When you fall in love with a new fluff ball at the shelter or at the breeder’s, you can’t wait to bring home your new dog. However, love at first sight doesn’t mean smooth sailing! There’s going to be a transition period where your dog needs time and patience to get to know you and his new home. Did you know it takes 30 days for your new dog to settle in? (FYI — not a good time to parade your new dog around town or host a clown convention at your house during this time!)
There are five things you gotta think about to make this transition easier for you and your new dog. What are they?
1. Create a safe, cozy Doggie Den.
I like using my kitchen as a Doggie Den, because it’s in the middle of the house, where we are often. I put a sleeping mat, blanket, bully stick, toys, novelty items, and food toys…all the comforts of home. This gives your dog a secure place to learn the rules and routines of his new family. So make sure you consistently communicate what you want him to do. I encourage you to begin Alone Training where you practice departures and returning. And enjoy Brain Games like Find It! or the Snuffle Mat.
2. Teach Polite Greetings of Humans, Dogs & Other Animals.
You don’t want your Great Dane jumping up on grandma, so nip that behavior in the bud. Leash training begins NOW! Think of the leash as a way to guide your dog to good manners, one baby step/treat at a time.
3. How to Stop Using Treats.
At first, you will use food treats A LOT to get your dog’s attention and obedience, but the end goal is that their good behavior isn’t dependent on getting food treats. Using food for distraction is okay, but when food becomes a bribe for expected behavior, you’re slowing down the learning process. There are three primary ways to wean your dog off of treats:
- Life Rewards — These rewards are the things they’ve learned to enjoy doing…but now they have to earn them. Do you want to go for a walk? Sit first…then we’ll go. Do you want to play with this toy? cChill and touch my fist…now we’ll play.
- Premack Principle — This is counterintuitive behavior. Ask your dog to do a harder thing, before being rewarded with their simpler, desired behavior.
- Play as Reward — Ultimately work must come before play.
4. How to Walk on Leash.
Not surprisingly, the dog you bring home, will not know how to leash walk. It’s important to get your dog’s attention on you. Here’s a simple exercise to get started.
5. Focus on These 5!
The five obedience behaviors every dog needs are: Sit; Stay; Come here/attention; Leash Walking; and Say Please. Say please is irresistible! That’s when they sit and wait nicely and their cute little faces say, “pleeeeeeease!”
A puppy will take time learning these new skills, because there’s so much new world for them to explore, and they’re attention span is minimal. But a year old dog can learn these skills and become a well-behaved member of the household, within a month. When you bring home a new dog, practice these skills a little every day and have FUN! You can do this! If you enjoyed this information, you’ll enjoy the next free Shelter Dog Webinar. Make sure you’re signed up for my DogGoneFun! newsletter to get your special invite.