Training Essentials
Bringing home a new dog
Watch this short video from our friends at Blue Man Dog Rescue about some key things to know when bringing home a new dog.
Building a strong foundation
Crate training
We require all of our fosters to crate their dogs at night, periodically during the day, and when they leave home. Some dogs take to it more quickly than others, but they all learn with consistency and practice. We do not allow foster dogs in our program to sleep in the human’s bed at night as this can increase the likelihood of separation anxiety.
It is crucial that the dog learns to be home alone, so we ask that from the first day, humans leave home (while the dog is in the crate) for at least an hour increasing tolerance to longer periods.
Boundaries and thresholds
Dogs thrive with structure so we ask fosters to create the following house rules: no begging for food, waiting before going out the door, staying out of the kitchen while food is being prepared, and staying off the furniture.
House training
The transition to a new home is often when potty training needs to be reinforced, even for a dog who has lived in a home before. Crate training helps as dogs are reluctant to make a mess in the crate, but it is still advised that humans give their dogs frequent breaks to go outside in the beginning and praise the dog when they do their business outside.
Walks
Leash manners are an important skill for all companion dogs. We host weekly leash walking classes with fosters to help train the dogs to walk nicely without pulling and expect fosters to practice these skills at home first, in quiet areas and incrementally exposing their dogs to new environments. Walking with the dog is also a great way for dogs to bond with their new people.
Handling
Affection
Please limit affection for the first couple of weeks. Overwhelming a new dog with cuddles might seem comforting, but it can increase the chance the dog will develop separation anxiety which is the starting place for many behavioral problems. It is important to let them get used to their new home without the pressure of interaction from you and learn that affection is on your terms, not when they ask for it. This is even more important in a home with multiple dogs so they can bond with each other and do not start competing over human attention.
When to and how to pet
A dog that is feeling anxious, wary, possessive, insecure, or pushy may nudge, lean, paw, or demand a pet. Please do not affirm these behaviors. Instead, to ensure engaging the right state of mind, make sure that YOU call the dog up and initiate and end the pet. Only touch your dog when they are calm and do not invite excitement. If touch stirs them up, remove your hands and re-engage when they are calm. Make these moments intentional, infrequent, and earned. Asking your dog to come up also allows the dog to give their consent for touch.
Conditioning touch
Both big and small dogs often need to get used to being touched; handling the ears, face, paws, and so on. Once you’ve gotten to know each other, please practice a little with them every day, noting places where they like or dislike being touched. Go slow and practice brief, positive connotations with touch.
Toys and bones
Please do not give toys or bones. This is especially important when multiple animals are in the home as they can quickly become a resource to fight over. Once you know and trust your dog, a kong or benebone is acceptable enrichment. Do not attempt to take toys or bones directly from the dog. Teaching “drop it” can be useful but will take time. If you need to remove an item from your dog, offer a trade or use a leash. Alternatively, you can use a water spray bottle to create space between the object and the dog so you can claim it. Keep your eye on the dog and make sure the dog yields the object to you before reaching for the object with your hand.
Exposure & real world skills
Shelter dogs have a limited history and some may be experiencing almost everything for the first time. It’s important to take things at a pace appropriate for each dog, but exposure and acclimation is essential to building confidence.
The 3 categories of socialization: people, places, and pups!
Exposing the dog to new people, new environments, and getting them time around other dogs is important to their growth. We coach fosters through how and when to start exposing the dog to new people and places. Per city liability rules, foster dogs can’t go to a dog park, daycare, or boarding facility. Dogs in our program will have the opportunity to socialize with other foster dogs at leash walking class and playgroup. We can also connect well-matched foster dogs for playdates.
Basic obedience
Once behavioral ground rules have been set, teach it can be fun to teach basic obedience. Adopters love it when a dog knows “sit,” “down” or “high five”!
Practice riding in the car
Some dogs like it, others don’t. But like most things, practice can make it easier. This may mean practicing loading up a few times, sitting in the car without going anywhere then graduating to short rides, and always a calm exit!
