In This Guide

Animal Adoption is a great experience and our mission is to make sure we provide you with the best education about your new companion to create the most success. We know the excitement of meeting your new furfriend and companion you may forget a few things.

City License

Required for your dogs and cats.

Your cats and dogs are required by the state of Colorado to have a city license.

Contact your local animal services division for further instructions on how to purchase one. Many can easily be obtained online.

Ways to Prevent Stress for your new FurFriend

Go Slow. Stay Calm. Be Flexible.

Go Slow

Similar to us, new things can be scary even for those that are most confident. It is very important that you allow your new furfirend to adjust at their own pace. Too much too soon can be overwhelming for them and can cause them to exhibit undesirable behaviors.

Our first recommendation is to allow your furfriend to explore their new home with everyone being calm and taking turns meeting each new human in the home. Save any big outings away from the new home for a few weeks until they have had a chance to really decompress and get comfortable with your family.

Stay Calm

We know how exciting bringing your new furfriend home is. The urge to hug, squeeze and love on them is very strong! Please know like us, our furfriends have their own "bubble" too and it is important to respect that bubble. Give them a chance to explore "alone" with you observing from a distance. This allows them to become comfortable with all the new smells and sounds of their new home.

Be Flexible

It is important to show your new furfriend patience and understanding as they are learning what is expected of them in their new routine. Consistency is key for everyone as your adjust to a new life together. Create a routine that works best for both of you to have success.

The Biggest Mistake that People Make With New Dogs?

Showering Them With Love

That's right The biggest mistake that people (adopters, fosters, shelter/rescue staff, etc) make with recently rehomed or rescued dogs, is giving them an abundance of (inappropriate) physical love and attention.

Why?

1. The physical displays that humans give when offering "love and affection" include behaviors such as kissing them on the face, leaning over them, hugging them, excessive prolonged petting, and constantly interacting with them. These behaviors are all naturally threatening to a lot of dogs, or at best, annoying, particularly when the dog is interacting with someone new to them. What we think of as "love" is often seen as discomfort in the eyes of a newly rehomed or rescued dog. This can sadly push the dog to displaying aggression in defense of the perceived threats.

2. The dog’s entire world just turned upside down. They are removed from EVERYTHING familiar to them. They are stressed. Studies have shown that stress levels in dogs from big events (such as relocating) can take up to three days to even begin to decrease. Add to that all the excessive interaction and you’re preventing the dog from being able to relax.

3. Some dogs don’t know what it’s like to have a ton of attention and interaction. Lots of dogs sadly grew up neglected or living outdoors. Therefore, an overabundance of attention stresses them out because it’s not normal to them and they don’t know how to respond. They never had the chance to grow up developing positive associations with it.

4. Giving more than the average amount of time and attention to the dog in the beginning sets a precedent for later. At some point, the dog will get less attention when they’re no longer brand new, when the owner goes back to work, and when life just carries on in general. This can harm the dog later by predispositioning them to developing separation anxiety type behaviors.

5. Decompression, i.e., time to chill out, rest, and recover is way more important than an overload of attention. Giving the dog some space while implementing predicable routines will help stress levels decrease faster and allow for better integration. Those are things the dog can really understand and appreciate.

There will be plenty of time to bond with the dog without being excessive in the amount of attention you give. Show them love and build trust appropriately and in a long-lasting way via daily care, training, and overall time spent together. THAT’S the kind of love you want to shower them with.

All Dogs Need Good Training

Any animal can learn new tricks but it takes dedication and real, honest to goodness commitment to speak a common language with them.

Note all trainers are good trainers

Please conduct a thorough phone interview with any trainer you are considering hiring to work with your pets! Sadly, there are many unqualified trainers and behaviorists making the rounds taking your money and leaving pets in worse emotional condition than when they started. If the “trainer” suggested the use of corporal punishment, etc…RUN!

Ask your potential trainer what their credentials are and follow up to verify them. Ask for several references and call them. Your pet depends on you to make the best choice for them. Hiring the right trainer for your pet is paramount.

L.O.L.A.'s Rescue and Feline Friends of L.O.L.A.'s

In This Guide

City License

Ways to Prevent Stress for your new FurFriend

Go Slow

Stay Calm

Be Flexible

The Biggest Mistake that People Make With New Dogs?

Showering Them With Love

Why?

All Dogs Need Good Training

Note all trainers are good trainers

Trainers Lola's Works With

Debi Smith

JC Snider

Healthy Puppies

Keep Your Pup Busy