Start your rescue dog off right
Whether you're a first-time or regular adopter of a rescue or shelter dog, you know how exciting (and a bit nerve wracking) it can be when your new dog arrives.
Read on for my top tips to help them (and you) settle in.
Denali, above, is an adult dog who was taken in by a kind family member due to a death in the extended family. He’s now enjoying life in Vermont with his loving new people.
Start off on the right paw
Have ready before your dog arrives:
Food and water stations
A house-training plan on the fridge. Keep the dog’s harness on the rest of the day to facilitate housetraining and give her frequent leashed breaks outside.
Cozy bed(s) for sleeping and resting.
Treats, chew-toys and food toys — get a variety as your dog will have preferences.
Let your new dog explore the house, under your supervision.
A dog-proofed containment area for when we can’t supervise and to teach safe alone-time.
Let him relax, quietly, on his own.
In the coming days
Supervise so you can interrupt housetraining and chewing lapses as they start and redirect the dog to the right place or right toy.
Help your dog get it right: provide chew toys, praise her when she uses them, and put away items you don’t want her to chew.
When you can’t supervise, confine your dog to one area to make dog-proofing, clean-up and supervision easier.
Use baby gates or x-pen dividers to block off space, not a closed door!Don’t reward barking by returning. Get him used to being alone by coming and going many times for very short periods the first few days you have him, all done matter-of-factly. Teach him to love his crate by putting treats and toys in there for him to discover.
Wait a week or so before having people over to meet your new buddy
Give random treats (no reason required) and gently praise when your dog takes them. Only do this if your dog is clearly comfortable appraoching you and taking treats from your hand. She’ll then learn:
People's hands predict good things
You = Delicious Treats
To build her confidence in approaching people
If your dog seems skittish or shy
I know, you want everyone to meet your new best friend. But give him time to settle into his new routine before having people over. A week or so is good decompression time.
Then, don’t take it for granted that he will be friendly to all people, even if he jumped in your lap on your first meeting.
Socialization is specific: dogs who are comfortable around adults are not necessarily well-socialized to children, and dogs who like women won’t necessarily like men. Your dog’s behaivior gives you information: make note of it while playing it safe around new people.
Nobody should reach for or touch your dog if your dog hasn’t moseyed up to them first. This is called “pro-social” behavior, and is in contrast to anti-social behavior (obvious fight or flight) and the less obvious “asocial” behavior, which is a dog simply standing still. An asocial dog is also giving you behavioral information, but it may be harder to interpret his feelings about things.
Never force a shy or skittish dog to meet someone.
Dogs have the right to indicate with their body language “No, thanks, I’d rather not meet you”
If anyone reaches for or tries to call or lure over your asocial dog, slow them down. You might say “Fluffy is frightened of new people and my trainer says to leave her be while we work on it.” Rinse and repeat as often as needed.
Having them gently toss treats to your dog can be a pleasant interaction for both your friend and your dog.
Never have your asocial or fearful dog take treats directly from someone’s hand, or have them lure the dog over with treats. That can backfire badly for both the person and your dog.
If your dog wants contact with the person, he’ll approach. All dogs have the right to say “no” and we want them doing this without their teeth. To keep your dog on the road to believing the world is a safe place, prove to him that people don’t make contact unless he initiates it. Empower him to have the choice.