Rehoming a retired Mum or Dad
We are looking for experienced and committed owners to welcome one of our retired Labradors into their home. Our dogs are health tested and cleared of relevant inherited conditions through Orivet testing, up to date with vaccinations and parasite prevention, fed a premium diet and accustomed to regular veterinary care.
What our retired Mums and Dads need
Because our dogs have always lived with other dogs and people nearby, we are looking for homes with another dog or an owner who is mostly present during the day. They will not cope for long periods on their own.
Our retired Mums and Dads have also lived in a different environment to most family pets. While accustomed to people and routine handling, they have lived happy though sheltered lives with their canine friends and devoted humans on a semi-rural property with no passing traffic. They are predominately ‘outside dogs’ who are invited inside from time to time. When invited into the main house, our dogs have always been tethered on a leash on a dog bed. They will need time to adjust to life in a new home.
Helping adjust to their new environment
Our retired Mums and Dads often experience a period of transition when moving to a new environment. Like anyone adjusting to a major life change, they need time to feel safe, settled and confident in their new home. Every dog progresses at their own pace, but in general:
The first three days are about feeling safe in their new home.
The first three weeks are about bonding and building confidence with their new family.
The first three months are about gradually exploring their new world.
The first three days
The first three days should be calm, quiet and predictable as this will be a time of major adjustment for them. During this time, your new dog is learning that they are safe. They may appear withdrawn, unsettled or uncertain as they adjust to the loss of familiar canine friends, humans, routine and environment. While this can be distressing for new owners, this is completely normal. The focus during this time should be on building trust. After a few days, your retired Mum or Dad should begin to transition to you and their new environment.
We recommend:
Keeping the environment calm and low stimulation.
Providing a comfortable bed with a chew toy in a safe, warm, quiet space.
Feeding the same food they are used to.
Staying close but giving space. Allow them to come to you and to explore their new environment at their own pace.
The first three weeks
Once your dog begins to settle, the next step is strengthening your bond and gradually introducing them to their new world. Remember your new dog is still adjusting and too many new sights, sounds and smells will overwhelm their nervous system. After a few weeks your dog should begin bonding and building confidence with their new family.
We recommend:
Initially, keep outings short and positive.
Gentle short walks with plenty of opportunities to sniff and explore. This is not only as mentally stimulating as a 30–60-minute walk, but it also helps lower stress hormones.
A few short car trips to safely explore their new environment without becoming overwhelmed.
Avoiding too many new experiences at once. Meeting large numbers of people, visiting busy environments or undertaking lengthy adventures is best left until your dog is more settled and comfortable with you and their new home.
The first three months
The first three months will see your furry friend slowly adjusting to their new situation. Use these first few months to gradually introduce new experiences, initially one at a time and then slowly increasing the frequency and duration of those experiences. With patience, consistency and positive experiences, over the coming months your dog will continue to adapt to family life and learn the routines, expectations and manners that suit your household.
Ongoing Support
We are committed to finding great homes for our dogs and will be asking questions to ensure a perfect match! When given the time to settle, form a bond and gradually adapt to their new environment, our boys & girls go on to become loving, loyal and well-adjusted family members who live full lives. The transition requires patience and understanding. We will support you throughout the process. Please continue to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns or updates.
If you think you could provide the right home, we would love to hear from you!!
