"Replacing" a Deceased Pet

If you experienced the death of a beloved pet, then you may have thought that you would never get another. Losing a pet is like losing a family member, and you will never be able to replace what you lost. If you have decided to welcome a new pet into the family, then you may be experiencing mixed feelings about the whole situation. In fact, you may be expecting the new pet to act like the old. Unfortunately, these thoughts may make weaken your bond with the new pooch. Here are a few tips to make the transition to a new pet a little bit smoother.

If you are bringing a puppy into your home, then it’s extremely important that you realize just that: he’s a puppy! Many owners make the mistake of getting frustrated with their puppies, constantly comparing them to the old dogs that have passed. Well, more than likely your dog was not a puppy when he died. Yes, he may have been calmer and more obedient, but he was not a puppy. Puppies need time and attention. They have to spend time learning the rules of the house, along with the things they can and cannot do. So, tip number one: don’t compare the actions of a puppy to those of an older dog.

On the same note as comparing a puppy’s actions to those of an older dog, try not to get your memories confused. For instance, your deceased pet may have been a crazy, rambunctious, impossible-to-train puppy. But over the years, he calmed down, learned to be obedient, and eventually fit into your lifestyle. He fit in so well with the family (after much time and practice) that you may have forgotten what a mischievous puppy he was in the beginning. As with many memories, we eventually forget the “bad” things and tend to focus on the good. This is fine, but do not shy away from these memories at the expense of your new puppy.

The second tip to keep in mind during the transition is to start training early. As mentioned before, your new puppy isn’t going to automatically follow the same rules as your older dog. He will need to learn them. Even if you adopt an adult dog, he will still need to be trained in the ways of your household. If you wait to start training, then you will be constantly focusing on what the dog does wrong instead of what he does right. As a result, you may spend less time playing and bonding with the puppy, which can lead to even messier, attention-seeking behaviors. Start training as soon as possible, so that you can teach your new dog the ways you want him to behave.

The third tip is one of the most important: do not compare the new dog to the old. There are multiple comparisons you can make between dogs. You can compare the way they act, the way they play, the way they cuddle, the way they learn, etc. But, you must realize that all dogs are different. Even if you had your pooch that passed away cloned, the new pup would not act like the old. Dogs learn at their own paces. It may take the new dog twice as long to learn how to housetrain, but he may pick up on obedience tricks and commands much more quickly.

The last tip is the most obvious one: give it time. It may take awhile to train a new pup, but your efforts will pay off. Eventually, the new guy will fit in just like the old, becoming one of your most beloved family members. But, if you give up early, then you’ll never know what your life with the new dog could be like.

If you think it’s time to replace a deceased pet in your family, then do so with care. Bringing home a new pet can be a great thing, as long as you are committed to training and molding the animal to fit your lifestyle. The worst thing you can do with a new dog is to constantly compare him to the old. Remember that each dog is different than the others. He will learn in his own way and on his own time. If you keep with it, then you will soon have a great addition to the family.


This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio dog doors and large pet beds.