Home   >   Pets   >   Tips for bringing home a shelter dog

Tips for bringing home a shelter dog

By on December 27, 2010

Photo © Elena Derevtsova

 

Last month, I wrote about bringing home a puppy. This article is for those people who have decided to rescue a dog from a shelter. Shelter dogs come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and it is important to know how to help a dog make the transition from a shelter to a new home.

 

Dogs need order and leadership. They are pack animals, so you must be the ‘pack leader’ to ensure that your dog knows that you’re the boss. Dog owners may not know the temperament of their shelter dog, but they can make the transition from shelter to home easier, faster, and more rewarding by having a set of house rules.

 

The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition:

 

Before You Bring Your New Dog Home

Hold a family meeting to create rules about caring for the dog. Will he be allowed on the couch, the bed, and in all rooms of the house? Where will he sleep and eat? Who will be responsible for feeding? Who will walk him and clean up after him? As a family, you must all be consistent with your decisions or you will confuse the dog, typically resulting in the dog making his own rules and causing unnecessary tension, which can lead to undesirable behavior.

 

Have the necessary items your dog will need from the start: ID tags, a collar and a six-foot leash, food and water bowls, food, dog toys, a crate and bedding, and basic grooming tools.

 

Plan to bring your new dog home on a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. You will want that time to get to know each other and to establish rules and a trusting relationship. 

 

Just before you bring your dog into the home, take him for a walk to tire him out a little. Walks are not only good exercise, but they also serve as a training tool and an opportunity to establish you as the pack leader. 

 

Establish Ground Rules in the First Days

At first, limit your dog to one room or area. Allow him time to familiarize himself with the smells and sounds of his new home. Try to limit your time away from home those first days; your spending time with him will help him to become more comfortable in his new home.

 

Keep your dog on leash for the first few weeks so you can immediately teach him what behaviors are and are not acceptable.

 

Expect housetraining accidents. Your dog is in a new territory and is establishing a new routine, so accidents probably will happen. Review house training information available from the shelter, your veterinarian or your local Bark Busters trainer. The key is to be consistent and maintain a routine.

 

Dogs instinctively like to den, and a crate makes the ideal place for your dog to sleep and get away from household hubbub. A crate also makes housetraining and training easier, but limit the amount of time the dog is crated. The crate should be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. An alternative to a crate is to confine him in a dog-proofed part of your home, such as a laundry. You can use a baby gate or dog gate to block off the area from the rest of the house.

 

Most shelter dogs have been given basic vaccinations and many have already been spayed/neutered. It is important that your dog is examined by a veterinarian within a week after adoption for a health check. 

 

For the first few days, limit guest visits to allow your dog to get comfortable with his new family. When you do have guests, ask their help in training your dog by instructing them to not pay attention to him until he has calmed down. One way to communicate this request is to post a sign on your front door informing visitors that you have a new dog in training.

 

A Trained Dog Makes for a Happy Human-Canine Bond

Get guidance for training your dog. A well-trained dog is a happier dog and a joy to have around.

 

Dogs need a pack leader. If they don’t have one, then they try to become the leader, which can create numerous behavioral problems. Thus, you—and all the other people in your home (other than children under 12)—need to be higher up the pack hierarchy. Practice obedience training, set rules, and apply them calmly and consistently, and praise your dog’s good behavior. He will see you as his pack leader and will bond more quickly to you.

 

It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own, and once we understand it, we can communicate better what we expect of them.

 

A Bright Future

Hats off to you for bringing home a shelter dog! Your patience and training will help to create a bond that will reward you both for years to come. With the right balance of discipline, understanding and affection, your shelter dog will become a loyal, grateful, and loving companion.

 

Got a question? Ask the experts.

Ask our dog training experts a question about a dog behavioral issue, dog-training problems, or dogs in general. We’ll give you dog-training tips and dog-training advice in your quest for a well-behaved dog! Send your question to advice@barkbusters.co.jp. We will publish the questions and answers in an upcoming issue of Tokyo Families and the Bark Busters Japan website.

About Nick Christ