One of the most heartbreaking sights we see at the clinic are dogs surrendered by their owners. Frequently this happens when children come along and the dog is no longer the baby anymore and people do not know how to handle the situation so they surrender their beloved pet.
But having spent their whole life with their owner to then suddenly be left behind by them is a very traumatic experience. Many pine for days and weeks waiting for their owners to come back and collect them.
And all of this could be avoided just by knowing how to train your dog to accept the new addition to the family so that they do not feel threatened or jealous.
Whilst your pet may only be with you for a part of your life, YOU are their whole life and as the old cliché goes – an animal is for life and not just for Christmas.
This is why if you are considering to welcome a dog into your home take off the rose-tinted glasses and look into what it really means. What it means is that your dog will be with you for the next ten to twenty years. During this time your personal circumstances may change; for example, you may have children, a change in work commitments, move house – life changing events that will impact not only on you but also your dog.
The way a dog behaves and reacts is for the most part down to training and the care and love given to it by its owners. If your circumstances change then it is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is included and supported through this change.
Far too many dogs are surrendered when a baby comes along, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Its about how you involve and train your dog so that they do not feel threatened or jealous of the new addition to the family. There may be new rules but as long as your dog is trained and rewarded and most importantly loved, you can soon settle into your new routine.
Consider how you may have helped an older sibling welcome a new baby brother or sister into the family. Involving them, making them feel loved and as important as the new addition. Reassuring them. The same applies with your dog.
If an older sibling reacts to a new baby, would you return the baby to the hospital and say sorry it doesn’t fit in with our family? Of course, you wouldn’t so why do this with your dog?
Your dog is YOUR responsibility, this is part of the contract you signed when you chose to take one into your life. It is YOUR responsibility to navigate life changes supporting your dog through them and not to simply surrender them to an unknown future when the going gets tough.
An animal’s love is unconditional so make yours unconditional too.
