Introducing An Old Dog To A New Home
We already had two young dogs--a Siberian husky and a yellow lab, not to mention
two cats. I had no plans on getting a third dog. But one morning last November,
while I was volunteering at the shelter, a small seven- year- old dog named
Skipper was brought in. His elderly owners from Port Saunders could no longer
care for him. His neighbour brought him down from the coast. She told us that
he was called "Our Boy" by his owners and that he liked boiled dinner
on Sundays.
Most of the dogs who come into the shelter adjust fairly well. They are energetic and friendly but Skipper didn't want to leave his cage. He was sad and when you talked to him, he would look away. His depression grew deeper with each day. When I saw that he wasn't eating or interacting with the other dogs, I decided to bring Skipper home.
When adopting an older animal, remember that he is bringing his history with him. If possible, try to find out as much as you can about his past. Why has he been brought to the shelter? What is his medical history? Is he sociable with adults of both sexes and with children? What about with other animals--dogs and cats? Talk to the volunteers at the shelter who have observed his behaviour.
Always try to introduce the new family member to the resident pets on neutral territory. My other dogs are not aggressive or dominant, so Skipper fit into the family very well. Be sure that they all have their own space. Keep routines as normal as possible. It will take a while for most dogs to sort out their new position in the family, but don't tolerate aggression. If there is growling or fighting, handle the situation promptly but firmly. A dog obedience class might be helpful or ask your vet for some tips on how to make the transition easier.
It's important that the new dog is treated the same as the others. Skipper only wanted human food. My dogs eat only dog food with the occasional piece of apple or carrot for a treat. Skipper waited stubbornly for something tastier for a few days before finally accepting dog food.
Skipper was obviously in the habit of sleeping on his owner's bed. He now sleeps in his own bed and comes up on the bed only when he's invited.
It takes about a month for an older dog to "trust" in his new home. His heart has been broken and he's very frightened that it will happen again. For the first few days, Skipper would sit on the chair in front of the window, with what I called "his Port Saunder's look". Whenever he got into the car, I knew he was hoping to go back to his former home. For the first month, he didn't want to be alone and would follow me from room to room. But Skipper had been well-loved, and is well-loved again. I've given an old dog a new home that he'll never have to leave.