When the honeymoon is over
I have written on this subject before, but it never hurts to go back over it again.
The first month to 6 weeks after bringing a new pet into your home can be classified as the honeymoon period.
Everything is wonderful. You love your new pet dearly. You can't imagine life without them. I have heard it all.
Then...the new pet figures out you love them. Most times if problems arise, they happen at the end of the honeymoon.
When a new animal enters your home, time is important. You would probably be surprised at the number of animals which are returned to shelters because, "it is just not working out."
What is not working out? Are they not exactly what you thought you were getting? This generally happens within the first week or two after taking your new pet home.
Please remember, just as you are getting to know your new pet, they are also having to learn their new owners. Sometimes, you get lucky. Your new pet acts exactly like you want which probably means they came from a household which had the same rules. Ahhh! Bliss.
Most times this doesn't happen. They go to the front door to go potty. You want them to go to the back. They want to sleep on the couch. You want them to sleep in the new bed you just bought them. The list goes on and on.
This adjustment period is the most important time in any pet's future. What was right in their old home is now wrong. They sometimes must make rapid and massive adjustments to how they act, just to fit in.
Please remember this adjustment period. They really don't want to be returned to the shelter to find another home. They just want to please you and are trying to figure out how. They are not getting you back, being vengeful, trying to make you feel guilty or any of the other human traits we assign to them.
They are just homeless pets, looking for a forever spot.
The first month to 6 weeks after bringing a new pet into your home can be classified as the honeymoon period.
Everything is wonderful. You love your new pet dearly. You can't imagine life without them. I have heard it all.
Then...the new pet figures out you love them. Most times if problems arise, they happen at the end of the honeymoon.
When a new animal enters your home, time is important. You would probably be surprised at the number of animals which are returned to shelters because, "it is just not working out."
What is not working out? Are they not exactly what you thought you were getting? This generally happens within the first week or two after taking your new pet home.
Please remember, just as you are getting to know your new pet, they are also having to learn their new owners. Sometimes, you get lucky. Your new pet acts exactly like you want which probably means they came from a household which had the same rules. Ahhh! Bliss.
Most times this doesn't happen. They go to the front door to go potty. You want them to go to the back. They want to sleep on the couch. You want them to sleep in the new bed you just bought them. The list goes on and on.
This adjustment period is the most important time in any pet's future. What was right in their old home is now wrong. They sometimes must make rapid and massive adjustments to how they act, just to fit in.
Please remember this adjustment period. They really don't want to be returned to the shelter to find another home. They just want to please you and are trying to figure out how. They are not getting you back, being vengeful, trying to make you feel guilty or any of the other human traits we assign to them.
They are just homeless pets, looking for a forever spot.
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