Bringing Your Dog Home
The following instructions are designed to prevent misunderstandings and to give the dog the best possible chance of a successful transition into your home. Regardless of how friendly your dog appears, they are likely confused and stressed moving to a new environment. Remember, you don’t know the dog yet and — more importantly — the dog doesn’t know you yet.
Spend this first week giving them the space to settle in and do not overwhelm the dog with affection, interaction, obedience, new experiences, or places. Although you may be eager to show your dog their wonderful new life, the most compassionate and constructive things to offer is patience, space, and a quiet place to adjust.
Day 1
After allowing the dog to use the bathroom outside (they may not go), give them a brief home tour then guide them into the crate using the leash for 1.5 hours. You may leave the leash on during this first period since you’ll be home to disagree with any chewing or barking.
After this period, take them out for bathroom access, then allow limited free time in a supervised area inside for a few hours. You’ll be holding, stepping on, or allowing the dog to drag the leash.
Important reminders:
In the beginning, use the 3-hour rule: 1 hour in the crate, out for the bathroom, 2 hours free, repeat.
Plan to leave the house on Day 1 for 30-60 mins and slowly increase the duration to a few hours minimum daily.
Avoid grabbing the collar and instead, use the leash to communicate and expect to leave it on the first 7 days
From day 1, set rules: no begging for food, the dog waits for your cue before going out the door, they stay out of the kitchen while food is being prepared, and off the furniture.
Do:
Mainly ignore dogs, don’t spoil them with attention
Disagree with unwanted behavior with “No” or “Eh Eh”
Get on a house training routine 3-hour rule
Implement house rules from the beginning
Keep walks short and calm in quiet neighborhoods, avoiding people, dogs, and commotion.
Leave the house 30-60min (twice/day) starting on Day 1, dog crated
Crate the dog when unsupervised, left home alone, overnight, and during feedings.
Always feed in the crate
Invite them to approach for a brief chin-scratch or two.
Don’t:
Don’t invite excitement, play, or anything to rile up the dog including wrestling, toys, fetch, or egging on. (This one is sort of always)
Don’t go for big walks and avoid crowded areas, parks, tight spaces or head-on confrontations with dogs, people, bikes, strollers.
Don’t have large gatherings, although we will ask you to host a guest on Day 3, more below.
Don’t take the dog to work, restaurants, the vet outside of emergencies
Don’t cuddle, snuggle, or smother – you don’t know each other yet.