Behavioral Help
Welcome Home
The transition from an animal shelter to home environment is a significant one. Between new smells, people, and animals, pet owners can take extra steps to ensure a healthy, safe, and stress-free transition.
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Our adoption counselors are experienced professionals and will provide information for any questions that you have related to the transition.
Introductions
Welcoming a new family member can invoke a range of emotions for your already established pets. Tranquility and peace in a home can be achieved through patience and practice.​ Review these common introduction techniques for a stress free transition:
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Pets & Kids
Bringing a new pet into a home with children should be done carefully with lots of parental guidance and supervision. Teaching appropriate animal handling skills will reduce the risk of injury to pets and children.
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Our animal care staff does their best to evaluate the behavior of our adoptable animals to determine if they are suitable to live with children. Safety is our priority!
Problem Behaviors
Litter box issues, destructive scratching, resource guarding, potty training... The list of problem behaviors that can arise with pets is extensive! But don't worry, with guidance and patience, problems can be resolved so you can regain a peaceful home. Best Friends offers a great resource site that covers a wide variety of topics, click the button to search for helpful articles.
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We highly encourage you to enroll your pet in basic obedience classes early, before problems arise.
When to Call the Experts
Some common behavior problems can be caused by underlying medical issues. We always recommend consulting your veterinarian if your pet is doing something out of the ordinary or not responding to behavior modification.
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If your pet requires rehabilitation or is suffering from the effects of aging, we recommend contacting Four Paws Rehabilitation to learn about the various ways they can help your pet heal and manage pain.