Twelve years ago, I fell in love with a quiet, meek yellow fraidy-dog who had, ironically, been named by his previous owner, “Argonaut” after the bold sailor Jason. I was a volunteer groomer at an animal shelter, and every week when I saw his name was on the bath list, I eagerly sought him out. At first, he had to be carried into the room, because he was too scared to walk. He would crouch down on the bottom of the tub, which I had lined with a soaking towel for comfort, and allow me to gently sponge him with warm lather. It was during the drying and brushing phase that I learned how much he secretly liked petting. He would lean into my hand provided I didn’t suddenly move, and his eyes would soften. He was adorable and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I realized I was in trouble when I started to actually worry that he would get adopted. It was then I knew I had to put my name in the hat. As it turned out, there weren’t too many takers. Argie was very fearful, and as soon as someone tried to meet him, he would completely lose his bowels. It wasn’t an attractive quality. I was sure, though, that I could help him. And I was motivated, because I had fallen in love.
As a dog trainer, I am not one of those people who believes in lining everything up perfectly and making sure every groove exactly fits when it comes to matchmaking between dogs and their prospective human guardians. I really do believe that, sometimes you just fall in love and sometimes you make it work. So, here are some tips towards making a new match work for you:
If you’re able to set it up, arrange to stay home for at least a few days, if not a week or two. Working from home, if possible, is a nice way to help your dog transition into your environment and give you time to really get to know your dog and figure out what he or she needs to successfully become a member of your family.
Quick house-training tip! For your sake, it’s a good idea to show your dog where the bathroom is outside, before you first enter the house with your dog. Don’t assume your new dog understands where to go. Some dogs pee when they are excited, and some dogs just don’t know what to do in a new place. Even if a shelter or rescue tells you the dog is housetrained, it’s possible the observations were accurate in only one situation. Your new dog might not be foolproof in another environment or when change is afoot. Always assume your new friend doesn’t know where the bathroom is and show them a good spot. The nice thing about this strategy is if you have a preference (e.g., you’d rather not have dog urine on the spot where you plan to grow your vegetables next spring), you can cultivate where their normal toileting spot should be from the very first day. This can be accomplished by taking your dog to this designated “potty spot” and hanging out with him while he does his business, then cheering and giving him a cookie for a job well done in the right place.
Don’t be surprised if, when you bring your dog home, he or she sleeps a lot for the first few days. Dogs who have been in a temporary situation of any kind, however nice that situation might be, are often stressed by change. Sleeping is a sign that they are comfortable. It’s like when you come home from traveling on a business trip and sink into a familiar bed. In your case, the dog’s bed is likely new, or maybe was used by another dog, but it still has that whiff of…. Dare he hope?... home.
Sleeping is a sign of comfort.
It is okay if your dog sleeps a lot for the first few days. Temporary situations of any kind can be stressful. Sleeping is a sign your new dog is comfortable, and resting! He’s finally home.
Keep your dog safe when he is outside. Plan to keep your dog on leash at all times when outside or at least safely enclosed with a high wooden fence. Other types of fences may be adequate, but if you plan to let your dog out at some point unsupervised, you should go outside with him every time for the first few weeks. Some dogs climb fences, other dogs look for holes along the bottom, and yet others simply have springs for legs. It may take awhile for your dog to learn the normal sounds and activities in his new neighborhood, and until he does, it’s possible something he’s not familiar with will spook him and cause him to bolt; or you may discover he is an intrepid adventurer and might be prone to wandering off if you aren’t actively watching.
Assume that your dog doesn’t yet know exactly how to be the best member of the family and will need some crafty set-ups to ensure bad habits don’t set in. Hindsight’s always 20-20 and you may learn that your new pal has a proclivity for shoes. Err on the side of proactive management from the get-go to help your dog “win” from the beginning. Set up a nice cozy “den”, such as a crate, and check to see if your dog may be comfortable there – toss a treat in, then out, then in, then out – so he doesn’t think you’re going to trick him into staying there. Have a wonderful chew-toy available for him to enjoy when he goes in – such as a scrumptious stuffed Kong or Toppl – and let this serve as a blissful pacifier for spending some quiet time alone.
Sometimes bringing a new dog home is done on impulse, but acting impulsively doesn’t mean you can’t still be smart about easing your dog into their new life with you. Put a little bit of thought into the first few days. Adjust how your home is set up, and consider how you’ll incorporate your dog’s needs into your daily schedule (some of those needs will fill your needs, too, I wager!). Taking a few practical steps like this will go a long way to ensuring a lifetime of success. If you get stuck, hire a positive reinforcement trainer to help you or consider taking some group classes for the fun and camaraderie, and for the little bits of practical wisdom you may pick up along the way!
A version of this ‘blog was published in the quarterly magazine 4 Legs & a Tail, Northern VT & New Hampshire edition, March 4, 2020.