Welcoming Your New Dog Home!

It takes time and patience to establish a relationship. Here are some suggestions to help your new furry family member transition smoothly into your home.

• Give a nice walk & potty break to calm your pup before getting in your car for the ride home.
• Introduce your dog to their new outdoor environment first and give another potty break opportunity in the area you would like them to use for elimination. Wait until your pet is settled before you lead the way through the door and into your home.
• A smaller area of your home furnished with a bed and water bowl will provide a comfortable “Safe Haven”. The kitchen is a good choice because it’s easy to clean and usually located near the door to go outside. Use a baby gate to contain your pet in their safe haven while allowing them to acclimate to the sounds, smells and sights of their new home. Keep a short drag leash on and supervise as your dog investigates the new environment. The short leash allows you to manage your pet without grabbing its collar. Don’t overwhelm your dog by allowing immediate access to your entire home; a slow introduction over time is best.
• Leash walk in a designated potty area to establish a predictable elimination schedule. Use a command word like “potty” just as your pet starts to eliminate. Don’t confuse potty walks with playtime. You can use play or a treat as a reward after your pet does their business.
• Crate Training is highly recommended, as it provides a safe place or “den” for your dog overnight or while you’re away. It’s a great housetraining tool too.
• Feed twice a day and change the water often. Have your dog sit and calmly wait for their food before putting down the bowl.
• Dogs need plenty of exercise for both mind & body. A “Loose Leash Walk”“ during which you set the pace & direction is a great way to exercise your dog and reinforce your leadership. You decide when play sessions begin & end. If you throw a ball every time your dog drops it at your feet, who is training whom? Wait until your dog looks up at YOU rather than the ball in your hand and reward that attention with play. A “Properly Exercised” dog is a happy dog!
• Nurture calmness with your talk & touch. An over-excited mind leads to frantic energy and unacceptable behaviors like jumping & excessive barking.
• Your ability to provide leadership, consistency, safety and security in a calm environment will result in a lifetime of happiness with your pet.

CONGRATULATIONS on your new canine family member!

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog

1. Housetrained
   Older dogs are housetrained. You won’t have to go through the difficult stage(s) of housebreaking or teaching a puppy proper house manners.
2. Won’t chew inappropriate items
   Older dogs won’t chew your shoes and furniture like a teething puppy will while growing up.
3. Focus to learn
   Older dogs can focus well because they’ve mellowed and can therefore learn more quickly.
4. Know what “no” means
   Older dogs have learned what “no” means. If they hadn’t learned it, they wouldn’t have gotten to be “older” dogs.
5. Settle in with the Family
   Older dogs settle in easily, because they’ve learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Good at giving love
   Older dogs are good at giving love. They are grateful for the second chance they’ve been given.
7. WYSIWYG
   What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Instant companions
   Older dogs are instant companions — ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
9. Time for yourself
   Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don’t make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. A good night’s sleep
    Older dogs let you get a good night’s sleep because they’re accustomed to human schedules and don’t generally need extra bathroom breaks. They’re happy to have a nice place to comfortably sleep with the family they love.