Help! I just adopted a dog: tips to keep your sanity in the first weeks with your new best friend

You have been planning for months, maybe years to adopt a dog. You did your research on breeds, training, food, vet care. You are so ready for this. Or, maybe a homeless or needy pup found her way to you, totally unexpected. And you said, sure I can take her! I love dogs, how hard can it be? You rushed out and got her a bed, a bone, a bowl.

Now you’re home, it’s just your pup and her new family. The first days and weeks after bringing home a new dog can be a big adjustment and you might feel overwhelmed or out of your depth. I know I did when I brought my dog home. Here are some tips to get through those initial weeks with your sanity intact.

• Forgive yourself.

You are worried you are going to make mistakes with your dog. You will. But, there are practically no mistakes which can’t be repaired. Download the ASPCA Animal Poison Control App and avoid highly intense or off-leash activities until you know your dog better (see #3 below), and you should be good.  Animal companions are incredibly forgiving. That is one reason we are so drawn to them. If you get something wrong, you’ll know better next time and that is good enough. Give yourself permission to try things and you’ll learn from however it turns out.

• Remember: this is just the beginning.

It has only been a week and already your dog has wormed his way into your heart and into your family. In some ways if feels like he’s always been there (for better or worse!). But you will look back in six months or a year and see how much things have changed and evolved. Especially with rescue dogs, it takes them time to recover from their journeys and to feel safe enough to be themselves. I encourage you, in those first weeks, to think of your adventure with your dog as a process which is just starting rather than one that has been completed with the adoption.  You will figure this out.

This is my dog, Tobey's, transformation from his adoption in August 2010 to present.

• Take it slow.

You have a dog now! There are so many fun dog-related activities to do! The dog park, puppy classes and training, hiking, eating al fresco at the local bistro, the beach, the park, the vet, hanging out with friends’ dogs, riding in the car. Hopefully you have years and years to experience all of these joys with your dog. For the first weeks, try to hold off as much as you can.  If you adopted a puppy, the whole world is new to her. If you rescued a dog, think of the journey she went on to get to you. Help your dog feel grounded before introducing the extras. If you are able to do that, you and your dog will be more likely to have positive experiences with the fun stuff.

• Get support.

Bringing a new animal companion into your home is a major adjustment. No matter how prepared you are, meeting the needs of a dependent creature means that there will be changes to your routines, finances, and even your other relationships. Stressful situations are always tougher alone. Get support to avoid feeling isolated. Ask friends with dogs in person or on social media about what those first days were like. Keep the lines of communication open with your partner and kids; you are all negotiating roles and responsibilities. Lean on friends and family to come and dog sit while you go out for a coffee or shopping. Hire a dog walker.

Photo by Justin Veenema on Unsplash

Some final thoughts...

Try to keep a sense of humor and take lots of pictures! Try to imagine yourself in a comedy of errors or imagine looking back on the moments of chaos and ridiculousness. It will help to put things in perspective. I know it seems superfluous to mention taking pictures in this day and age, but don’t forget! The first days go by in a whir and you’ll want them to look back on.

Enjoy the ride and share in the comments about your first days with your dog!

5 Off-the-Beaten-Path Places to Bond with Your Dog in NYC

Dogs are everywhere in New York City, but sometimes it feels that, as dog owners, we're shut out of so many fun places if we want to bring our dogs along. Here are some ideas to shake up your routine and have some new experiences with your pup. Remember, every dog is different, so keep your dog's personality and preferences in mind when choosing an activity. Have fun!

Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash

1. Inwood Hill Park

A massive park at the northern tip of Manhattan. This park has busy areas but also miles of trails to explore where you really feel like you’ve left the city. There’s also caves, eagles, and ancient burial grounds.

2. Boat Basin Cafe

A riverside café on the banks of the Hudson which has allowed dogs since before it was cool. Some might say it is a bit expensive for what you get, but a peaceful evening watching the sunset, by the water, with drinks – and your dog?! I think it’s worth it.

3. Prospect Park Dog Beach

Photo by Andrew Pons on Unsplash

Newly remodeled, it’s a fun place take to take water-loving dogs to cool off. Also, how often do our doggies get to frolic in the water in NYC? After your swim, enjoy a stroll through the park and then head to one of the many dog friendly restaurants with outdoor seating in Park Slope.

4. Brooklyn Cyclones Bark in the Park

If you have a social pup, who does not mind crowds, this could be a fun activity. The stadium’s bleacher section is reserved for people who bring their dogs. There will also be adoptions, freebies, and a chance to parade around the ball field with your dog!  

5. dOGUMENTA

An art exhibit for dogs (and their people) is coming to Brookfield Place in Tribeca in August 2017. The exhibit was inspired by Jessica Dawson’s visits to Chelsea galleries with her dog. The installation will feature art which both canines and humans can appreciate. Apparently, many art galleries in Chelsea are dog friendly, so when the installation is closed,

Did you try any of these? Which did you and your dog like?

Any additional suggestions? 

What is Veterinary Social Work?

What is Veterinary Social Work?

Veterinary social work is a subspecialty of social work which focuses on supporting the needs of the human side of relationships between people and animals. Veterinary social work recognizes that the human-animal bond is a meaningful part of the human experience. As such, it deserves the acceptance and study that the social work field gives to all the other aspects of the human experience.

Dr. Elizabeth Strand, director of the veterinary social work program at the University of Tennessee (UT), came up with the term “veterinary social work” and established the four main areas which comprise the field:

• Animal Assisted Interventions
• The Link Between Human and Animal Violence
• Compassion Fatigue
• Animal-Related Grief and Bereavement

See veterinary social work in action

Green Chimneys School is a therapeutic school in which animal-assisted interactions form the basis of healing for children with severe behavioral challenges.

People and Pets Living Safely (PALS) Project at the Urban Resource Institute is NYC’s first ever co-sheltering program which allows domestic violence survivors to live with their companion animals in shelter.

Compassion fatigue, also known as moral stress, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, or burnout, is of urgent concern in the veterinary community. Many veterinarians are suffering, and suicide in the veterinary community is disproportionately high.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is just one professional organization trying to tackle this problem, and veterinary social workers are part of the solution.

A growing number of veterinary hospitals across the country staff full time social workers to support their clients and staff in issues pertaining to companion animal loss, trauma, and decision making. Some hospitals and animal welfare groups run pet loss support groups so that grieving pet owners can combat some of the isolation that frequently follows the death of a pet.

How does the Human-Animal Bond Project fit in?

My practice provides a space where animal lovers can feel that their priorities are valued. I also do this work as a way of honoring our companion animals and their contributions to our lives. Primarily, I serve clients who are experiencing animal-related grief and bereavement or clients who are anticipating a loss. I include in this category people who are experiencing other animal-related stress, such as caring for a pet with behavioral issues or special needs. My other role is to help veterinary professionals cope with the stresses of their jobs in a world that does not always appreciate the emotional impact of the work they do.