Tips For Bringing Your New Dog Home
The Rules of 3
On average, a new dog takes 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to get used to your home, and 3 months to completely settle in with your family:
3 Days
Establish a routine for potty breaks and exercise
Introduce and enforce calmness, rules, and boundaries
Leash manners
Crate training
The first three days should be utilized to establish a routine with your new Pet for potty breaks and exercise. Your new Pet should be crated (or leashed) for the majority of this time. A crate provides your new Pet a safe place to observe and learn the routines of your home. During this time, you will want to introduce and enforce calmness, rules, and boundaries. Utilize several structured walks daily to teach your new Pet leash manners.
These first three days are NOT the time to be doing any introductions with other animals within your home (except for potential walks together) and to a lesser extent the children that reside within the home. Under no circumstances should your Pet be introduced to friends, neighbors, etc., or their canine companions, during this time. Try your best to reasonably limit your affection towards your new Pet during this time (as your affection and approval should be the highest reward provided to your new Pet); successful integration into your home is dependent on your ability to display leadership and instill confidence in your new Pet versus making you a potential target for manipulation (and yes, your new Pet is that smart). Nothing happens unless your new Pet is calm; leaving the crate, walking out the front door, eating, etc., should only occur when your new Pet is calm and focused on you.
3 Weeks
Obedience training
Socialization
Separation Anxiety
Dog introductions
Introductions to people
During the next three weeks, you will want to start basic obedience training. Teaching skills utilized to enforce a calm demeanor, such as “down,” “wait,” and “stay” instead of tricks like “shake,” or “rollover” are preferable during this period. This is also an optimum time to begin socializing your new Pet with other dogs and people (in a structured and well-controlled environment – dog parks should NOT be utilized during this period).
The people and dogs that you choose to introduce should be well mannered and able to respect the boundaries and displayed body language of your new Pet. When introducing to children, ensure they understand how to properly meet a dog (BEFORE you attempt to make introductions); basics should include refrain from reach for or leaning over your new Pet, pulling on a tail, or meeting the dog face to face. You need to ensure that you have confidence in and can trust the handler of any other dogs your new Pet meets. Immediately remove your new Pet from any situation whereby his/her body language is indicative of uneasiness.
During this time, continue to practice taking breaks from your new Pet. Utilize the crate for short periods of time, even while you are home. Do not let your new Pet follow you from room to room or hover at your feet all day long (this is done to prevent the creation or encouragement of separation anxiety). Put your new Pet in “place” while you do housework or sit in on a conference call. Practice a varying routine of leaving where you do not always do the exact same thing before leaving the house. Leave frequently for short periods so you can show your new Pet that leaving means you will come back; do not make a big deal about leaving or coming back. Leave your new Pet treats and fun things to occupy his/her time when you do leave (snuffle mats, puzzle toys, etc.).
3 Months
Enrichment
Road trips
Privileges/ Freedoms
Daycare
After three months, your new Pet should be very comfortable in your home; you’ve worked hard to establish and build trust! Continue all the structure you’ve established and practice your obedience several times a day as this is your communicative path to your Pet. You may now start to introduce privileges and freedom; if you would like your Pet to sleep with you, now is the time! The same goes for furniture and free-roam of the house (we continue to recommend crating at times when you will be absent from the home for longer periods of time). This is the time to take a road trip and experience new adventures together to cement your bond! Your Pet may now engage in new experiences like doggie daycare or playdates with larger groups of dogs and people (remember trust and control will remain paramount to your dog’s success)!
