The time has come to add to your family and bring home your new dog.

This is great news! The beginning of a wonderful new chapter for you and your family.

To ensure a great start to your new relationship we have prepared a few tips on preparing for your new dog.

 

Dog-Proofing Your Home

When welcoming a new dog into your home, regardless of the age of the dog, you should prove it much like you would for a toddler.

Examine your home in terms of what your new dog may have access to, things like electrical cords, garbage cans, cabinets, cat boxes, kitchen counters, fragile items,

and common household hazards. Dogs are not beyond searching for snacks underneath the bathroom sink, nor are they conscious that their tails can knock all precious items off a coffee table.

Here is a quick checklist that can help you in the house-proofing process. Take a tour of your house and see it through the eyes of your dog:

Are all fragile items off coffee tables?

Are your candles out of the dog’s reach?

Are your electrical cords (or anything else your new dog can chew, trip or entangle itself in) secured?

Are your other pets kept in a safe and secure area?

Is your yard completely fenced in?

Are there any loose panels or gaps in your fence that your new dog can escape through?

Are any of the plants or chemicals you use in your home or yard poisonous to dogs?

Are all of your trash cans secured? 

 

In case of....

Even if you haven't picked out a name yet or are not sure if you want to keep your new dog's name (in the case of a rescue dog) we strongly advise getting an identification tag. It will at least have your name and phone number on it, which makes all the difference, should your dog get lost.

 

Stay calm

When your dog gets dropped off everyone must remain calm.

It can be tempting to greet the new family member with excitement, but this is not the time to do it. Accept the dog into your space, but do not give more than a minimum of attention or affection yet.

The dog has been removed from a place that’s become familiar and taken somewhere entirely new and will be confused and unsure.

Try to remain calm through the entire process of the initial greeting and the dog exploring its new surroundings. We understand this can be challenging but try to be your most supportive for a positive experience.

 

What Your Dog Needs

Please keep in mind that it can be overwhelming to any animal, who has only known a small cage for the past days, weeks, or months, to have full access to your home.

Some of the dogs that are being rehomed by us have never been part of a home and have only known the outdoors in form of living on the street or in an unsafe backyard, etc.

So it can get a little much for some dogs.

• Provide your dog with a “safe place,” such as a snuggly crate, a warm bed, or a safe zone like a bathroom or bedroom.

• Avoid large, open spaces as to not frighten the dog as their instinct will tell them to find cover.

• Provide your dog with daily exercise. Taking a daily walk is so beneficial and will help you and your dog to bond even more!

• Keep in mind that anytime your dog is outside of a securely fenced area or your home, it should be on a leash. No recall is perfect and your new dog needs time to get to know you

  and know you can be trusted before being allowed off the lead.

• Provide constant access to fresh, clean water so your dog is healthy, hydrated and comfortable.

• Toys are an important part of keeping your dog entertained, and they can also serve as a stress reliever, especially for his first few days in a new home.

  If you are unsure what toys the dog will like, a safe choice is most times a simple tennis ball or squeaky ball. You can always take your dog with you to the store to find another toy once they have gotten used to you.

• Provide a safe quiet place for your dog to eliminate (outside or inside on pee pads) in order to make house training run smoothly. This applies to dogs of all ages until you get to know them and their habits.

• Daily human contact and positive socialization are extremely important, particularly for the first few days. Your dog might cry or whine, sleep a lot, seem stressed, pace, or show anxious behaviour during their transition into your home. Do your best to be patient with these behaviours, even if they are difficult for you to see. It’s easiest to set good habits now than try to break bad habits later. 

• Keep in mind that dogs love routine and try to get your new pet onto a schedule as soon as possible. Having a set idea of what to expect each day will make your dog feel more comfortable. Additionally, try

  not to coddle your dog while he is displaying this type of nervous behaviour, as this can reinforce it and lead to separation anxiety issues

  .

To sum up:

The first few hours to days (minimum) should be just for your dog to acclimate.

Don't worry about behaviours, training (except potty training), etc. Just let your dog soak in its new surroundings. The only "training" to do the first couple of days is potty training. Set a specific schedule and stick to it. For most dogs, you should take your new dog out every 30-45 minutes.

If you have other dogs in your home, have your new dog meet on neutral ground. This can help avoid territoriality and resource guarding. If you are not sure how your resident dog will act towards a newcomer and vice versa ensure they can meet at their own pace. Pay close attention and give them time to get used to each other. Don't force them and separate them if needed.

The first training, once your dog is acclimated, is to work on basic focus behaviours, name recognition, and impulse control (like sitting for their food).

Above all, focus on your relationship in those first few days and weeks! Do things to improve your bonds like playtime, walks, mental exercise (like snuffle mats or Kong Toys), and other things to help your dog gain confidence and feel comfortable!

 

Remember, stay patient and understand that each dog learns at a different pace!