Bringing Home your New Rescue Dog
The Acclimation PerioDThe first 30-60 days (with some dogs it may be longer) with your new dog should be calm, quiet and of course active and engaging. While it's important and great to keep your dog exercised, you can do so without overwhelming them. Take your dog on long walks, hikes and such… however, do not allow kids, people and other dogs to meet and overwhelm your dog when doing so. Your new dog is going through a massive transition.. their whole life is going to be turned upside-down. It is up to you to make sure you are keeping your dog within their comfort zone and not overwhelming them. Hold back from having a lot of visitors over to meet the new love of your life and from taking them to busy areas like PetCo or dog park... your dog will be getting to know you, their new routine and taking in all that their new life has to offer. This is also a time where your dog will be most vulnerable. Use this time to allow your dog to settle in and trust you. Listen to your dog’s body language to ensure all of the situations you are putting him/her in are positive and are you are setting up for success.
Check out SPEAK DOG! and the Trust Point System pages for some helpful insight! |
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The First Day... and Weeks that Follow
Before leaving the shelter or rescue, ensure your dog is on secure and a well sized leash and collar. When you arrive home, before exiting the car, please make sure you have a good hold of your new dogs leash. Some dogs tend to DASH when they see an open door.. you want to make sure they are secure and safe, always! An escaped dog is one of the most common occurrences that people experience with newly adopted dogs.
When you get home, take your dog for a walk outside around the front and backyard first, then bring them inside. Let him/her sniff around and get acquainted with their new surroundings. Even if you have a securely fenced yard, be sure to keep your new pup on a leash for added control and safety. A long line is another great option to have during this time. With all the newness going on around your new pup, he/she might be feeling overwhelmed and will may be hard to call back to you.
When you get home, take your dog for a walk outside around the front and backyard first, then bring them inside. Let him/her sniff around and get acquainted with their new surroundings. Even if you have a securely fenced yard, be sure to keep your new pup on a leash for added control and safety. A long line is another great option to have during this time. With all the newness going on around your new pup, he/she might be feeling overwhelmed and will may be hard to call back to you.
Introduction into the New HouseWhen you bring your new pup in to the house for the first time, stay calm and relaxed to model the appropriate mood for your dog. Dogs are VERY good at picking up on people's energy and if they sense you are anxious or concerned, they will believe it is how THEY should be acting too. Stay close by as he/she explores - give your new pup the opportunity to sniff around and explore each and every room in the house. Even if there are rooms you want to have closed off to your dog, allow them to take a quick sniff of those areas to satisfy their curiosity. Ideally there should be nothing left around that you don't want them to potentially get ahold of. If your dog is nervous about something, use some treats to create a positive association; be sure to keep things fluid and positive. |
Helpful tip!Use a drag leash! Buy a thin leash and cut the handle off of the end so he can drag it around without it getting stuck. Keep this drag leash on your dog at all times in the house. Always take off when they are left alone or in the crate. If your dog is shy, the drag leash can help by gaining gentle control of him indirectly. If you’re bringing home a more energetic pup, the drag leash can be useful to gain quick control over your dog if he decides to hop up on the coffee table or if he grabs a pair of shoes. Grabbing the end of a leash is WAY less threatening than trying to grab the collar! |
After the initial tour of the land, plan on some quiet time to help your new pup get adjusted. Settle in to your favorite spot, even on the floor and allow them to just be. Give him/her space if they are feeling a bit too overwhelmed. Keep things light and easy. The most important is to be observant, not to push things, and to take them outside far more often than you think you need to in order to jump start the house training process. DON'T WORRY if they seem a bit anxious and unsettled. It is common for the first few days, even weeks, and often goes away once the environment starts to become familiar.
Interactions with family members
The main goal of each interaction is for it to be a positive, non-invasive, pressure free experience for the dog. That is mostly likely achieved if everyone is calm and low key so that the new dog is not overwhelmed. This is especially important if the dog is a bit cautious, and if there are children in the house!
EVERYONE (kids and adults alike) should refrain from invading the dogs space. This includes picking up the dog, hugging and kissing the dog, going over and petting the dog, bothering them while they're sleeping, laying down or eating/chewing a bone. All of these actions are ones that many kids will be inclined to do, but dogs find them very threatening.. especially when done by someone they do not know or trust.. which will be all of you in the beginning.
EVERYONE (kids and adults alike) should refrain from invading the dogs space. This includes picking up the dog, hugging and kissing the dog, going over and petting the dog, bothering them while they're sleeping, laying down or eating/chewing a bone. All of these actions are ones that many kids will be inclined to do, but dogs find them very threatening.. especially when done by someone they do not know or trust.. which will be all of you in the beginning.
The BEST ways to interact with your new dog in the beginning:
Be calm, patient, and approachable. That means standing or squatting quietly, turned a little bit to the side, and you should wait to let the dog approach. Everyone should talk in a calm voice and avoid hovering over the dog. If the dog approaches, scratching or petting the under the chin or chest is the best way to say hello & thanks for coming to say hi. If the dog shies away, hold off on any attempts to make physical contact ,at least for now....you don't want to force the situation, this can cause barriers to establishing trust and lengthen the adjustment period for your new forever 4-legged friend.
Practice the 3-Second-Pet-Rule - Use the 3 Second Pet Rule and take little breaks when petting to ensure you are not mindlessly petting a dog when they may actually be feeling overwhelmed.
Does the dog move away? Is the dog stiff and still while you’re petting them relax when you stop? This indications the dog isn’t fully comfy with your petting.
Does the dog come closer or nudge your hand? This shows the dog enjoyed being pet and is asking for more.
When you cease petting, it will allow the dog an opportunity to choose to move away or to stay close. Giving them a choice in the matter will surely gain trust points between you both!
When interacting always be sure to create and open and inviting space. To ensure you are doing this, never pet a dog when they may feel trapped. Look at the space around them, create an imaginary box with four sides. 2 (preferably 3) of those sides should ALWAYS be open so the dog can feel free to move away. This includes cornering on the couch or having multiple people pet the dog at once.
Be calm, patient, and approachable. That means standing or squatting quietly, turned a little bit to the side, and you should wait to let the dog approach. Everyone should talk in a calm voice and avoid hovering over the dog. If the dog approaches, scratching or petting the under the chin or chest is the best way to say hello & thanks for coming to say hi. If the dog shies away, hold off on any attempts to make physical contact ,at least for now....you don't want to force the situation, this can cause barriers to establishing trust and lengthen the adjustment period for your new forever 4-legged friend.
Practice the 3-Second-Pet-Rule - Use the 3 Second Pet Rule and take little breaks when petting to ensure you are not mindlessly petting a dog when they may actually be feeling overwhelmed.
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- 1. Only make contact with the dog in 3 second intervals. For more sensitive dogs, you can do one or two seconds!
Does the dog move away? Is the dog stiff and still while you’re petting them relax when you stop? This indications the dog isn’t fully comfy with your petting.
Does the dog come closer or nudge your hand? This shows the dog enjoyed being pet and is asking for more.
When you cease petting, it will allow the dog an opportunity to choose to move away or to stay close. Giving them a choice in the matter will surely gain trust points between you both!
When interacting always be sure to create and open and inviting space. To ensure you are doing this, never pet a dog when they may feel trapped. Look at the space around them, create an imaginary box with four sides. 2 (preferably 3) of those sides should ALWAYS be open so the dog can feel free to move away. This includes cornering on the couch or having multiple people pet the dog at once.
Written by Jamie Ianello, IAABC-SBA
