love lost too.
things to remember Grieving is normal in this situation and must be accepted to move on. Look for another source of comfort within the home. Others around are here to help.
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For further information and advice visit www.adorethosepaws.co.uk Scan the QR code with your smart phone to go direct to the site now.
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